Table 2 Descriptive results of study population variables (n = 370)

Employment Status

Full time

90.8

327

Part time

7.2

26

Unemployed

0.3

1

Locum

1.1

4

Postgraduate

0.6

2

Answered

100

360

Missing data

10

Length in last job

<  1 year

15.5

52

1–2 years

25.4

85

2–3 years

14.6

49

3–4 years

10.4

35

> 5 years

14.9

50

Still in first job

19.1

64

Answered

100

335

Missing data

35

Longest duration in one job

Mean (Years) (SD)

5.2

320

Missing data

50

Satisfaction in current job

Extremely satisfied

16.6

55

Somewhat satisfied

47.9

159

Neither satisfied nor dissatisfied

8.7

29

Somewhat dissatisfied

20.8

69

Extremely dissatisfied

6.0

20

Answered

100

332

Missing data

38

Satisfaction with work-life balance

Satisfied

37.5

124

Neither satisfied nor dissatisfied

9.7

32

Dissatisfied

52.9

175

Answered

100

331

Missing data

39

Likelihood of staying in Ireland

Extremely likely

70.2

233

Somewhat likely

17.5

58

Neither likely nor unlikely

3.3

11

Somewhat unlikely

6.9

23

Extremely unlikely

2.1

7

Answered

100

332

Missing data

38

Likelihood of leaving vet profession in next 5–10 years

Extremely likely

10.3

34

Somewhat likely

22.5

74

Neither likely nor unlikely

11.9

39

Somewhat unlikely

16.4

54

Extremely unlikely

38.9

128

Answered

100

329

Missing data

41

Likelihood of looking for a new job in the next 2 years

Extremely likely

32.4

107

Somewhat likely

21.2

70

Neither likely nor unlikely

8.5

28

Somewhat unlikely

16.4

54

Extremely unlikely

21.5

71

Answered

100

330

Missing data

40

Reason for leaving current position (Pick 3 reasons)

Top 5 displayed.

Work-life balance

51.4

127

Salary

36.8

91

Family

26.7

66

Working hours

26.3

65

OOH Rota

25.5

63

Answers

100

247

Missing data

-

Future aspirations if leaving current position (Multiple answers permitted)

Same type of work, but different employer

47.6

121

Different work, but still in veterinary field

27.2

69

Take a break for family or travel

14.2

36

Leave the veterinary field

10.2

26

Partnership

0.4

1

Retirement

0.4

1

Answers

100

254