Date of Conferral
3-14-2024
Date of Award
March 2024
Degree
Doctor of Business Administration (D.B.A.)
School
Business Administration
Advisor
Carol-Anne Faint
Abstract
Failing to retain new veterinarians can compromise patient care and the sustainability and success of veterinary practices. Employee turnover impacts veterinarian organizations by lowering morale, productivity, and the organization’s bottom line. Grounded in Goleman’s emotional intelligence theory, the purpose of this qualitative pragmatic inquiry was to explore strategies veterinarian leaders use to retain newly hired veterinarians. The participants comprised five veterinarian leaders from different clinical organizations in the US state of California who effectively used strategies to prevent newly hired veterinarian turnover. Data were collected by conducting semistructured interviews. Thematic analysis was used to analyze the data. Five themes emerged: mentorships, open communication, work–life balance, the personality of the newly graduated veterinarians, and changes to schooling. A key recommendation for veterinarian leaders is to engage directly in new veterinarians' vetting and recruitment process. The implication for positive social change includes the potential for new veterinarians to develop into balanced and content coworkers who contribute to veterinary practices by caring for pets and effectively communicating with pet owners.
Recommended Citation
Avila, Christina, "Strategies Used to Retain Newly Hired Veterinarians" (2024). Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies. 15407.
https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/15407
