Signs It's Time To Leave Your Practice

Signs worth taking seriously

• You dread specific days of the week, and it is not case related.
• You have raised the same concern more than twice and nothing has changed.
• You have stopped putting yourself forward for the interesting cases.
• You feel relief when a difficult colleague is on leave.
• You are not learning anything new, and there is no plan to change that.

Signs that might just be a bad month

• One difficult case that is still on your mind.
• A short spell of understaffing that has an end date.
• A single conversation that did not go the way you hoped.
• Feeling stale in a role that has otherwise worked well for years.

Try the conversation first

Before you start looking, have an honest conversation with your clinical director or owner. Be specific. Not, I am unhappy, but, these two things are wearing me down, and this is what would help.

If nothing changes within a reasonable time, that is your answer. If things do change, you have improved your working life without having to move.

If you decide to move

Take your time. A rushed move rarely solves the underlying issue. Get clear on what you want next, not just what you want to leave behind.

Leave well. The veterinary world is small, and how you leave will be remembered longer than most of the work you did.

Frequently asked questions

Should I have a job lined up first?

In most cases yes, unless your wellbeing genuinely requires an earlier exit.

How do I explain leaving quickly at interview?

Briefly and honestly. Most experienced interviewers have seen it many times.