Veterinary Voices

Ever wondered how the New Zealand veterinary nursing curriculum is evolving to better prepare future professionals?  Kristina Naden, RVN, BVN, NZCATT, MRurSci student - Senior Lecturer in Veterinary Nursing at Otago Polytechnic - gives an exclusive preview of the upcoming Diploma in Veterinary Nursing launching in New Zealand in February 2025.  Kristina chats about how this new qualification is a...

In this episode of Veterinary Voices , host Julie South continues her informative conversation with Catherine Neazor Brady , a very experienced New Zealand Licensed Immigration Adviser. [listen to the first episode - 203 - here] Julie and Catherine discuss the complexities of hiring overseas veterinary professionals and the importance of using licensed immigration consultants. This episode is a mu...

Catherine Neazor Brady - New Zealand licensed immigration advisor with over 20 years of experience in both recruitment and immigration - chats with host, Julie South of VetStaff. Catherine and Julie discuss the intricacies of immigration for veterinary professionals looking to work in New Zealand. Key topics covered in the episode include: Recent changes in New Zealand's immigration landscape...

Curious about why only 26% of Kiwi veterinary nurses plan to stay in their profession until retirement? Join Julie South as she catches up with Associate Professor Laura Harvey , the President of the New Zealand Veterinary Nursing Association, who sheds light on this pretty grim statistic. Julie and Laura talk about the unique challenges faced by New Zealand’s veterinary workforce, from rural and...

Kevin Bryant , CEO of the New Zealand Veterinary Association (NZVA), joins Julie South of VetStaff, us to share his passion and commitment to supporting veterinarians throughout their careers.  From students to retirees, Kevin highlights the NZVA's pivotal role in championing the entire veterinary team.   Often confused, listen as Kevin talks about the vital distinctions between the NZVA and...

Join Julie South in this milestone episode of the Vet Staff podcast as she reflects on an incredible journey spanning 199 episodes, five continents, 100 countries, and 1400 cities.  From its humble beginnings during New Zealand's 2020 lockdown to becoming a global platform for veterinary professionals, the podcast has defied the odds in a world where 90% of podcasts never make it past their t...

What if the key to skyrocketing your veterinary practice's productivity lies in the counterintuitive strategy of slowing down? Today, Julie South takes you on a journey through the art of effective time management that is so opposite to what you'd expect, it's paradoxically pretty amazing! Discover how the Pomodoro technique —working in focused intervals with strategic breaks—can tr...

How familiar are you with the "protective" laws involved in reference checking? Julie South from VetStaff explores the complexities of reference checks in New Zealand's veterinary profession. Prompted by an unusual request, she examines the legal risks of mishandling references, stressing adherence to the Privacy Act and Fair Trading Act. Key Takeaways: Legal Boundaries : Julie emph...

Ever wondered if a career as a locum vet or vet nurse in New Zealand could be your next big move...? This week VetStaff's Julie South explores the (sometimes) thrilling possibilities and (dreaded) daunting challenges of locuming in New Zealand's veterinary clinics. From the (apparent) attractive perks of higher hourly rates and (perceived) flexible schedules to the potential pitfalls lik...

Can focusing on trivial tasks be sabotaging your productivity? Discover how displacement activities , those sneaky forms of procrastination, trick you into feeling accomplished while keeping you from tackling crucial tasks.  In this episode of the Vet Staff podcast, Julie South unpacks the psychological discomfort behind these behaviours and the misleading dopamine hits they provide.  By understan...

Ever wondered why some meetings feel like a waste of time while others drive real results?  Discover the secrets to conducting powerful and efficient veterinary clinic meetings that will transform your practice's productivity.  This episode of the Vet Staff Podcast reveals strategies to streamline your meetings with clear agendas, proper scheduling, and ensuring the right team members are pre...

Is your clinic still struggling with the post-pandemic workforce transformation? Discover how to turn these challenges into opportunities by understanding the concept of psychological safety and its profound impact on new hires and annual performance reviews. Join Julie South, Certified DISC Trainer and Resilience Coach, as she introduces the juniority benefit , the swoosh pattern of psychological...

Join Julie South, a Certified DISC Trainer and Resilience Coach, as she delves into the art of reaching consensus within teams.  Julie emphasises the importance of creating a safe space for open conversations, setting clear objectives, and encouraging diverse perspectives to ensure everyone feels heard and valued.  She provides practical strategies and best practice questions to help teams navigat...

Have you ever wondered how to unlock the full potential of your veterinary team? Join DISC Certified Trainer and Resilience Coach Julie South as she unravels some of the secrets to boosting employee engagement in the veterinary industry.  Julie shares practical strategies and expert insights that can transform your clinic's culture and performance. Three key takeaways from this episode includ...

Julie South,  Certified DISC Trainer and Resilience Coach, delves into the crucial topic of employee engagement. Discover how understanding and addressing your team's needs can transform your clinic's culture, boost productivity, and drive overall success. Julie shares practical strategies and actionable steps to cultivate a motivated, satisfied, and high-performing workforce. Discover h...

In this insightful episode of the Vet Staff Podcast, host Julie South tackles the important topic of psychological safety and its impact on team dynamics, collaboration, and overall veterinary clinic performance .  This episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to build a more trusting, connected, and high-performing work environment. Psychological safety is the foundation for successful teams....

Have you ever felt like you're speaking a different language than some colleagues? In this insightful episode, DISC Certified Trainer and Resilience Coach Julie South provides a framework for understanding diverse communication styles through the lens of personality types. Using the research-backed DISC model, Julie breaks down the tell-tale verbal and non-verbal cues that indicate if someone...

Ever wondered what the true cost of staff turnover is in veterinary clinics and how you can build a more resilient and engaged team? Join us as we uncover the financial and emotional toll of staff turnover that often goes unnoticed, from productivity gaps to the stress on remaining team members. We break down some of these hidden costs and their implications on both the clinic's bottom line a...

Curious about how to unlock the full potential of Accommodating Leaders in your veterinary practice...? In this insightful episode, Certified DISC Trainer and Resilience Coach Julie South takes uncovers the world of the Accommodating Leader, celebrating their strengths while also exploring pathways for their growth and development through the lens of DISC Flow profiling. Here are three compelling...

Ever work with a boss, Lead Vet, Head Vet Nurse or Practice Manager who's all about rules, routines and doing it by the book ...? Let me take you inside the mind of the Modest Leader on this podcast episode. These leaders are obsessed with stability, honesty and having a well-oiled machine at work. Their vibe?  Practical, careful, and crazy organised. You can count on them to make smart choic...

Have you ever found yourself navigating the intricacies of a leader who thrives on structure, processes, and doing things by the book? I, Julie South, invite you to delve into the fascinating world of the Methodical Leader in our latest podcast episode. We explore the systematic and detail-oriented nature of these individuals, examining how their commitment to accuracy and established procedures s...

Have you ever found yourself in awe of a leader who demands nothing short of perfection? I, Julie South, invite you on a fascinating exploration of the Perfectionist Leader’s psyche in our latest podcast episode. We dissect the meticulous and detail-oriented nature of these individuals, considering how their high benchmarks shape the workflow and morale within veterinary practices. By tapping into...

Maybe You Crave a Leader Who Truly Listens and Supports You? Embark on a journey with Julie South as she explores the complexities of the DISC personality types and how they mesh with the harmonious ACCEPTING Leader . In this episode, you'll discover the warm, inclusive world of the ACCEPTING Leader . Julie South peels back the layers of the DISC Flow® framework to reveal how this people-focu...

Ever felt the electric buzz of working under a leader whose sheer presence can light up a room? Embark on a journey with Julie South as she breaks down the complexities of the DISC personality types and how they mesh with the whirlwind that is the INSPIRING Leader . In this episode, you'll discover the dynamic world of the INSPIRING Leader.   Julie South peels back the layers of the DISC Flow...

Have you ever considered the impact your personality has on your leadership style? This week, we unravel the traits of "Dynamic" leaders, shedding light on how such leaders thrive on challenge and spearhead teams toward lofty goals. We navigate the complex relationships between Dynamic leaders and the DISC personality types they manage, discussing how to create a synergetic environment d...