Episodes

You've got their attention with your job title—now you have exactly 10 seconds to convince them not to hit the back button. Join host Julie South as she reveals why "We are a busy small animal practice seeking a veterinarian" is killing your hiring success before jobseekers even get to your amazing benefits. Your opening paragraph is make-or-break territory, and most practices are getting it completely wrong. You'll discover: Why jobseekers abandon job adverts within seconds (and it's not wha...

Your job title has just 3 seconds to stop veterinary professionals from scrolling past your opportunity—are you making them count?
Join host Julie South in this game-changing episode as she reveals why "Veterinarian Required" and "Vet Nurse Position" are killing your hiring success. If you're tired of posting job adverts that disappear into the void, this episode could be your wake-up call.

You'll discover:
The harsh reality of why generic job titles are costing you the best veterinary professi...

We tackle how writing effective job requirements can transform your veterinary clinic's hiring success by focusing on potential rather than unrealistic wishlists. The perfect veterinary team member often doesn't check every box but brings the right attitude and growth mindset to thrive in your specific environment. What Julie South covers in this episode: • Too many job adverts read like impossible wishlists rather than realistic requirements • Understanding the crucial difference be...

In today's competitive veterinary job market, skilled professionals have choices about where they work, making your clinic's culture your competitive advantage. This episode explores three practical strategies to showcase your genuine team culture in job ads to attract jobseekers who'll be the perfect cultural fit. • Culture isn't just a nice-to-have—it's what makes jobseekers choose your clinic over others • The "BBQ test": what team members would honestly say about your workplace when you'...

Ever wondered why your veterinary job advertisements aren't attracting the right applicants? The answer might be simpler than you think. Welcome to Episode 225 of Veterinary Voices, where we kick off an exciting new series about how to advertise job vacancies to build your stellar teams in the veterinary profession. Today, we're diving into a game-changing approach that transformed one clinic's year-long recruitment struggle into a successful hire within just two months: storytelling i...

Recent Massey University Veterinary Science Graduate, Dr Aodhan Wildbore, shares what truly matters for veterinary graduates starting their careers. His experience at Wanganui Vet Services showcases how essential proper mentoring is for new professionals – making the difference between thriving or leaving the profession entirely.

Aodhan's no-holds-barred insights shatter common fears about first veterinary positions. "I actually don't feel like a new grad really," he shares, describing a practi...

Ever wondered what makes a veterinary practice truly special? It's not just about the facilities or location—it's about creating a culture where every team member feels valued, supported, and empowered to use their full range of skills. In this chat with Bridget Swart, head veterinary nurse at Vets on Carlton in Whanganui, we talk about the daily rhythms of a clinic that's earned an impressive 4.7-star rating from its own employees. Bridget shares her journey as a "transplant" to this ...

Discover the heart and soul of rural veterinary practice through Dr Dave Rankin's eyes as he celebrates 30 years with Wanganui Vet Services - sister clinic to Vets on Carlton. Dr Dave's journey shows what makes a veterinary workplace truly special – the deep bonds formed with farming families across generations, the satisfaction of mentoring young professionals, and the joy of practicing diverse medicine from pregnancy testing cattle to performing emergency small animal surgeries. Wha...

What does it take to be a Veterinary Clinic "Employer of Choice" - Julie South catches up with Dianna - Head of Reception at Wanganui Vet Services (sister clinic of Vets on Carlton). If you're a veterinary professional looking to make your next move and Companion Animals is your thing, you owe it to yourself to check out Vets on Carlton in Whanganui. Dianna shares her 16-year journey at Wanganui Vet Services and Vets on Carlton, revealing what makes this veterinary practice a VetClinicJobs Em...

What happens when a non-veterinarian takes the helm of a veterinary practice? In this chat, Tom Dinwiddie reveals how his business background and people-first approach have transformed Wanganui Veterinary Services and Vets on Carlton into genuine Employers of Choice in New Zealand's veterinary landscape.

At the heart of Tom's management philosophy lies a refreshing commitment to autonomy and accountability. "We allow people to make their own decisions and work autonomously," he explains, sharin...

This episode focuses on the essential steps required to become a registered veterinarian in New Zealand, emphasising the importance of understanding the registration process for overseas applicants.

Key topics include language proficiency, registration types, and examination requirements.

• Overview of the veterinary registration process in New Zealand
• Importance of a current Annual Practicing Certificate (APC)
• Requirement for English proficiency and passing the IELTS
• Difference between ...

As we venture into 2025, understanding recruitment dynamics is critical for veterinary clinics facing staffing challenges.

Today Julie South looks into the current landscape of veterinary employment in Aotearoa New Zealand, emphasising the importance of a strong employer brand, adapting to immigration changes, and creating supportive workplaces.

Julie recaps the impactful recruitment changes in NZs 2024 and crystal ball gazes into what she believes must happen in 2025:

• Overview of recruitme...

Equine dental care in New Zealand is facing a crossroads, and Registered Veterinarian Dr Helen Beattie is here to shed light on the pressing need for regulatory reform.

The current landscape allows non-veterinarians to perform complex dental procedures on horses, posing significant risks to equine welfare.

Join host Julie South and Dr Helen as she shares her passionate advocacy against these practices, highlighting the Ministry for Primary Industries' disregard for expert veterinary advice and...

Today host Julie South, uncover some of the complexities of national cat management in New Zealand in this second of three part series with Dr Helen Beattie.

As a dedicated advocate for responsible cat ownership, Dr Helen shines a light on the vital role of veterinary professionals in transforming public perceptions and practices.

Julie and Dr Helen explore the myths surrounding feline reproduction, the crucial importance of microchipping and de-sexing, and the dire need for streamlined nation...

What if you could change the fate of thousands of animals with just your voice?

Join Julie South this week as she chats with Dr Helen Beattie, the pioneering founder of Veterinarians for Animal Welfare Aotearoa (VAWA).

Today Dr Helen she shares her compelling journey in challenging the norms of live animal exports. Through her expert lens, Dr Beattie brings to light the ethical dilemmas and dire conditions faced during these inhumane journeys.

Dr Helen and Julie catch up on what she's been do...

Join Julie South for the second thought-provoking conversation she has with Dr Jane Jones, as they uncover the nuanced experiences of Māori veterinarians and veterinary nurses in New Zealand.

Discover how Dr Jane's collaborative research with Dr. Francesca Brown reveals the profound impact of cultural narratives and the challenges faced by Māori professionals in expressing their identity within the veterinary field.

Listen to them chat about the significance of respecting cultural practices li...

Dr. Jane Jones, a pioneering voice in veterinary narratives, invites us into her world as she navigates the complexities of qualitative research in veterinary science.

With a unique focus on the experiences of Māori veterinarians and vet nurses in Aotearoa, New Zealand, Dr Jane's research journey unveils the challenges and rewards of exploring a field with sparse literature.

Her collaboration with Associate Professor Dr Francesca Brown and her dedication to learning Te Reo Māori highlight not ...

In this episode of Veterinary Voices, host Julie South delivers invaluable insights for new veterinary graduates (vets and nurses) preparing for their first job interviews.

With career expo season in full swing across New Zealand, this timely discussion provides practical, actionable strategies to help fresh graduates stand out in the competitive veterinary job market.

Key takeaways include:
How to craft standout applications that catch employers' attention

Essential pre-interview research te...

Episode 211 of Veterinary Voices, hosted by Julie South, features an in-depth conversation with Catherine Neazor Brady, a seasoned New Zealand licensed immigration consultant.

Catherine and Julie look at the latest changes in New Zealand's immigration policies and their significant impact on the veterinary industry.

Key Points Discussed:
Immigration Processing Improvements:Immigration New Zealand has reorganised into operational centres, leading to faster processing times.

Priority processing...

In this interesting episode of Veterinary Voices, Julie South catches up again with Khristina Naden, Senior Lecturer in Veterinary Nursing at Otago Polytech, where she demonstrates how a veterinary nursing qualification can evolve into ground-breaking research.

As Kristina shares insights from her Masters research (hopefully to be upgraded to PhD research) into therapeutic horse riding, you're are treated to a super interesting blend of scientific methodology and practical experience that bridg...

Unlock the secrets to finding your ideal veterinary clinic job by asking smart "Culture-based" questions at your job interview. Today Julie South guides you through smart questioning techniques that reveal a clinic’s true culture and values. Wondering how to ensure your future workplace aligns with your professional ethos? This episode of Veterinary Voices promises to equip you with the right questions to ask during job interviews, helping you uncover crucial insights about workplace cultu...

In this episode of Veterinary Voices, host Julie South continues her in-depth conversation with Michelle Cameron, an executive member of the New Zealand Vet Nurse Association.

Their chat goes into innovative ways Veterinary Nurses can enhance their professional standing and increase their earning potential within the evolving landscape of veterinary practice.

The episode offers a wealth of practical strategies for Vet Nurses to demonstrate their value and for clinics to optimise their billing ...

Discover how to maximise the value of your clinic's Veterinary Nurses and boost your clinic's revenue in this ideas-packed episode of Veterinary Voices. Julie South catches up with Michelle Cameron, a New Zealand Registered Veterinary Nurse with extensive experience in emergency and critical care (ECC), and an Executive Member of the New Zealand Vet Nurse Association (NZVNA). Michelle shares valuable insights on leveraging the skills of veterinary nursing professionals. Key topics c...

Welcome to Episode 206 of Veterinary Voices, hosted by Julie South. With listeners in 1,400 cities worldwide, Veterinary Voices is your trusted source for insights into New Zealand's dynamic veterinary industry. This episode is proudly sponsored by VetStaff, New Zealand's leading recruitment agency dedicated to connecting veterinary professionals with exciting career opportunities in Kiwi vet clinics.

Today, Julie South continues her informative chat with Kristina Naden, a senior lecturer in ve...