Veterinary Burnout and Recovery – Dr Jade Hackney
You can take the person out of vetting but can you take vetting out of the person?
I’ve decided to swap some episodes around – especially as I’ve just returned from the NZVA symposiums in Christchurch – one of which was Veterinary Wellness.
This series of episodes with Dr Jade Hackney was recorded a few months’ ago but I thought the topic was very relevant – especially for veterinary professionals who may be reconsidering their careers in the veterinary space… especially the clinical veterinary space.
For example, when you reconsider your career as a veterinarian – not once, but twice – what might that look like and what’s life like on the other side?
This episode is personal and emotional. If you’re standing on a bit of shaky ground right now, hopefully you’ll find Jade’s journey both insightful and hopeful.
If you’re standing on VERY shaky ground please call or text 1737 and chat with someone who won’t judge you.
Today’s episode doesn’t talk about suicide but it is about burnout. And hope and recovery.
Veterinary Science Graduate from the University of Dublin
I’m with locum Companion Animal Veterinarian – Dr Jade Hackney – a graduate from the University of Dublin.
Jade shares her personal burnout, meltdown and recovery journey about what life is like on the other side as a practicing veterinarian.
Culture Shock Experiences
Jade was born in Northern Ireland but when she was 11 months old her parents moved to Malawi, where she lived until she was 11.
She encountered a huge culture shock when her parents returned to Northern Ireland. This lead to the beginning of unpleasant times for Jade.
First Burnout in 2014
In 2014 Jade experienced burnout through working 1-in-4 weekends + 1 night a week on call, with no time off in lieu, and minimal collegial support.
As Jade shares, she thought at this point she’d never practice as a clinical veterinarian again. Ever. Never.
In 2015 Jade started her journey of self-care, recovery and work-life balance integration in a way that worked (and still does) for her.
Emotionally Intelligent Language Use
Listen out for Jade’s emotionally intelligent language patterns.
There are a few times when she corrects herself when she swaps from the word “you” to “I”.
It’s subtle but it makes a huge difference.
So often people will distance themselves from what they’re saying by using in the global term “you” when they’re really referring to themselves.
Listen out of it because it’s the sign for someone who’s got an advanced level of emotional intelligence (EQ).