4 reasons veterinarians need a vacation

The end of summer will be here before you know it, and if you haven’t taken a vacation yet—or even considered it—here are a few reasons to seek a much-needed solace from work, courtesy of Summit Veterinary Advisors.

1. You need time away from work. It's important that everyone in the hospital—from the practice owner to the receptionist—has time away from work. Not only does a break from the daily grind have physical and mental benefits, but it also gives you physical and psychological distance from the practice. The less you and your employees think about work, the more productive and enthusiastic you’ll be when you get back.

2. Reduce or prevent burnout. Anyone who feels overworked and undervalued is at risk for burnout and the symptoms are easy to spot: irritability, lack of interest, trouble concentrating, or feelings of frustration or resentment. Vacations can put you and your staff in a more positive frame of mind and keep burnout at bay.

3. Identify training needs. Every practice has someone with a special knack for fixing that troublesome piece of lab equipment or somebody who knows which plumber is the best one to call. But when that person’s gone, what happens? Even the most detailed procedures manual doesn't cover every situation, and you won't know if the procedure is documented correctly until someone who has never done it before needs to do it in a pinch.

4. Give your staff a break—from you. Working for a tense, cranky boss gets old after a while, so do your employees a favor and take a vacation. An added benefit is that your staff may have a renewed appreciation for you after spending a week short-staffed or with a relief doctor who doesn't know the ins and outs of your hospital.