You’re Not an Imposter – You’re Just Getting Started! Coping with Imposter Syndrome as a New Graduate
Congratulations! You’ve made it through veterinary school, passed your exams, and now you’re stepping into your first role as a qualified veterinary professional. But if you’re reading this with a knot in your stomach, wondering if you actually deserve to be here, let me start with this: you’re absolutely not alone, and you’re definitely not an imposter.
That voice in your head questioning whether you’re “good enough”? It’s visiting somewhere between 60-85% of professionals across all fields. In veterinary medicine, where the stakes often feel high and every decision matters to a beloved family member, these feelings can feel particularly intense. But here’s what I want you to know right from the start: feeling like an imposter isn’t a personal failing or a sign that you don’t belong here. It’s actually a pretty normal response to stepping into something new and meaningful.
You’re not broken… you’re human
If you’re feeling overwhelmed right now, take a moment to breathe. Those imposter feelings aren’t evidence that you’re fraudulent – they’re often a sign that you care deeply about doing good work. When we step out of our comfort zones, when we’re learning and growing, it’s completely natural for our minds to question whether we’re up to the challenge.
The truth is, so much of what we’re feeling stems from pressures that were never ours to carry in the first place. Maybe you absorbed messages about needing to be perfect from day one, or that asking questions shows weakness, or that you should instinctively know things that actually take years of experience to master. These aren’t your personal failings – they’re historic pressures that many of us inherited without ever choosing them. We also get the opportunity to re-write those rules.
Your learning has only just begun (and that’s brilliant!)
Here’s something that might surprise you: your qualification isn’t the end of your education – it’s actually just the beginning. Veterinary medicine is a field that’s constantly evolving. New research emerges, techniques improve, and our understanding deepens all the time. Even the most experienced professionals you work alongside are still learning, still growing, still encountering cases that challenge them. On your very last day before retirement, there’s all chance you’ll still need to ask someone for help.
That’s why continuing professional development (CPD) isn’t just a formality – it’s a powerful way to stay engaged with the ongoing process of learning. Great veterinary CPD gives you a structured, supported way to keep developing, stay curious, and connect meaningfully with the evolving nature of the profession.
Recognising this can be incredibly liberating. Instead of feeling like you should know everything already, what if you leaned into being a lifelong learner? What if not knowing something wasn’t a failure, but simply an invitation to discover more? The pressure to have it all figured out right away isn’t serving you – it’s just making this exciting journey feel scarier than it needs to be.
Tips for dealing with imposter syndrome in vets
Now you know it’s totally normal to sometimes feel like you don’t belong here, let’s take a look at some tips to help you shrug off the feeling and get back to learning.
1. When your brain gets noisy, come back to this moment
When imposter feelings hit hard, they often trigger our nervous system’s alarm bells (and, for those who loved neurology, the sympathetic branch of your autonomic nervous system). Your heart might race, your thoughts might spiral, and suddenly everything feels overwhelming. In these moments, remember that your brain might be lying to you. Fear has a way of making everything seem more catastrophic than it actually is. Self-compassion and treating yourself like a friend can be really valuable in these moments too, although it takes practice (check out Dr. Kristin Neff’s work on this topic here).
Try this: take a few slow, deep breaths into your belly. Feel your feet on the ground. Take a quick look around you, what are five things you can see? What are four things you can hear? Three things you can touch? One thing you can taste or smell? Remind yourself that you’re safe in this moment. These feelings are uncomfortable, but they’re not dangerous, and they will pass. Your nervous system needs a moment to reset, and that’s okay.
2. Save Your Wins (You’ll need them later)
Start collecting evidence of your competence right now. Keep a record of the cases you handled well, the grateful clients who thanked you, the moments when something clicked into place. Write down the compliments colleagues give you, the problems you solved, the animals you helped. On the tough days – and there will be tough days – you’ll need these reminders of your capabilities.
Your wins don’t have to be dramatic saves or complex surgeries. They can be as simple as comforting a worried pet owner, successfully placing a difficult IV, or asking a thoughtful question that helped your team provide better care. All of these matter. All of these count.
3. Ditch the Timeline Pressure
One of the cruellest tricks our minds play is convincing us that we should have achieved certain milestones by certain ages or points in our careers. But here’s the truth: there’s no universal timeline for professional development. Your path is yours alone, and it doesn’t need to look like anyone else’s.
Instead of measuring yourself against arbitrary benchmarks, lean into what genuinely lights you up about this profession. What aspects of veterinary medicine make you excited to learn more? What kinds of cases energise you? What impact do you want to have? Veterinary CPD can be a brilliant way to explore those interests more deeply – not just to tick a requirement, but to actively follow your curiosity and grow in the directions that feel most meaningful to you.
When you connect with your authentic interests and values, the external pressures start to matter less.
4. You don’t have to figure this out alone
If you’re struggling with these feelings, please reach out for support. Talk to trusted colleagues, mentors, or friends who understand this profession. You might be amazed to discover how many people you admire have felt exactly the same way. Sometimes just naming these feelings out loud can rob them of their power.
Remember, asking for help isn’t evidence that you’re an imposter – it’s evidence that you’re wise enough to use the resources available to you. Strong veterinary professionals collaborate, consult, and continue learning throughout their careers.
If these feelings are significantly impacting your wellbeing or ability to work, consider speaking with a counsellor or therapist who understands professional pressures. Organisations like Vetlife offer confidential support specifically for veterinary professionals, as well as many Employee Assistance Programmes.
Conclusion: You Belong Here
As you navigate these early days of your career, be gentle with yourself. You’ve already accomplished something remarkable by becoming a veterinary professional in the first place. You’ve demonstrated dedication, intelligence, and compassion. The fact that you care enough to worry about doing good work is actually a strength, not a weakness.
You’re not an imposter. You’re a new graduate learning and growing into your role. That’s exactly what you’re supposed to be doing right now. Trust the process, trust your training, and most importantly, trust yourself. You’ve got this, and you belong here.
Signposting:
For additional support, contact Vetlife at 0303 040 2551. If you’re experiencing persistent mental health challenges, please reach out to your GP or a mental health professional.
