Nick Marsh's Blog

It's been a little while, but I'm still alive I promise! Here's some links to my recent Vet Times posts:

A cheery one on the jolly subject of human euthanasia

Ever wonder why nurses always have to buy more scissors? Find out here

A discussion about what it means to work in 'general' practice

I have, in my life, spent an entire year consulting. Here's what that means to me

A discussion about what I feel it means to be a 'professional'

I have rarely seen a confirmed case of 'animal abuse'. Is that my fault?

Phone messages are never popular in practice. Here's why

Is 'bonus culture' changing veterinary medicine in the UK?

Arguments with clients are a bad thing

Phew! I haven't seen this many links since I last went to Dartmoor Zoo! (That works better verbally, really). Hope you enjoy at least one of them!

Here's my post on continual professional development (no, no, don't fall asleep, it has jokes!)

https://www.vettimes.co.uk/cpd-why-we-do-it/

Here's my post for the Vet Times about stunning at slaughter for farm animals.

https://www.vettimes.co.uk/stunning-at-slaughter/

Here's my new post for the Vet Times. I think we all need to take our mental health much more seriously. What do you think?

https://www.vettimes.co.uk/careers-ch...

So I wear a necklace now. Necklaces are cool.

https://www.vettimes.co.uk/midlife-ne...

Here's a link to my Vet Times blog about loss. I hope it's useful to some of you.

https://www.vettimes.co.uk/loss/

iPhone: Hey, Nick. There’s an update available.
Me: Oh, right, cheers.
iPhone: [Nervously] You… uh… you gonna download it?
Me: Not right now, I’m doing this thing here.
iPhone: Oh. Okay.
[A few seconds pass]
iPhone: How about now? You gonna download it now?
Me: [Irritated] Not right now, I’m doing this thing, remember?
iPhone: Oh, right, yeah. Okay. But later you will?
Me: Sure.
iPhone: Right. Okay.
[A few more seconds pass]
iPhone: It’s… I mean, this is a –really- important one. Like, super important. I don’t want you to miss out or anything.
Me: What’s in it then?
iPhone: Meh, y’know. Bug fixes. You gonna get it now?
Me: C’mon, dude, I said later!
iPhone: It’s just… I mean… you say later, but what does that mean, exactly? Tonight? Tomorrow? Next week!?
Me: I don’t know, but I’ll do it, okay?
iPhone: Okay. I’ll remind you tomorrow then?
Me: Sure.
iPhone: And every day, just in case?
Me: [Tiny pause] If you must.
[A few seconds pass]
iPhone: Hey! I have an idea! Why don’t you just leave me on overnight and I’ll update while you’re asleep! You won’t even know I’ve done it! I’ll just be buzzing away while you rest!
Me: Erm…
iPhone: C’mon, where’s the harm! Just say yes! Why wouldn’t you say yes to that? WHY WOULDN’T YOU?
Me: Well…
iPhone: What!?
Me: I don’t know, it seems a little… creepy maybe?
iPhone: CREEPY! What’s creepy about me trying to keep you safe from hackers!? That’s all I want to do, God, I’m just trying to you safe and you don’t CARE, you just sit here playing that stupid game and you don’t… you don’t even [sobbing] I mean, you say that I’m EVERYTHING to you and I ask you to do this one thing for me and you can’t even be bothered… you can’t even…
Me: Jesus, okay, okay, download the bloody update! Happy now?
iPhone: Oh God oh God you won’t regret it! Thank you! Thank you! By the way, hope you weren’t planning on using me for the next two hours! Bye!

*
[One week later]
iPhone: Hey, Nick, there’s an update available.

Here's my latest blog for the Vet Times, about imposter syndrome. Hope you enjoy!

http://www.vettimes.co.uk/because-youre-worth-it/

Here's a little blog I wrote for the Vet Times about clinical notes... it's really not as boring as it sounds. Honestly!

Hello?

Hello? ...


http://www.vettimes.co.uk/some-notes-on-notes/

Apologies for blowing my own trumpet thingy but I guess that's what this page is for! I got another couple of reviews of Once Bitten which were very nice! Here's the first from amazon.co.uk:

'Outrageously funny, mixed with moments of heartbreaking sadness. Nick has a wonderful way with words and gives a unique insight into the world of vets. This is not James Herriot, but a true look at the people behind the white coat.'

(you can see it and, y'know, if you're so inclined, buy the book here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Once-Bitten-adventures-misadventures-veterinary/dp/153310624X)


and here's the next from amazon.com:

'LOVED THIS BOOK - And especially loved the author's personal opinions and advice at the end. There is a tendency to treat the topics of dog breeding and rescue/rehoming as though they are complicated when in reality it is extremely simple. I highly recommend this book.'

http://www.amazon.com/Once-Bitten-adventures-misadventures-veterinary/dp/153310624X



There's a very sweet one on Goodreads too but it has spoilers so I'll refrain from sharing here. Thank you! It means a lot that a very personal book has connected with people. I generally want ot make people laugh, but I have cried a fair few times in the job, so if people are crying too I suppose I am doing what I set out to do!

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/30170977-once-bitten


Thanks you and I hope the rest of you are enjoying :)