Finding a job is a bit like shopping for a wedding dress!

BGA blogger Lucy Fletcher on why she loves her job in a busy equine veterinary practice.

I just can’t believe that September is already upon us, the leaves are starting to turn and my daughter has just started school. I’m just starting to relax after the pre going back to school organising of buying uniform, checking I have after school club sorted and that the dreaded morning rush is going to run smoothly!

This month I had an email from the lovely Liz Daniels at British Grooms Association requesting a blog more about my work and the shape being a vet nurse creates with this as my chosen career path.

My son is very soon to be 16 and I see the pressure that these poor kids are put under to high achieve is immense. It can be quite damaging to some kids who simply don’t know what they want to do in life.

The reason I say this is because I didn’t start equine nursing until I was 40! Obviously, I always lived for horses throughout my life but I think finding a job is a bit like shopping for a wedding dress!

I frequently preach to Jack (my son) about how good manners and trying your best are way more important than worrying about what exam results your friends have and comparing them to yours.
My job has so many high points. Every day is different and I seem to learn something new every day.

The training is continual and Tim the practice owner is very good at training his nurses and offering CPD. We are due to go on training in November with the topic of colic and emergency care.

I feel that when I take holidays I might miss something at the clinic. It's certainly hard to stay away when there is a surgery due in or of course a foal coming in!

Typically my day starts at 8am and finishes at 5pm, unless I am on call which I do every Monday and Tuesday. I also work one in every three Saturday's and Sunday's.

When I’m on call I don't necessarily finish at 5pm, there may be an ongoing case, surgery or horse to admit/ discharge.

If I do manage to leave at 5pm, I return at 9pm to do evening stables and administer any medication.

I quite enjoy my weekends on call, but you can never plan out of work commitments because ideally you need to be back at the clinic within ten minutes if the vet calls. I usually start morning stables early and then if I don't get called the rest of the day is mine until tea time stables and evening stables.

If you have the passion and drive for it then it is so rewarding. You’ll never be rich from it but I always leave work happy to go the next day and for me that’s worth more.
Until next time, enjoy the last bit of sunshine and don't worry about where life is taking you now, if you're determined enough, you can make it anywhere.

Lucy x

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Image courtesy of Loch Leven Equine Practice.