6 Ways to Create an Engaging First Day at Your Veterinary Practice - VetLead
Starting at a new veterinary practice can be a challenge. As a new employee, there are so many questions and unknowns. These can add extra stress to the process of starting a new job. Great leaders do whatever they can to minimize these anxiety provoking experiences. They know that doing this helps the new employee focus on building relationships with their new coworkers and gain the competence and confidence to do the job more quickly and efficiently. When you alleviate common concerns, your employee will likely retain more of the training and experience-based learning. And this retention will improve their performance and engagement in your veterinary practice.
Give your new employee a schedule and onboarding packet BEFORE for their first week at your veterinary practice. At the very least, have their first day scheduled out and include details in the packet such as dress code, what time to show up, who to ask for, what to expect, when and where lunch will be, what time they will be released, and what to bring. Put yourself in their shoes; include all the things you would love to know as you get ready for that first day.
Introduce them to everyone in the veterinary practice and give them a full tour of the entire hospital. As you go through the tour, begin to explain the unwritten rules of the practice. Remember, you have likely worked here for a long time. But for them, it’s new, uncomfortable, and they are nervous. Your new hire will hopefully have years to learn, grow, and develop in their role. They will do this faster and more effectively if they are less worried about interpersonal issues or practice quirks.
These are simple, easy ways to make the first week on the job more memorable, fun, and comfortable. You never get a second chance to make a good first impression. Start your new employee off with a great first week. That way, you set the tone for how they show up to perform everyday moving forward. Engagement drives productivity, culture, morale, retention, and the bottom line. New employees tend to show up excited and engaged on their first day. It is up to the veterinary practice, leaders, and the team to ensure the employee is still engaged on day 100.