The mean weighted starting salary for vets has jumped from $90,722 to $99,593 over the last few months, heralding a prosperous year for new veterinarians, says economist Bridgette Bain.
Bain, who is the associate director of analytics at the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), told AVMA news that mean starting salaries have almost recovered to levels projected before the 2008 crisis.
‘This is a market correction 12 years overdue. We haven’t returned to pre-recessionary trends, but we’re close,’ she said.
This is especially good news for graduates, many of whom are being hit with increasing vet school fees.
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Animal Blood Shortages Puts Pressure on Vets
With fewer pet owners donating animal blood to banks, many practices have been struggling to provide care for patients in the US.
This problem has been growing over the last twenty years, as blood transfusions have become more commonplace among practices.
Dr. Anne Hale, a founder and supplier of veterinary blood transfusions told AVMA news that many clinicians are concerned that ‘as we [vets] advance in critical care medicine, internal medicine, oncology, all of those have needs and wants for blood products as part of treatment’ will increase.
‘We don’t have a real opportunity to bring together an organized way of providing blood products across the nation,’ which is a huge problem.
‘I think that it is time for us to look nationally at establishing a volunteer donor program that is unified and capable of providing the resource that we need,’ she concluded.
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The BVA Begs the Prime Minister to Help Refugee Vets
The British Veterinary Association (BVA) has begged the UK government to help Afghan vets.
Since the Taliban takeover, many veterinary professionals associated with British or American organizations have been seeking refuge abroad. As part of operation ‘magic carpet’, almost a hundred vets and their families were rescued.
In a statement, the organization said:
‘The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons, British Veterinary Nursing Association and we have written to the Prime Minister to urge the UK government to support a group of 13 Afghan veterinarians and seven veterinary care assistants and their families who have exited Afghanistan as part of ‘Operation Magic Carpet’.
‘We have urged the Prime Minister to support them resettling in the UK so that they can live freely and safely and, if they wish, contribute to the UK veterinary professions.’
‘We recognize that these individuals will have fled extremely difficult circumstances and that the UK veterinary professions will welcome and support them so that they can continue to contribute to animal health and welfare, and public health.’
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Remote Prescriptions Reintroduced into the UK
Pressures related to the new covid variant have pushed the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) to reintroduce remote prescriptions to the UK.
The Standards Committee of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons decided to bring back the policy with immediate effect.
Chair of the Standards Committee, Dr. Melissa Donald, said:
‘We were very aware of the likelihood that both practice staff and clients will increasingly have to isolate over the coming weeks due to direct infection or positive contacts, particularly with the rise in cases amongst school children.’
‘Added to this, we know there are already workforce pressures across the profession, which will be exacerbated by reduced staffing levels over the Christmas and New Year period.’
‘We, therefore, felt it was appropriate to reintroduce these temporary remote prescribing measures at this time to help relieve pressure on practicing professionals and to provide them with the means to continue to look after the health and welfare of their patients in all circumstances.’
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South African Veterinary Council Renews its Agreement with Australasian Veterinary Boards Council Amid Skill Shortage
The South African Veterinary Council (SAVC) has renewed its veterinary training agreement with the Australasian Veterinary Boards Council (AVBC) amid worker shortages.
The agreement recognizes the training of veterinary surgeons at the University of Pretoria (UP), and the SAVC’s accreditation of UP’s training in association with the AVBC. It also allows for the reciprocal recognition of AVBC accreditation of veterinary training, so Australian grads can register for the AVBC and vice versa.
In a statement, Dr. Sarah Ewing, the education officer at the AVBC said that:
‘This alignment allows for the mutual recognition of veterinary qualifications without the need to sit and pass a registration examination. Therefore, subject to local accreditation of veterinary programs for instance in the UK, Australia, or New Zealand, the SAVC registers graduates on a reciprocal basis without additional examinations. The countries participate jointly in visitations to ensure that standards at training institutions in the respective countries are met.’
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How to Get Some Rest This New Year
With many of us gearing up for another year of work, some may be feeling anxiety or trepidation around re-entering the clinic.
But it doesn’t have to be this way. If anything, this year should be all about prioritizing ourselves over our paychecks.
So how can we introduce some feel-good resolutions into our new year?
1. Add a ‘Happy Habit’ into Your Routine
Instead of committing to a new gym membership or diet, try and introduce an activity that you really enjoy into your week.
Why not try a new sport, or plan some fun nights out with your friends? All these things will boost your serotonin and reliance in the workplace.
2. Figure Out How to Properly Unwind
Not everyone relaxes the same way. While one person may unwind with a movie marathon, another may need to get some vitamin C. Regardless, trying out several activities and figuring out how you like to chill out can increase your energy levels and motivate you.
3. Prioritize Your Holidays
Raise your hand if you’ve ever forgotten to use up all your holiday. We know we have!
But taking breaks is super important, and if you’re going to make some change this new year, it should be taking more time for yourself.
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