Your First Locum Shift: Tips & Tricks for Vets and Vet Nurses

Your first locum shift can feel intimidating – new clinic, new systems, new team. The good news? A few simple habits can make your first locum experience smooth, stress-free, and highly successful.

1. Confirm Everything Before You Arrive

Before your shift, clarify:

Start and finish times
Dress code
Parking and clinic access
Who you report to
Software used (RxWorks, ezyVet, Smartflow, etc.)

2. Understand Roles and Responsibilities in the Clinic

Every clinic operates differently, especially when it comes to how responsibilities are shared between vets and nurses.

Some clinics have highly experienced vet nurses who are trained to perform a wider range of duties, such as:

Placing IV catheters
Monitoring anaesthetics
Running nurse consults
Managing dentals and procedures
Assisting with imaging and diagnostics

Other clinics may require vets to be more hands-on with certain tasks. Make sure you clearly understand:

What you are personally responsible for
What tasks nurses can support with
How cases are handed over
Who to escalate to if you’re unsure

Clarifying this early helps avoid confusion, improves workflow, and ensures patient safety.

3. Arrive Early and Be Proactive

Arriving 10–15 minutes early gives you time to:

Meet the team
Get logins
Learn the clinic layout
Review the day’s bookings

Clinic managers appreciate locums who take initiative and integrate quickly.

4. Ask Questions

Every clinic has different protocols and preferences. Don’t guess. Ask about:

Treatment protocols
Referral preferences
After-hours procedures
Escalation pathways for emergencies

Asking questions shows professionalism and helps you deliver better care.

5. Be Flexible and Adaptable

Locum work often means stepping into busy clinics with different workflows and team dynamics. Stay calm, support the team, and adapt to how the clinic operates. Clinics are far more likely to rebook locums who are easy to work with and positive under pressure.

6. Leave a Great Impression

Before you leave:

Complete clinical notes thoroughly
Hand over cases clearly to the next vet or team member
Thank the nurses, reception team, and clinic manager