Ep 259: How to Mentor Without Burning Out (or Going Broke) with Dr. Christine Staten

The 'So You're A Vet... Now What?' Podcast

In this episode of So You’re a Vet, Now What?, Dr. Moriah McCauley welcomes back Dr. Christine Staten—veterinarian, longtime practice owner, and founder of Veterinary MBA—to share the evolution of her mentorship model at Adobe Veterinary Center in Tucson, Arizona.

Dr. Staten opens up about the hard lessons she learned after losing five new grads in a row, and how that wake-up call from her clients sparked a complete overhaul of their onboarding and mentorship approach. From SOP binders to salary safety nets, Dr. Staten lays out the nuts and bolts of how they now set up every new graduate for long-term success—both clinically and financially.

This episode is a must-listen for private practice owners feeling behind on the “mentorship buzz,” as well as new grads trying to figure out what mentorship actually looks like (and what questions to ask to get it).

Episode Outline

[00:00] – The Case for Private Practice and Mentorship

[00:05] – Mentorship Missteps and the Client Wake-Up Call

[00:07] – Turning One-Year Stints into Long-Term Careers

[00:09] – Letting Techs Lead the Hiring Process

[00:11] – Redefining Job Ads and Setting Expectations

[00:13] – Creating a Culture of Teaching and Growth

[00:15] – From Mindset Shift to Written Mentorship Plan

[00:17] – Weekly Check-ins, Smart Goals, and Flexibility

[00:20] – Salary Safety Nets, Production Pay, and ROI

[00:23] – What New Grads Need to Ask (but Don’t Know Yet)

[00:25] – The Trap of Rigid Mentorship Plans

[00:28] – Final Advice to Practice Owners and New Grads

Episode Links

• Learn more about Adobe Veterinary Center: https://adobevetcenter.com
• Explore Veterinary MBA: https://www.veterinary-mba.com/
• Follow Dr. Christine Staten on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-christine-staten-030bb168/
• See more from Dr. Moriah McCauley: https://www.instagram.com/dr.moriah.mccauley
• Connect with Dr. Moriah McCauley: https://www.linkedin.com/in/moriah-mccauley

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