u/StrainNo6323

This post will probably be the opposite of many others in here, so please bear with me.

I’m a new graduate vet and I recently started my first job abroad. It’s been about a month. For the first two weeks I was shadowing because I was waiting for my license to be approved, and once that came through, my clinic started giving me vaccination and healthcare appointments.

My team is genuinely lovely. They take mental health very seriously, constantly check how I’m doing, ask if I’m stressed, and they really want to make sure I’m not overwhelmed. I’m honestly very grateful for that, especially because I moved to a completely different country alone.

But now I’m starting to wonder if they’re being too cautious with me.

For example, I currently have a nurse with me for vaccination appointments. She takes the history and does the billing, while I do the actual consultation/vaccination. But I actually WANT to do the history, enter everything into the system, do the billing, etc. How else am I supposed to become comfortable with the clinic’s system and workflow?

There are also currently more vets than consultation rooms/appointments available. Another vet who is around my level (although she has been at the clinic slightly longer) has a completely full schedule, while I might have 1–2 appointments and then nothing. So I end up shadowing again.

And honestly… I feel embarrassed and slow.

I know it has only been a month, and I know I’m a new graduate. I’m not expecting to be thrown into complicated cases without support. But I also expected that, over time, I would gradually be given more responsibility.

The strange thing is that they tell me they’re happy with me and that they believe in me. They’re very supportive. But when I look at my future schedule, I barely have anything booked, while the other vets are practically desperate for a break. And I’m starting to wonder: is this simply because there aren’t enough consultation rooms/appointments, or is there something they’re seeing in me that I’m not?

I also find the whole system here quite strict compared with what I’m used to. I’m still trying to understand how much clinical freedom I actually have as a new vet and what I’m allowed to prescribe/do independently versus what needs approval.

I will definitely talk to them about this before my probation period ends. I don’t want to come across as ungrateful because I genuinely appreciate how supportive they’ve been. At first I was actually so relieved to have a workplace that cared this much about me.

But now I’m starting to worry that I won’t be able to develop if things continue like this.

I moved countries specifically because I wanted more opportunities to learn, grow and become a better vet. I sacrificed a lot to make this move happen, including being away from everyone I know. So it’s difficult to sit here and feel like I’m barely doing anything.

Am I being impatient after only one month? Or is it reasonable for me to tell them that I’d like to take on more appointments/responsibility, even if I feel a little slow and nervous?

I’d really appreciate hearing from other new grads, especially those who started working abroad. How did your first few months actually look? Did you have to push for more responsibility, or did your clinic gradually increase it naturally?

Hi! I had laparoscopic surgery about 2 years ago, and since then I’ve been taking birth control pills to help prevent the endometriosis from recurring, as my doctor recommended.

I’ve never really had any issues with the pill, but for the past 5–6 days I’ve been bleeding quite heavily, even though I haven’t finished my current pack yet. I know breakthrough bleeding can happen, but I’ve been on the pill for a long time without this happening, so it feels a bit unusual to me.

I also recently moved to a new country completely on my own, so things have been quite stressful, and it’s not exactly easy to see a gynecologist here yet while I’m settling in and sorting out all my paperwork.

Has anyone experienced something similar after being on the pill for a long time? Could stress/environmental changes trigger this, or is it something I should get checked sooner? I’d really appreciate hearing your experiences.

Hoii ! I'm a 24yo F and kinda new to NL and Leeuwarden. I moved here because, for many reasons, I wanted to build something better for myself than what I had back home.

It’s exciting, but I have to admit… it can get a little lonely. Leeuwarden is beautiful, and there are so many things to see, do, and explore, so it feels like such a shame not to experience it with someone!

Is anyone else at a similar stage in life—new to the city, looking to meet people, and hoping to find a genuine friendship/connection? I’d love to find my own Mindy (Emily in Paris reference🫣).

I’m definitely up for grabbing a coffee, exploring the city, trying new places, going for walks, or just having a good chat. 🫶

I'm moving into a new apartment in Leeuwarden and need to set up internet, electricity and water. I'd really appreciate recommendations based on your experience that are reliable, not crazy expensive, easy to set up and English friendly If you've had particularly good (or bad) experiences with any providers, please let me know!

Hoi allemaal! I just moved in the Netherlands -Leeuwarden and since I dont know anyone (yet🤞🏻) I was hoping if anyone was interested to go together to the Pride Parade this Saturday in Amsterdam. Its a great way to find some friends/ people on the same life stage like me. I relocated here for work, I'm 24yo F. Would prefer if it is F and closer to my age but feel free to contact me anyway.

Hoi allemaal! 🥰 I'm literally just moved in the Netherlands but would love to attend the Canal Parade Pride at Amsterdam this Saturday. I'm not living in Amsterdam but we can meet at the train station if anyone else wants to come for company? Also this is a lovely way to get to know people since I have no one here and would love to start making friends. It is already so lonely. I'm living in Leeuwarden - 24yo- female -- came for work. If anyone is interested please DM me your phone number and I will text you through WhatsApp. Also we will talk in English, I don't know Dutch YET🥲..

Hoi allemaal,

Ik verhuis binnenkort naar Leeuwarden voor mijn werk als dierenarts. Ik ben inmiddels al meer dan een maand op zoek naar woonruimte, maar helaas heb ik nog niets kunnen vinden. Omdat ik nu nog in Cyprus woon, kon ik niet naar bezichtigingen komen, waardoor het extra lastig is geweest.

Mijn werk begint binnenkort en ik begin me echt zorgen te maken. Airbnb's en hotels zijn helaas veel te duur om langere tijd te blijven.

Daarom wilde ik vragen of iemand misschien iemand kent die een kamer, studio of appartement verhuurt. Ook tijdelijke woonruimte of een onderhuur zou mij enorm helpen, zodat ik vanuit Leeuwarden verder kan zoeken naar een vaste woning.

Over mij: ik ben een 24-jarige vrouw en dierenarts. Ik ben netjes, verantwoordelijk en flexibel. Zolang de plek veilig is, sta ik open voor verschillende mogelijkheden.

Als iemand iets weet of tips heeft, zou ik dat enorm waarderen. Alvast heel erg bedankt!

P.S. Ik spreek nog geen Nederlands, maar ik ben het aan het leren. 😊

Hello guys. This post is going to be long but please bear with me. I'm a new grad vet. I'm 6 months out of Uni (december) and officially graduated with my degree 3 months (may). I grew up in a very unsafe environment and kept promising myself as soon I will be able to survive alone and be independent I will leave my hometown since whenever Im here all the trauma and pain I experience is just too much to handle. I'm also suffering from severe anxiety and possibly depression but I'm too trained to show that everything is fine etc and pretty scared to see a psychiatrist. (Worked with psychologist, didn't work.) Anyway, I had a plan to find a job abroad and start a new beginning there slowly. I did find a job, signed a contract and I'm basically starting there in 10 days. I'm still in my hometown, I struggled a lot to find housing and on top of that today I found out my license there was going to delay so I won't have it on time.. something my employer made clear I can't work without it (obviously.). So I panicked, had my first panic attack, till know had only anxiety attacks. Still waiting from my clinic how we will proceed if I can't start right away..and then..it happened...I was home all day crying myself out and left for 30 min. I have 2 cats. 2 Scottish folds. (Please dont judge me, I took the responsibility, I didn't know better at the time..). I returned to my room after my one baby was crying constantly very loud. My baby boy was dead. I found him dead. Literally 30min ago was with me full of joy, playing, eating. I never experienced so much pain and grief and empty in my whole life. He was my everything and this was so random and unexpected. I'm writing this while Im waiting to take him and do necropsy and find out what happened. I feel terrible, I should have known better. I'm worried I made something wrong. I'm worried if he was blocked? But wouldn't I notice? Bc I did find some urine on my bed but I have a camera and it was my girl who has a history doing it whenever I miss for some days from them. And since I didn't see him through my camera and also with no other signs I removed the thought of him being blocked. But what if I did wrong. I'm horrible. I'm a terrible vet and I didn't even start working. I don't feel I'm going to survive this field. It is too stressful. It was always been. I'm doing my best, graduated with honors, dedicated fully focused but still I feel like a fraud. I can't work as a vet. Not after experience my own baby going away this way. I don't know what I'm expecting to read and listen from you. I guess I just wanted to take it all out. I don't know how I'm going to live like this. I can't understand or believe it. I'm in shock and I'm petrified for life right now.. I can't carry it anymore.. If my employer will at any reason don't want to proceed I'm thinking of working something out of clinic..but what options do I have as a new grad with no experience..

I'm a new veterinary graduate with limited clinical experience outside of summer placements and university rotations. As a student, I wasn't allowed to do many procedures independently, so my main priority is finding a supportive clinic with strong mentorship where I can build a solid foundation.

I sometimes struggle with impostor syndrome and underestimate my abilities, although I know that's often more perception than reality. Still, I know I need a workplace that is willing to invest time in teaching and supporting a new graduate. I don't want to start somewhere that expects too much independence too quickly.

I've already interviewed with an independent small animal clinic in the Netherlands. The interview went well, and they invited me for a 2-day visit so both sides can see if we're a good fit. However, since I live abroad, I would need to fly there, and we haven't yet discussed salary, benefits, CPD, career development, or the structure of their mentorship program. They did mention that I would receive mentorship during my first months.

At the same time, I have interviews scheduled with AniCura in the Netherlands and Village Vets in Ireland. From what I've researched, larger corporate groups often offer more structured graduate programs and support for new vets.

I asked the independent clinic for a week before arranging the visit so I can complete my other interviews and compare my options.

For those who have been in a similar position, would you recommend starting in a corporate practice with a structured graduate program or in a smaller independent clinic? What helped you most as a new graduate, and what should I be looking for when evaluating mentorship and support?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Would you choose a smaller independent clinic or a corporate graduate program if mentorship and support were your top priorities?

I'm a new veterinary graduate with limited clinical experience outside of summer placements and university rotations. As a student, I wasn't allowed to do many procedures independently, so my main priority is finding a supportive clinic with strong mentorship where I can build a solid foundation.

I sometimes struggle with impostor syndrome and underestimate my abilities, although I know that's often more perception than reality. Still, I know I need a workplace that is willing to invest time in teaching and supporting a new graduate. I don't want to start somewhere that expects too much independence too quickly.

I've already interviewed with an independent small animal clinic in the Netherlands. The interview went well, and they invited me for a 2-day visit so both sides can see if we're a good fit. However, since I live abroad, I would need to fly there, and we haven't yet discussed salary, benefits, CPD, career development, or the structure of their mentorship program. They did mention that I would receive mentorship during my first months.

At the same time, I have interviews scheduled with AniCura in the Netherlands and Village Vets in Ireland. From what I've researched, larger corporate groups often offer more structured graduate programs and support for new vets.

I asked the independent clinic for a week before arranging the visit so I can complete my other interviews and compare my options.

For those who have been in a similar position, what would you do? Is a structured corporate graduate program usually the safer option for a new grad, or can a smaller independent clinic provide just as good a start if the mentorship is right? What specific things should I be looking for when evaluating support and mentorship?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Would you choose a smaller independent clinic or a corporate graduate program if mentorship and support were your top priorities?

I'm a new veterinary graduate with limited clinical experience outside of summer placements and university rotations. As a student, I wasn't allowed to do many procedures independently, so my main priority is finding a supportive clinic with strong mentorship where I can build a solid foundation.

I sometimes struggle with impostor syndrome and underestimate my abilities, although I know that's often more perception than reality. Still, I know I need a workplace that is willing to invest time in teaching and supporting a new graduate. I don't want to start somewhere that expects too much independence too quickly.

I've already interviewed with an independent small animal clinic in the Netherlands. The interview went well, and they invited me for a 2-day visit so both sides can see if we're a good fit. However, since I live abroad, I would need to fly there, and we haven't yet discussed salary, benefits, CPD, career development, or the structure of their mentorship program. They did mention that I would receive mentorship during my first months.

At the same time, I have interviews scheduled with AniCura in the Netherlands and Village Vets in Ireland. From what I've researched, larger corporate groups often offer more structured graduate programs and support for new vets.

I asked the independent clinic for a week before arranging the visit so I can complete my other interviews and compare my options.

For those who have been in a similar position, what would you do? Is a structured corporate graduate program usually the safer option for a new grad, or can a smaller independent clinic provide just as good a start if the mentorship is right? What specific things should I be looking for when evaluating support and mentorship?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Hey guys! So I just graduate Vet school & I really want to relocate and find my first vet job in Netherlands or Ireland. For Netherlands I don't speak Dutch but I'm willing to learn over time. Does anyone knows where I should apply that they will help me to find a job in English for now? I tried and sent so many applications but I have no answers yet. I already sent all the necessary documents for my CIBG number & I'm happy to relocate and start as soon as possible.