Thoughts on Externships

Entry, Experiences
Carla Rodrigues, Ross University

As veterinary students, we have all spent the last few years refining our skills and knowledge base as best as we can to better facilitate our introduction into the ‘real world’ as doctors.  All the sleepless nights, anxiety attacks, and true dedication, we are told, will all pay off. Although we all at one point or another are convinced we should be treated for Cushing’s disease, as our adrenal glands are on overload, we do, believe it or not, learn how to grow and transition from the student phase to the professional phase.

Whether we realize or not, a vital component of our progress through veterinary schooling, in addition to the admirable list of expectations, is our professional development.  Professionalism can encompass a wide array of meaning; but what it all comes down to is having the ability to handle a variety of situations, in a variety of different settings, with a variety of different people. This comes with time, experience and most importantly, exposure. What better way to combine variety and exposure than an externship!

This year I have set out on a few different trips seeking not only exposure, variability, and adventure, but expansion of my veterinary network and interaction with everyday veterinarians spending their days doing exactly what we have been aiming for these past few years.  It is an opportunity for mutual gain of knowledge, advice, and sharing of ideas. As valuable as our lectures and courses are in our curriculum, there is nothing quite like collaborating one on one with the pros on the clinic floor. Each practice brought something different to my meshwork of veterinary foundation, all contributing to my growth as a professional. However, one thing remained in common: I was treated like a colleague and my input always encouraged. This in itself is a crucial factor when it comes to making that transition, it is a feeling like no other.

I am currently in Vancouver completing my third externship at Canada West Specialists in Internal medicine and Rehabilitation. My first trip was to Lausanne, Switzerland where I worked alongside three very talented veterinarians at a small animal general practice. There, not only was I challenged through cases and front row participation with surgeries and procedures, I did all this in another language! Aside from the occasional German and Italian, the cases were all primarily in French. The additional step of translating the discussion between doctor and clientele, while simultaneously mapping the case in my mind certainly kept me on my feet! During my two weeks spent at this clinic, I had the opportunity of helping in surgery with cat spays and castrations, rabbit castration, dental procedures, and even a rabbit gastrointestinal exploration! I spent my time close to the patients postoperatively in recovery, and involved in their care.  I was able to see several patients improve through the two week period with recheck appointments.  Clientele were very interested in my career plans, and trusted their pet in my care. My medical opinion was considered and encouraged through all cases, whether it involved radiographic interpretation, treatment options, or the next diagnostic step. I refined my communication skills and was reminded that, no matter the language, veterinary medicine is still awesome. Best of all, I formed new relationships with the team members, one an American who is volunteering abroad and aspires to go to vet school! I continue to keep in touch with my new pals, and even continue to discuss interesting cases with one of the vets.

I spent my next externship at a small animal general practice in Lake Tahoe, California. I know what you are thinking, it is indeed a spectacular place. Yet another experience that attested to how invaluable an externship can be. Here, I felt like I was part of the Agate Bay team right from the beginning. Luck was on my side when I found this little gem of a place, owned by one of the best mentors I have ever had. Dr. Montana took me under her wing, taught me surgical techniques, guided me through cases, and had a sense of confidence in me I cannot explain.  I felt like an essential part of the team, and my role as a future veterinarian was validated.  These two weeks contributed to a much needed sense of completeness.  Throughout vet school, most of us fall victim to a common student syndrome where we are so focused on our studies, life after school is an unrealistic distant....blur.   We still have a vision of our goal: being the best vets we could be. And this blurry dream becomes clearer with the help of people we look up to, our mentors, colleagues, and professors alike. This clarity magically begins to appear and can be defined by one word: reassurance. Working with Dr. Montana, I was gifted with reassurance and, with this, came a sense of reality- I am going to be the best veterinarian I can be. What more can you ask for?