#130: The Joyful Emergency Vet: Essential Strategies For A Long And Happy Career In Emergency Veterinary Practice. With Dr Brooke Schampers and Dr Taleta Hompas

If you work in emergency practice, or you're considering it, then this episode is for you. ⁠Dr Brooke Schampers ⁠and ⁠Dr Taleta Hompas ⁠are ECC veterinarians with more than two decades experience between them who create resources and coach others on how to thrive as an ECC shift worker through there ⁠EMV4Life⁠ program. In this episode they will tell you:

• How to better structure your shifts to optimise for sleep and health.
• How to navigate the swing between night and day shift.
• How Taleta manages shift work as a parent of young children.
• How to increase productivity on shift to reduce cognitive load and stress and get you out the door sooner.
• How to bring more joy into your emergency shifts.  

We discuss what there is to love about emergency vetting, what to consider if you are thinking of a career as an ECC vet, and what other challenges there are beyond sleep and shift work.

Contact us⁠ to find out about our Vet Vault/EMV4Life resource bundles to help you up skill and navigate life as an emergency vet.

Lift your clinical game with our RACE approved clinical podcasts. Get your first two weeks free at ⁠⁠vvn.supercast.com⁠⁠  for more clinical confidence and better patient outcomes, or check out our Advanced Surgery Podcast at ⁠cutabove.supercast.com⁠. 

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Topics, Time Stamps and Chapters

00:00 Intro

03:22 Why ECC? What’s to love about it? 

06:38 Are Certain Personalities Better Suited for ECC

15:39 The Impact of Shift Work on Health

22:21 Brooke’s Routine for Sustainable Night Shifts

32:51 Balancing ECC Work with Family Life

46:18 Setting Yourself Up for Long-Term ECC Careers

50:32 Rostering

54:17 Increased Productivity On Shift

01:06:17 Finding Your Joy in Veterinary Work

We love to hear from you. If you have a question for us or you’d like to give us some feedback please get in touch via our contact from at ⁠thevetvault.com⁠, or catch up with us on ⁠Instagram⁠.

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“Strategies for Managing Shift Work in Veterinary Medicine”

Shift work is an integral part of veterinary emergency and critical care (ECC) medicine, but its physical and mental challenges require deliberate strategies to ensure sustainability. Below are practical tips for managing shift work effectively:

1. Prioritize Sleep Hygiene

• Maintain a Regular Sleep Schedule: Create consistency in sleep and wake times, even on days off, to support your circadian rhythm.
• Optimize Your Sleep Environment: Use blackout curtains, white noise machines, or earplugs to minimize disruptions.
• Avoid Stimulants Before Sleep: Refrain from caffeine and heavy meals several hours before bedtime to enhance sleep quality.
• Post-Shift Recovery: Wear sunglasses on your way home after night shifts to reduce light exposure and prepare your body for rest.

2. Nutrition and Hydration

• Pre-Shift Meals: Consume a balanced, nutrient-dense meal before your shift to fuel your energy levels.
• Timing Matters: Avoid heavy meals between midnight and early morning; instead, opt for light snacks like protein bars or rice crackers.
• Meal Prep: Pack healthy, high-protein snacks to avoid reaching for high-sugar, high-fat options during shifts.
• Stay Hydrated: Regular hydration prevents fatigue and supports mental clarity.

3. Managing Workload and Cognitive Load

• Plan Your Shift: Start by organizing patient care priorities and delegate tasks when appropriate.
• Use Tools Like Templates: Pre-written templates for medical histories, discharge instructions, and common procedures can save time and reduce stress.
• Adopt a Team-Based Approach: Communicate effectively with your team to share the workload and manage emergencies.

4. Combatting Shift-Work Fatigue

• Limit Consecutive Night Shifts: Two back-to-back night shifts are ideal, allowing adequate recovery time between.
• Mid-Shift Power Naps: If possible, take short naps during longer shifts to recharge.
• Avoid Split Shifts: Consecutive blocks of night or day shifts are better than switching between the two.

5. Mental Health and Well-Being

• Create Boundaries: Learn to say no to shifts or workloads that compromise your health.
• Engage in Relaxation Techniques: Practices such as mindfulness, meditation, or light exercise can help reduce stress after shifts.
• Celebrate Wins: Reflect on the positive outcomes and moments of joy from your shift to maintain motivation and gratitude.

6. Leverage Technology and Resources

• Utilize Sleep Apps: Track your sleep patterns and get actionable insights for improvement.
• Learn From Others: Follow shift-work-focused content, such as "The Healthy Shift" or sleep-related podcasts, to stay informed.
• Invest in Ergonomic Equipment: Comfortable shoes, standing mats, and supportive scrubs can make shifts physically easier.

7. Advocate for Better Working Conditions

• Communicate Needs: Advocate for sustainable rostering practices and fair scheduling during contract negotiations.
• Educate Your Team: Share research about the health risks of poor shift management with your workplace.
• Create a Support Network: Collaborate with colleagues to develop a positive work environment and share effective strategies.

By implementing these strategies, veterinary professionals can reduce the physical and mental toll of shift work, creating a sustainable and rewarding career in ECC or other veterinary fields.

“Finding Joy and Meaning in Veterinary Practice”

Veterinary practice is a deeply rewarding career, but its challenges can make sustaining joy and purpose difficult. By adopting intentional strategies, veterinarians can rediscover the meaning in their work and enhance their professional satisfaction. Here are key approaches to finding joy and meaning in veterinary practice:

1. Reframe Your Perspective

• Focus on Positive Outcomes: Celebrate your ability to make a difference, even in small ways—like easing a pet’s pain or providing comfort to a stressed owner.
• Acknowledge Growth: Recognize how every case contributes to your skills and expertise, turning challenges into opportunities for learning.
• Revisit Your 'Why': Reflect on the reasons you chose veterinary medicine to reconnect with your passion for the profession.

2. Cultivate Gratitude

• Daily Gratitude Practice: Keep a gratitude journal where you jot down three positive things about each day, such as successful cases or kind client interactions.
• Celebrate Small Wins: Acknowledge even minor achievements, like calming a nervous pet or finishing a challenging surgery.
• Appreciate Your Team: Recognize the contributions of your colleagues and support staff, which fosters camaraderie and shared purpose.

3. Strengthen Client Relationships

• Emphasize Empathy: Approach every client interaction as an opportunity to provide comfort and guidance, even in difficult situations.
• Build Trust: Clear communication and honesty with pet owners can lead to more fulfilling relationships and mutual respect.
• Reframe Challenges: View difficult clients as opportunities to practice patience, adaptability, and problem-solving.

4. Create Joyful Moments on Shift

• Connect With Patients: Spend a moment cuddling a cute puppy or soothing an anxious cat to boost your mood.
• Celebrate Teamwork: Acknowledge the teamwork required to save a life or manage a busy shift, and express gratitude to your colleagues.
• Find Humor: Share lighthearted moments with your team to relieve stress and build connections.

5. Invest in Your Well-Being

• Prioritize Work-Life Balance: Set boundaries to ensure time for hobbies, family, and self-care.
• Engage in Activities That Energize You: Pursue hobbies, exercise, or creative outlets that refresh your mind and body.
• Seek Support When Needed: Reach out to mentors, colleagues, or mental health professionals for guidance and encouragement.

6. Build a Positive Work Environment

• Encourage Team Morale: Participate in or initiate activities that foster team spirit, like celebrating milestones or organizing social events.
• Advocate for Change: Work with your leadership team to address systemic issues like understaffing, inefficient processes, or burnout risks.
• Share Success Stories: Reflect as a team on challenging cases that ended positively to build collective pride and satisfaction.

7. Develop a Joy Journal

• Track Meaningful Moments: At the end of each shift, write down three things that brought you joy or fulfillment, like a thank-you from a client or a patient’s recovery.
• Reflect on Patterns: Over time, notice recurring sources of joy and find ways to maximize those moments.
• Focus on Positives: Use the journal to counterbalance tough days with reminders of the meaningful work you do.

8. Recognize the Impact of Your Work

• Remember the Ripple Effect: Your efforts not only impact pets but also bring immense comfort to families.
• Acknowledge Patient Progress: Celebrate every step in a patient’s recovery, from wagging tails to a discharge home.
• Value Your Role: Understand that you play a critical part in the veterinary ecosystem, improving lives every day.

By cultivating gratitude, fostering connections, and prioritizing self-care, veterinarians can rediscover the joy and purpose that brought them to the profession.