Frances O’Connell

BVM&S BSc (hons)

I graduated as a vet in 1991 and worked for 5 years in a mixed, mainly small animal practice where I became a partner in 1996. Three days before the partnership was due to start, I collapsed and had emergency surgery for ovarian cancer. Not a great start! I went back to work too soon and was then working 80 hour weeks. 9 months later I had a breakdown, was sectioned and diagnosed with bipolar. 30 years on, I still struggle with my mental health but in between, I ve done a wide range of jobs both veterinary and non veterinary. From manager of a complementary medicine shop to 25 vet locum jobs all round the country. I also studied for a diploma in aromatherapy and massage and am especially interested in psychology and complementary medicine. Recently I have just left a small animal practice where I had worked for 4+ years. I loved the vet work including nurse training, dealing with complaints, PR and management issues. It had been an independant practice when I started but was taken over by a corporate firm 18 months ago. I became increasingly disallusioned with the continual changes they made and the vast amount of extra stress all of us in the team were now under. I left in july 2021 and am considering all options.. Permenant vet work in an independant practice Locumming for a while Going into teaching/nurse training Setting up my own business. Right now I have the time and enthusiam to become a mentor and I hope I will be considered favourably. I feel I could help with issues around Stress at work Getting the right work/home life balance right managing male employees Setting up ones own business Mental health issues And generally an all round good egg to any female vets who felt they might benefit from my 53 years of life experience