Get MotiVETed University: School of Wellbeing for Veterinary Professionals

Myth #1: Veterinary burnout is solely caused by a broken profession. It's a failure of the system. 

Truth: The system needs reform/refinement. It ALWAYS will. There are certainly aspects of the system that can contribute to burnout. However, each individual has more power to beat burnout than the system has to cause it. In other words, it's possible to prevent and overcome burnout without the system changing. Each individual in the profession can discover the tools, tactics, strategies, principles, and resources that can help them to thrive in the current system of vet med that we have despite the challenges and shortcomings! 


Myth #2: Veterinary burnout is unavoidable. It's what you sign up for when you come into vet med

Truth: We've heard a hospital leader say this about their employees. She later followed up to say that she can burnt out her employees because she could always find more to replace them. Yuck! However, we've also heard veterinary students who said that they thought that burnout in vet med is unavoidable. The Truth is that there are veterinary professionals who are not burnt out. They've never had severe burnout, and they likely never will because they either unintentionally or intentionally have cultivated they skillset to navigate challenges that would otherwise lead to burnout. 


Myth #3: The best solution to veterinary burnout is to leave the profession indefinitely
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Truth: This is definitely a solution to beating veterinary burnout; however, it's not the ONLY solution nor is it the best. If you're truly passionate about veterinary medicine and if you feel this is your calling, then leaving for good and switching careers is probably not the best move. The best solution to veterinary burnout is to learn burnout preparedness training and wellbeing training and apply what you learn to your situation. I experienced severe burnout from 2013 - 2016. Nothing about the profession changed, and I didn't leave. Instead, I learned as much as I could about wellbeing, and now I feel confident and competent in navigating the challenges that life and vet med throw at me, which allows me to continue with my passion of being in vet med! Most of the challenges I've faced I can now look at as growth opportunities that actually help me to be a better person! That said, I'm not opposed to anyone leaving vet med, finding a different role in vet med, or leaving a toxic workplace to find a better culture. There are options! Choose the one you think's the best!