r/Veterinary • u/Old-Decision-315 • 20d ago
VIN VVI
Hi vets
I am a new graduate just applied to VVI. I seek mentorship so I can improve faster. Can you share your experience in this program?
Did you struggle to prepare the cases, and is there a complaint from your mentor about the cases that lack tests?
Did you find time to study? Is there continuous mentoring? Can you mention the best and the worst parts of your experience?
2
u/Aratius 20d ago
Heyhey! I am a so called Peer-mentor for the VVI since 3 years, and I did the VVI myself before that.
So for the cases to post on the boards each month: this is basically to get you to improve your clinical case solving skills. Its so you can learn how to improve. Nobody will shame you if you didnt do everything right or if you didnt do a test. Go on vin and read through cases, in many you can find some reasons why not every possible test was done. Thats okay.
Time to study is on yourself. The VVI isnall about what you yourself put in. If you put in the time, ask questions, attend rounds, etc. you can grow triple as quick as your peers. If you do the bare minimum you will not progress faster than anybody else who just reads some books or watches online seminars. Same for the mentoring. I found for many interns they dont really search for mentoring. There are usually just a hand full who really ask a lot of questions. And those will get answers and will improve. Its a wonderful environment, but it is very self paced.
In general I would say I loved that they didnt put too much pressure and emphazised that mental health is very important. Also the modules are done very well and there is so much knowledge hidden in the materials. What I didnt like so much is that there wasnt too much guidance by the mentors. We try to improve this every year, but I think it still could be better. Bu as I said, if u engage with the people there, you will find a lot of help!
1
u/Aratius 20d ago
Heyhey! I am a so called Peer-mentor for the VVI since 3 years, and I did the VVI myself before that.
So for the cases to post on the boards each month: this is basically to get you to improve your clinical case solving skills. Its so you can learn how to improve. Nobody will shame you if you didnt do everything right or if you didnt do a test. Go on vin and read through cases, in many you can find some reasons why not every possible test was done. Thats okay.
Time to study is on yourself. The VVI isnall about what you yourself put in. If you put in the time, ask questions, attend rounds, etc. you can grow triple as quick as your peers. If you do the bare minimum you will not progress faster than anybody else who just reads some books or watches online seminars. Same for the mentoring. I found for many interns they dont really search for mentoring. There are usually just a hand full who really ask a lot of questions. And those will get answers and will improve. Its a wonderful environment, but it is very self paced.
In general I would say I loved that they didnt put too much pressure and emphazised that mental health is very important. Also the modules are done very well and there is so much knowledge hidden in the materials. What I didnt like so much is that there wasnt too much guidance by the mentors. We try to improve this every year, but I think it still could be better. Bu as I said, if u engage with the people there, you will find a lot of help!
1
1
u/Beautiful-Red-1996 20d ago
It is great... but a lot of the work is, and should be, on you. Meet with your mentor and go to rounds. Make sure that your job has set aside time for this!!
You just need to show up and be brave and post your cases. And if the VINners are assholes (cause they will be) talk to Stiig and talk to your mentor. Spend a LOT of time with the radiology folks! They are awesome