How do you build real confidence when your first job is solo ER overnights? Can open, transparent care and shared decision-making transform client trust?

Host Dr. Dani Rabwin is joined by Dr. Morgan Stoddard, DVM (UIUC ’20) for a fast, practical deep dive into ER mentorship, communication that lowers stress, and leadership that leads with love.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why structured ER mentorship matters—especially on solo overnights
• Client language that lowers the load: “I’m the recommender; you’re the decider”
• Trust-builders you can use immediately (narrate-the-exam, in-room X-rays/laptop, let clients listen)
• How to bring “open ER” transparency to any clinic—no remodel required
• Mistakes & recoveries: dystocia hemorrhage stabilization + when to phone a mentor
• Owning outcomes: communicating clearly after a “negative explore” following prior R&A
• Feedback that helps: lead with love, tailor delivery, and use a “wins box”
• Confidence scripts for “You look so young!” and curbside → face-to-face transitions
• Burnout to fit: when to pivot and how to find the right mentorship structure

Timestamps:

00:00 – Intro: Dr. Morgan Stoddard—ER path, UIUC ’20, why confidence is built (not born)

03:02 – First job reality: solo overnights during curbside and the hidden upsides

03:02 - Solo overnights during curbside: reality + hidden upsides

07:18 -Scripts that save you: recommender/decider + looking things up gracefully

11:06 - Shared decisions, not sales: reducing moral weight

15:20 - Open ER transparency: narrate-the-exam, X-rays in-room, stethoscope listening

20:44 - Case lessons: dystocia hemorrhage & phone-a-mentor

26:03 - “Negative explore” after prior R&A: owning outcomes + next steps

31:12 - Leading with love: feedback, safety, and the wins box

36:25 - Curbside → face-to-face: age comments + clinical presence 41:10

Resources mentioned

• Sample “recommender/decider” scripts (ER & GP)
• Narrate-the-exam + transparency checklist
• Tough-case debrief template (+ wins box idea)

Ready Vet Go — because mentorship matters, and vets shouldn’t have to go it alone.

Follow: @readyvetgo_

Contact: info@pacificlensstudios.com

#ERveterinary #mentorship #communication #vetmed #ReadyVetGo