VPN Plus+ ExclusiveTech Talk: Do you embrace or haze new employees?March 22, 2024By Jamie Rauscher, LVTThese new employees come with horror stories to eventually be shared with us once they feel a tiny sliver of comfort. We draw them out piece by piece, encouraging them to talk to us and share their past. In part of us getting to know them, we learn about their previous experiences and can in some way relate to them with stories of our own or provide reassurances that their new clinic is in no way the same as their old one.
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VPN Plus+ ExclusiveAssorted findings from this year's veterinary conference seasonFebruary 22, 2024By Patty Khuly, VMD, MBATo glean a proper appreciation of an industry’s dynamics via veterinary conferences I like to take a three-pronged approach: 1) Concentrate on the periphery of the exhibition hall. 2) Interview random veterinarians and do not skip the small talk with veterinary technicians and vet students. 3) Attend panel discussions on cultural issues or practice management.
VPN Plus+ ExclusiveTech Talk: Utilization is not just a buzzwordFebruary 9, 2024By Jamie Rauscher, LVTProper utilization of technicians is something both credentialed veterinary technicians (CVTs) and practice owners want. Or is it? It seems everyone always thinks it is a great idea but just does not know how to move forward to make it happen. Lots of conversations are happening in our profession to try to figure out just how to do this. Why all the talk and so little action? Where is the hold up?
VPN Plus+ ExclusiveTech Talk: A clinic without strong leadership is in troubleJanuary 11, 2024By Jamie Rauscher, LVTIf your clinic is lacking in leadership, developing a plan on how to build up the leaders in your clinic should be a number one priority in your life. There are direct and indirect impacts to having less leadership in your clinic than what is ideal. Some direct impacts of not having structured leadership are gossip, turnover, stress on current team members, and a negative culture.
VPN Plus+ ExclusivePositivity prevails: nine resolutions for the new yearDecember 20, 2023By Patty Khuly, VMD, MBAAfter last month’s column, it was brought to my attention that my last few columns have been somewhat less than positive in their outlook on our profession; and that’s no way to end a year, is it? To wit, it is time to offer a rosier take on how to succeed in veterinary medicine.
VPN Plus+ ExclusiveTech Talk: Don't put your self (care) on the shelfDecember 13, 2023By Jamie Rauscher, LVTVeterinary medicine is a whole different ball game. October, leading into November, starts a crazy time for us that is second only to the hectic days of summer. So, many of us dread the holidays and the stress that comes with it. For those of us who work in general practice, our stressors are different than those who work in emergency medicine or even those that work remotely. Those in academia experience their own woes, as well. We all have our holiday horror stories to share with our co-workers.
VPN Plus+ ExclusiveAre you disappointed in your profession?November 23, 2023By Patty Khuly, VMD, MBAIt has finally happened. I’ve turned into that veterinarian: the crotchety, 30-year veteran of private practice so disillusioned by her own profession’s evolution she has begun actively planning a definitive exit strategy.
VPN Plus+ ExclusiveTech Talk: Empathy and the human animal bond goes a long wayNovember 15, 2023By Jamie Rauscher, LVTUp until it is time for them to cross the Rainbow Bridge, the relationship a person has with their pet is special in its own way. They all hold different meanings to each person. I am no different in that way. I am just as human as the next person, remembering how important my pets are to my family is what helps to bring me closer to my clients. It allows me to be able to truly see their experiences as my own, bringing my knowledge and expertise to the table to help them as I am able to do so.
VPN Plus+ ExclusiveDo we need a mid-level veterinary 'nurse practitioner?'October 16, 2023By Patty Khuly, VMD, MBAFor camels, the desert is home. For veterinarians, it represents a hiring wasteland. “The percentage of local certified technicians is shockingly low … Tech deserts are everywhere,” Patty Khuly says. Would a title change help? Photo: Bigstock/kaikups
VPN Plus+ ExclusiveTech Talk: A look at euthanasiaOctober 5, 2023By Jamie Rauscher, LVTTo have to make that decision for someone else brings with it the fear of making the wrong decision and stopping too early, but also the fear of going too far and causing unnecessary suffering. While we can give our opinion or input to a client, the decision is their own to make. All any of us can do is to use the tools available to us to try to understand what our companion is experiencing and trust our hearts to know the right time.
