Mentoring New Veterinary Graduates for Transition to Practice and Lifelong Learning

Abstract

A new veterinarian’s smooth and rapid transition from education to clinical practice is critical to their success and that of their new professional homes. Successful mentoring relationships are critical to smoothing the transition to practice, particularly when independent clinical decisions are abruptly required. A mentor acts as a personal coach and teacher, providing both career and personal guidance. While the profession has focused on training mentors, it has paid little attention to teaching mentees how to maximize the benefits of the relationship. Veterinary colleges can do more to equip their graduates with the skills they need to manage their change to working life successfully. The Western College of Veterinary Medicine’s (WCVM) substantive gap analysis revealed mentee training as an important issue to address in support of mentorship and established a mentee training program within the curriculum. The program teaches needs assessment, goal setting, identification of appropriate learning activities, and reflection skills as an iterative and cyclical process. Learning activities include working with their selected mentor (or mentors). These skills are important for lifelong learning and continuing professional development, as well as transition to practice.

Addressing the needs and challenges of mentorship in veterinary medicine

“…It has been suggested that incorporating regular feedback paired with developmental training programs in the workplace may further increase one's compassion satisfaction and reduce fatigue and subsequent burnout, ultimately leading to higher employee retention (Mastenbroek et al., 2015; Ouedraogo et al., 2021; Rohlf et al., 2021). Sadly, a large number (up to 70%) of new practicing veterinarians seek to leave their first practice for another within the first few years of employment (Freeman et al., 2022a; Gates et al., 2020; Jelinski et al., 2009). Whether through formal or informal mentoring, equipping employees with tools that encourage self‐compassion and learning allows them to better care for themselves in times of stress and provides them with methods to cope with difficult situations (Freeman et al., 2022a; Neff & Germer, 2017; Rohlf et al., 2021).…”

“…Sadly, a large number (up to 70%) of new practicing veterinarians seek to leave their first practice for another within the first few years of employment (Freeman et al., 2022a; Gates et al., 2020; Jelinski et al., 2009). Whether through formal or informal mentoring, equipping employees with tools that encourage self‐compassion and learning allows them to better care for themselves in times of stress and provides them with methods to cope with difficult situations (Freeman et al., 2022a; Neff & Germer, 2017; Rohlf et al., 2021).…”

“…Developing an effective mentoring program in the veterinary profession is long overdue. At the forefront of this necessity is the desire to improve overall mental health in our profession and provide new graduates with resiliency skills when they are needed most (Cake et al., 2017; Correia et al., 2017; Freeman et al., 2022a; McArthur et al., 2017; Perret et al., 2020). Resilience relies on developing coping skills and understanding mindful practices in response to stress (Perret et al., 2020).…”

“…Peer-peer interaction is particularly helpful in reminding both students and recent graduates that they are not alone in their feelings/perceived shortfalls (Mastenbroek et al, 2015). While there is little published on the development, implementation, and evaluation of structured mentoring programs in veterinary medicine, this article aims to describe existent literature (Barbur et al, 2011;Blum, 2018;Britton, 2014;Collins, 2005;Elce, 2021;Freeman, 2005;Freeman et al, 2022aFreeman et al, , 2022bFurr, 2018;Hodgson et al, 2022;Jelinski et al, 2009;Niehoff et al, 2005) and, where appropriate, evaluate against comparable efforts in other science and medical fields. Here we examine the benefits of mentoring, the structuring of mentorship programs, mentor training, and associated challenges in veterinary medicine.…”