Hot Take: Relief-ing at a Vet Practice Where You Were Previously an Associate? Read This First.

Did you ever visit your high school after graduating? It’s weird, right? It’s hard to return to a place where you were a previous version of yourself. The same applies to stepping back into a veterinary practice—this time as a relief veterinarian—where you once worked full- or part-time. It can be done successfully (I’ve done it), but it’s easy to slip into old patterns and blur the boundaries between relief vet and associate.

In this post, I’ll share why working at an “old practice” might not be the best choice, and what to keep in mind if you do find yourself back on the schedule at a previous employer.

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A Success Story: Returning After Burnout

I left a practice in early 2021, shortly after experiencing a significant bout of professional burnout that left me questioning my future in veterinary medicine. Looking back, it was a multifactorial issue—but working at a busy hybrid GP/ER during the height of the pandemic (without a hobby, social life, or healthy outlet for my anxiety) pushed me to the edge. I became irritable, grouchy, and unhappy at work—so I resigned and moved on to a new job I thought would solve everything. (Spoiler alert: it didn’t.)

I’ll be the first to admit—I was not my best self toward the end of my time there. I wasn’t taking care of myself physically, mentally, spiritually, or emotionally. And although I left on OK terms, I often worried about how my former coworkers and supervisors might remember me.

So I was surprised when they reached out a couple of years later asking if I could help out with relief shifts. I decided to give it a shot—after all, it was just a day or two a week. I was surprised about how nervous I was prior to my first shift- I typically experience mild anxiety before starting at a new hospital, but this time it was heightened. Fortunately, it turned out to be completely unfounded.

I actually enjoyed going back. It was great to see familiar faces and to witness some of the improvements they’d made to workflows and systems. One of the practice leaders even complimented me on how well I was doing, both professionally and personally. She said I looked brighter, healthier, and happier than ever—and she was right.

Do I want to go back as a full-time associate? Absolutely not—I love my relief and coaching business. But with healthy boundaries (and way better self-care), this experience felt worlds apart from 2019–2021. Why? Because the practice had evolved—but more importantly, I had changed, and that made all the difference.

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Tread Cautiously: Reasons to Consider Before Accepting a Shift at a Previous Employer

✅ You left for a reason.
And chances are, that reason is still valid. Maybe the commute was exhausting, the caseload wasn’t a good fit, or the clinic culture just didn’t vibe with you. Yes, change is possible—but it takes time, especially in veterinary practices. Some relief vets I know won’t go back unless the entire leadership team has changed. That might be extreme, but ask yourself: Why did I leave? Is that issue still present? Am I better equipped to deal with it now? And is it worth the emotional labor, even temporarily?

✅ Old patterns are easy to fall into.
This is a big one. If your former friends (or foes) are still there, it’s tempting to slip back into familiar dynamics. You might find yourself venting with a tech or rolling your eyes at a client—things you wouldn’t dream of doing during a regular relief shift. But here’s the good news: you’re a relief vet now. Your identity has shifted—and so can your mindset. It’s totally within your power to rise above the drama. A simple line like, “Since I’m a relief vet now, I try to stay out of that stuff,” can work wonders to set a boundary.

✅ Some people hold grudges.
Even if you’ve changed, others may cling to the version of you they remember. That can be tough—especially if you return more confident, happy, and successful than when you left. Don’t let anyone shrink you back into an outdated version of yourself. Be consistent in your words and actions. If you want people to see the new you—show them.

✅ Clients may push your boundaries.
Say you were Mrs. Smith’s favorite doctor back in the day. Now that she’s heard you’re “back,” she might start calling the clinic wanting to catch up and discuss every ailment Fluffy’s had since 2021. Back then, you were always willing to go the extra mile—so why not now? This is tricky: you want to be professional and courteous without crossing the boundaries of your role. Try something like:

“Mrs. Smith! It’s so lovely to hear from you—I hope you’ve been well! I wanted to let you know that I’m working as a relief vet now, so I’m not back full-time. I did look over Fluffy’s records and it looks like Dr. Jones has been doing a great job caring for her. I’m so glad she’s doing well!”

This acknowledges the relationship while reinforcing the current VCPR and gently setting expectations.

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Returning to a former practice as a relief vet can be incredibly rewarding—or unexpectedly triggering. It all depends on your mindset, boundaries, and self-awareness. Just remember: you’re not the same person who left that clinic. And that’s exactly the point.

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Feeling Burnt Out or Stuck in Your Vet Career? Let’s Talk.

Whether you’re recovering from burnout, considering a career pivot, or figuring out how to make relief work actually work for your life—I’ve been there. And now I help other veterinarians find clarity, set boundaries, and build careers that feel sustainable and freeing.

If you’re ready to create a career that supports your life (instead of the other way around), I’d love to support you.

👉 Learn more about 1:1 coaching or book a free discovery call at my stan store.

Let’s get you back to loving veterinary medicine—on your terms. 💙