Juan Gervasoni
Specialist
May 27, 2025
When I first stepped into relief work, I wasn’t sure if it would be a short-term gig or a complete career shift. Fast forward to today, and I’ve made the decision to work full-time as a relief vet through FlexVet Staffing — and it’s hands-down the best professional choice I’ve ever made.
People are always curious:
“Isn’t it hard working in different clinics?”
“Don’t you miss having a permanent team?”
“Can you actually make a living doing relief full-time?”
Yes — and no. Relief work isn’t for everyone. But if you value autonomy, variety, and fair compensation, it can be a game changer. Here’s why I’m all in with FlexVet Staffing.
Burnout pushed me toward relief work, and scheduling freedom made me stay.
With FlexVet Staffing, I have complete control over when, where, and how often I work. Want to take a long weekend? Need a break between shifts? Prefer working in certain states or only handling appointments, not surgeries? All of that is possible.
There’s no rigid calendar to follow — just a schedule that fits around my life, not the other way around.
Here’s a detail that often surprises people: relief vets set their own rates through FlexVet Staffing. That means I’m not locked into a fixed salary or waiting years for a raise.
I determine my rate based on my experience, certifications, and the services I offer. Clinics can decide if that rate fits their needs — but more often than not, they see the value in skilled, reliable coverage.
The result? I earn more now as a full-time relief vet than I ever did in a traditional associate position — and I feel respected for it.
Some assume relief vets are lone wolves, but honestly, I’ve never felt more supported. The team at FlexVet Staffing checks in consistently, makes sure I have everything I need before each shift, and keeps communication flowing.
They don’t just drop you into a clinic and disappear — they work behind the scenes to ensure the fit makes sense and that expectations are aligned.
And even though I rotate through different clinics, I’ve developed strong relationships with several teams who regularly request me back. There’s a real sense of community here — both with clinics and with other relief professionals.
I didn’t leave the profession. I just found a better way to be in it.
Full-time relief work brought me back to the parts of vet med I love: patient care, client communication, medical decision-making — without the burnout that often comes with ownership or permanent roles.
The emotional load is lighter, the days are more dynamic, and the freedom to say “yes” or “no” to opportunities has brought back the excitement that used to feel so distant.
According to the AVMA, job satisfaction among veterinarians is closely tied to work-life balance — something relief work often improves.
There’s this idea that relief work is just a stopgap between “real jobs.” But for many of us, it’s the career we’ve always wanted — we just didn’t know it existed.
Full-time relief work allows me to:
And through FlexVet Staffing, it’s not just possible — it’s sustainable.
If you’re a veterinarian (or vet tech!) who’s craving more flexibility, better pay, and a healthier work-life balance, I can’t recommend this path enough.
FlexVet Staffing offers:
I didn’t leave the profession — I took ownership of it.
If you’re ready to do the same, I highly encourage you to reach out to FlexVet Staffing and explore what full-time relief work could look like for you.
