January 2018

To many new graduates, beginning a new year without a job would be cause for concern. For Jordan, however, it was a huge relief, having realised her first place of employment was, overall, a bad fit.

21 mins

Tonally challenged vet Nick Marsh recalls the evening he was terrorised by a “satanic creature” from the darkest pits of Hell and how he barely escaped with his sanity intact.

13 mins

VN blogger Jane Davidson uses the new year to file a “State of the Nation”-type review of the profession, pausing to reflect a common postnominal-based identity crisis.

12 mins

Having experienced little in the way of vet-specific illness or injury, Jordan recounts the moment her luck ran out and she got her hand trapped between between a cow and the cattle crush.

11 mins

December 2017

Tangerine or golf ball? Grape or marble? Whichever side of the divide you are, Nick Marsh did not realise it existed until starting his clinical pathology residency. So, which side are you?

12 mins

Not everyone likes the festive season – Jane Davidson included. So, for those dreading Christmas, she offers some words of support: “Do you and do it well.”

18 mins

Questioning owners about their pets' symptoms and well-being is a daily task for vets, but how often do you apply this same process to your own health? Jordan Sinclair looks at the importance of doing both...

10 mins

Envious of his GP's digital patient call display, Nick Marsh looks to address a problem that has been a stumbling block of vets since time immemorial: how, exactly, do you call your client in?

20 mins

Jane RVN looks at the ways veterinary practices can improve levels of customer service and resolve many of the potential conflict areas that can lead to confrontation.

18 mins

Takeaway food may be a quick sustenance solution during busy days in practice or while out on call, but new grad Jordan Sinclair suggests a good work-food balance would be better in the long run.

10 mins

November 2017

It seems an operation tailor-made for job satisfaction, but for Nick Marsh it has led to a contempt for “torture breeding” that has grown since his first job in general practice...

16 mins

New grad Jordan Sinclair shares her thoughts on social networking from both a personal and professional perspective, and suggests her peers avoid viewing the world through Facebook-coloured spectacles.

15 mins

Jane RVN recalls an high-profile cat scratch incident and discusses why such injuries are often treated as a source of amusement, whereas dog attacks are seen as cause for hysteria.

14 mins

Nick Marsh highlights the crucial need to keep talking about mental health issues and offers his opinions as to why the veterinary profession, in particular, is plagued with this problem.

14 mins

Jane RVN delves into the 90-odd pages of the RCVS' much-anticipated Schedule 3 survey report and digs out a couple of the gems contained within its pages for closer inspection.

17 mins

October 2017

Pumpkin carving may have provided the perfect diversion to being on call this weekend, but Jordan Sinclair is looking for inspiration on enjoying her free time while waiting for the telephone to ring


13 mins

Nick Marsh ponders whether he should express his opposition when a client utters a prejudiced opinion he finds abhorrent or if it is best to stay silent.

19 mins

“Time spent sitting down as a VN should improve the time spent standing up,” writes Jane Davidson as she highlights the importance of desk duties and discusses how it could improve client interaction.

11 mins

Having now become a “real vet”, Jordan Sinclair discusses the unpredictable and daunting aspect of pet temperament that graduates are presented with in practice.

8 mins

Many a client has told Nick Marsh it's a shame pets can't tell vets where it hurts. He's not so convinced, however


13 mins