The transition from university to work can be tough in any profession, and this is often *very* true for new vets. At university, students often focus on theoretical knowledge, whereas in the workplace, practical skills and problem-solving are required, which can be difficult to master quickly. This pressure is often felt by new vets and can be especially daunting for those who transition from study straight into emergency practice.
“University teaches you about emergencies, but it doesn’t necessarily prepare you to deal with them in the same way it teaches us how to administer a vaccination—a lot of my knowledge was theoretical before starting,” says emergency veterinarian Dr Brittany Malzard. “Going straight into emergency is challenging because you never know what you’re going to get… there is no such thing as starting with the ‘easy’ cases,” she adds.
Emergency cases can be intimidating for any vet
Dr Malzard admits it can be scary starting out in emergency practice as a recent graduate. But it’s not just new vets who struggle—emergency cases can be some of the most daunting for any veterinarian, even experienced GP vets. In a recent survey, over 40% of veterinary professionals said that they felt emergency medicine was a key area they wanted more training in.

Not only are you dealing with a lot of pressure and uncertainty (you really never know what’s going to come through that door!), but your clients are often distressed. “It can be challenging dealing with emotionally loaded clients and learning how to consult in a way that manages clients through grief and heartbreak,” says Brittany.
Getting the right support is crucial
So, what’s the key to feeling confident in emergency practice? Support and education!
Getting the right training plays a vital role in ensuring that you feel confident in emergency practice. For Brittany, she credits her confidence to both the Internship Program at the Animal Emergency Service, Tanawha, and the Accelerated Emergency Program from Improve Veterinary Education.
“Having a mentor through the Internship Program gave me the extra confidence of knowing I could manage my cases with a safety net behind me,” she says. “I never felt babied and was always encouraged to move onto the next step when I was ready.”
Likewise, having the right education played a crucial role in her finding her feet.
Good CPD makes a huge difference…
Brittany enrolled in the Accelerated Emergency Program and says it has been invaluable in her journey. “I use my notes from the program every single day in clinical practice. It allows me to be a lot more self-sufficient as I can look up recommended protocols for certain presentations without asking others for help.”
She created her own digital notes during the program and uses the quick search function to find what she needs help with (e.g. chocolate toxicosis and diabetic ketoacidosis). For her, the information she learnt during the course, alongside her trusty notes, is vital.
“These notes allow me to remember important differentials and give me the confidence to know that I’m not missing anything,” adds Brittany.
Education plays such a vital role in helping you confidently make effective decisions based on the latest evidence and clinical guidelines in the fast-paced environment of emergency practice.
At Improve Veterinary Education, we offer a range of emergency CPD for both vets and nurses. These programs have all been developed by a team of highly experienced emergency practitioners with decades of industry experience, and are designed to give you the skills to tackle any emergency or critical care case with confidence.
Thinking of going into emergency practice?
Whether you’re a recent graduate or still studying, emergency practice is something that Brittany urges you to consider. “You’re so much more capable than you think you are,” she says.
Although emergency practice can be intimidating at first, it can also be incredibly rewarding. “Emergency practice is some of the most gratifying work we can do within this career. Helping pets on their absolute worst days will always be the driver behind what I do.”
Finding a job.
Animal Emergency Australia is Australia’s largest employee-owned veterinary group, operating a range of emergency hospitals, GP clinics and a dedicated Pet ICU. They are the leading veterinary emergency care providers in Australia.
Explore careers with Animal Emergency Australia.
Upskilling in emergency practice.
Improve Veterinary Education offer industry-leading CPD for vets, nurses and vet techs. We’ve helped over 40,000 veterinary professionals around the world to reach their full potential. Explore our Emergency Programs below:
For Vets:
Accelerated Emergency Program
Emergency & Critical Care Program
For Nurses:
Elevate Emergency Program
Emergency & Critical Care Nursing
Advanced Emergency & Critical Care Nursing
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Written by Suari Price