Being contactable and enthusiastic
- Make sure that you are contactable
- Let the vet/nurse know where you are – even if you are just having your break in the staff room
- Emergency cases don’t follow normal office hours – discuss with your mentor if it might be appropriate for you to stay after hours or even do a night shift for additional experience
- Leave your mobile number somewhere obvious (e.g. in the practice diary, with the on call vet)
- Don’t pick or choose just ‘interesting’ or cleaner cases – take what comes
- It really annoys staff when students do this
- You will learn more from getting involved in all types of cases
- But do ensure your mentor knows what particular sort of skills or cases you would like to practice or observe
- Don’t ‘clock watch’ being first out of the door at home time
- You will gain respect from offering to lend a hand if the practice is very busy
- Remember the importance of your body language!