Vets bad at fluid therapy?

Re: Vets bad at fluid therapy?

Sal the 1st — Sun, 26 Jun 2011 17:01:37 GMT

PM me if you want to chat about this

Re: Vets bad at fluid therapy?

Goldilocks E — Sun, 26 Jun 2011 16:41:02 GMT

Sal, the vet in question is actually a very good surgeon, is very quick and has excellent surgical skills, its just his attitude to clients stinks, and when nurses try to suggest things or use theitr knowledge, he does not like it, or that what is appears to be.

My motivation when i first started was I came straight out of sixth form with good grades but completely unable to get a job due to lack of experience etc, and currently worked saturdays as a kennel assistant at the vets, and they had a training position opened so went for it - I enjoy working with animals and educating owners etc, but have stayed in this job as it is safe, and its not ALL bad, just the bad stuff gets to me and frustrates me more than ever, which leads to me becoming very angry about my work sometimes.

Its not something I can get ym head nurse to sort because she and the vet are at each others throats all the time, so again very unlikely for her to sort it. My colleagues individually are nice peple who I can talk to but when we "work" together the vet / practice manager undermine everyone and each other, which can make for a very demoralising work place, although this does not happen daily, more likely weekly!!

Re: Vets bad at fluid therapy?

Hannah Young — Sun, 26 Jun 2011 10:26:23 GMT

Hi there

I can understand you frustration completely!! So annoying when you know your're right but have 2 abide by vets rules. Is there anyone else you can talk to like head nurse or another vet or anything like that, that could talk to th vet if they know the vet better etc?? I usually go to my head nurse, who then talks to the vet/practice manager if needed.

Hope this helps

Hannah x

Re: Vets bad at fluid therapy?

Sal the 1st — Sun, 26 Jun 2011 00:06:18 GMT

[quote user="Phrin Vernon RVN"]

I agree Sal, but from reading again the thread you have posted, it seems like OP is dealing with one of those vets that has a bit of a god complex.... we've all met them - not an easy person to work with.

I hope I'm wrong - 99% of vets I've worked with have been, and are awesome, but its that one bad apple that ruins it for the rest....

I've worked for and with that 1% though - single vet practice, a seemingly horrible person, clients loved him though! Thought he was god's gift to the world of veterinary science..... and yet gave everything steroids and antibiotics, refused to refer as he knew best.....

Sadly the bad apples are out there, and incredibably frustrating to work for!

OP - I would take Sals advice - tread carefully - good luck!

[/quote]

Yes I have worked with some real charmers as well but there are vets that sometimes come across like this who are actually not bad apples at all but just trying to do the job the best they can, juggling the running of a practice with doing the best they can for their patients and their clients and if they dont feel supported by their staff then its just another problem they dont have the time to deal with- the thing is the more frustrated you become the harder it gets for you to have a reasonable conversation. AND the more the other person feels they are being challenged questioned or attacked the less likely they are going to want to take part in any discussion. If it can be pulled back so that each party can respect the other even if they cant agree then it will be a huge move forward - maybe putting everything else aside this could be the priority for now and who knows what might come from this?

If the working relationship is broken beyond repair then there are really only two choices - either accept what is happening or move on. There is only so much you can do. This sort of atmosphere is bad for your health and your vets too and dont suppose the patients are chuffed with it either.

would mediation help?

what is your vet good at? - this might provide a positive opening to a conversation.

What was your motivation when you first accepted a job at this practice? - has that changed at all?

What is your motivation to stay now ?

Re: Vets bad at fluid therapy?

Phrin Vernon RVN — Sat, 25 Jun 2011 23:51:05 GMT

I hope I'm wrong - 99% of vets I've worked with have been, and are awesome, but its that one bad apple that ruins it for the rest....

Sadly the bad apples are out there, and incredibably frustrating to work for!

OP - I would take Sals advice - tread carefully - good luck!

Re: Vets bad at fluid therapy?

Susan Jackson — Sat, 25 Jun 2011 23:42:19 GMT

[quote user="Phrin Vernon RVN"]

I have been in this situation before and have (perhaps quite rudely!) asked the vet to show me his/her workings out, and also reminded them that I have seen cats die from OTT ivft rates.

No, it didn't earn me any brownie points, but I have been able to convince a vet or two that fluid therapy rates must be calculated, especially for cats & small things.

Made me the black sheep of the practice for a while though - I must learn how to do tactfull! lol

[/quote]

I'm the same, wish I knew how to be tactful too! I've always been the black sheep and demanding nurse. Hate it, but I just want to raise standards, so what can you do?

Just keep trying to discuss the fluid rates with you're Vet. I don't think a group discussion would be an idea but a one on one with all the nurses agreeing to back you up would be good. Make it formal (complaint) if you think it might make him think a little. You can't be sacked for highlighting problems, you might not be well liked.

Good luck

Re: Vets bad at fluid therapy?

Sal the 1st — Sat, 25 Jun 2011 23:28:00 GMT

http://www.vetnurse.co.uk/forums/t/11221.aspx?PageIndex=1

same vet by any chance?

How would I approach this? very very very carefully - I can see this vet becoming majorly pissed off. Theres ways and ways of doing things and ok I can sense your frustration but seeing it from the other side as well and reading this post and the other I can see why he is getting defensive.

Re: Vets bad at fluid therapy?

Phrin Vernon RVN — Sat, 25 Jun 2011 23:24:27 GMT

I have been in this situation before and have (perhaps quite rudely!) asked the vet to show me his/her workings out, and also reminded them that I have seen cats die from OTT ivft rates.

No, it didn't earn me any brownie points, but I have been able to convince a vet or two that fluid therapy rates must be calculated, especially for cats & small things.

Made me the black sheep of the practice for a while though - I must learn how to do tactfull! lol

Re: Vets bad at fluid therapy?

Juliet Drummond DAVN (med) RVN D32/33 — Sat, 25 Jun 2011 22:34:02 GMT

i think this is a difficult one to apporach, as fluids are POM medications the dose is up to the vet.

that said i would agree that the figures quoted are worrying, quite how you approach it, i'm not sure.

you could enter into a conversation, enquire how the vet comes to these doses, and why he considers them more appropriate than what you understand to be correct.

Re: Vets bad at fluid therapy?

Julie-Anne Wilson — Sat, 25 Jun 2011 21:46:07 GMT

[quote user="Loopy Lass"]

I really want to approach him and state that we know what we are doing and not him

[/quote]

I don't think I'd use these EXACT words! Maybe approach him as a group rather than individually.