Better scheduling is emerging as a retention tool in vet practice

A new article in Today’s Veterinary Nurse translates findings from a 2025 mixed-methods study of 51 veterinary professionals into practical scheduling recommendations for clinics, arguing that small changes to how teams are scheduled can meaningfully improve wellbeing, communication, and patient care. In the study, 72% of respondents preferred consecutive 3- to 4-day work blocks with equivalent recovery time, 73% said flexible scheduling would improve their mental health and work-life balance, and 85% to 90% reported better mental clarity, fewer mistakes, and better team communication when regular breaks were built into the day. The article also emphasizes that “flexibility” only helps when it comes with predictability and fair boundaries, especially for veterinary nurses and technicians whose hours often expand with doctor flow. (todaysveterinarynurse.com)

Why it matters: For veterinary professionals, the piece lands in a broader workforce conversation that’s increasingly focused on retention, not just recruitment. AVMA’s 2025 economic report says veterinarians considering leaving the profession most often cite mental health and lifestyle/work hours, and it specifically points to flexible hours, protected breaks, and use of leave as retention strategies. Separate recent research has also linked work-life balance and positive clinic culture with lower burnout, while stronger team relational coordination is associated with higher job satisfaction and lower intention to leave. Taken together, the message is straightforward: schedule design is an operational issue, but it’s also a workforce and safety issue. (ebusiness.avma.org)

What to watch: Expect more practices to test predictable shift blocks, break coverage models, and role-specific flexibility as they look for practical ways to improve retention without overhauling the entire business overnight. (todaysveterinarynurse.com)