A toolbox for transitioning from student to veterinarian: Setting yourself up for success and reframing failure in your first year of practice

Abstract

The transition from veterinary student to private practice vet­erinarian is difficult. As a practitioner, one must put into action what was learned in veterinary school. Being a mixed large ani­mal veterinarian poses additional challenges due to the ambu­latory nature of the job. Clinical skills are important to master, and they will develop over time; but it is important to also con­sider intangible skills, such as cultivating fingertip facts, un­derstanding appropriate applications of chemical and physical restraint, honing one’s planning abilities, communicating with clients, maintaining relationships with mentors, and refram­ing failure. This presentation will highlight the experience of Dr. Dayna Locitzer as a recent graduate in mixed large animal practice and illustrate how she used these intangible skills to help with the transition from student to practitioner.