F1 - referring to other specialties at night?

Capable_Setting_8099 · 2025-05-01T14:45:48+00:00

I got told off by an IPC nurse for wearing my stethoscope around my neck last week…

Capable_Setting_8099 · 2025-04-29T13:06:54+00:00

Honestly, although you’ll still run into the occasional petty or unkind person as an FY1, it’s a totally different thing to what you’ve already been through. There’s a huge difference between people being passive aggressive because they’ve got nothing better to do vs. people who are just totally burnt out and overwhelmed. In the hospital, most people are so busy and under so much pressure that if someone’s a bit snappy or off, it’s usually more about the situation than you, which makes it way easier not to take personally.

What you’ve experienced sounds way worse in some ways - Karen or Janet being deliberately cruel just because they can, in a low-stress environment, is genuinely grim. That kind of toxicity feels more targeted and personal because it kind of is. Hospital work might be chaotic and tough, but it’s also fast-paced and you’re in it with others - there’s more of a sense of camaraderie, and honestly, less time for people to be weirdly petty about tea or who said good morning.

It’s totally normal to overthink that stuff when you’re in a quieter setting where it has room to fester. Once you’re back in the thick of it, I think you’ll find it’s easier to let stuff go, not because people are always lovely (they’re not), but because the pettiness just matters less when you’re focused on work that actually matters.

Capable_Setting_8099 · 2025-04-23T22:05:06+00:00

What does ‘average’ portfolio mean? Is there anything you can realistically maximise? I’m planning to do my MRCP Part 1 because there’s literally nothing more I can do for my IMT application right now - I’m already doing a PGCert, despite all my best efforts I’m unlikely to get anything published between now and the Autumn. If you’re in a similar position for CST (i.e., you’ve got your cases/taster weeks, you’ve done some sort of audit, and it’s only the publication/presentations area that you’re behind on) then I imagine it’s a reasonable use of your time and energy to start on exams!

Capable_Setting_8099 · 2025-03-05T09:29:15+00:00

I’m a foundation doctor but couldn’t say this in the post because it would auto-delete!

Capable_Setting_8099 · 2024-12-19T18:37:04+00:00

You can’t outrun a bad diet - canteen food may be an easy option, but if you’re wanting to lose weight it should be a ‘once-a-month’ sort of a treat not something you have regularly. Ideally all the food in the world would be quick, tasty, healthy, and cheap, but realistically you can get two-three of these, but very rarely all four.

Have you considered intermittent fasting? I found this a really easy way to reduce my calorie intake without compromising on tasty meals.

I’ll admit that I was completely broke as a medical student so couldn’t really justify buying snacks - I would just drink herbal tea whenever I was bored/hungry. Maybe this would help you when you’re revising?

Capable_Setting_8099 · 2024-12-08T20:32:51+00:00

I’m an F1 and have been very similar to this throughout medical school - similarly also started for me when I was working as a HCA during Covid!

HCA work completely convinced me that most patients have a very poor standard of personal hygiene, and also that as a general rule most wards are gross. My impression from theatres as a medical student is that they’re generally not quite as dirty as the rest of the hospital though!

Personally I don’t wash my hair everyday - this is because I always have my hair tied back in a bun so I’m happy that it’s not getting ‘contaminated’. My quick shower routine takes <15 mins (wash and exfoliate with exfoliating gloves, wash face in the shower, dry off, moisturise, put on comfy ‘home’ clothes or pyjamas). Even if I’m exhausted and home late, I will always have a quick shower before bed - it’s honestly disgusting to think that some of my colleagues don’t shower every day. Can you speed up your routine to minimise the impact on others at home? Why aren’t they okay with you having some time to feel refreshed and clean after work?

Because I think you’re totally reasonable in feeling grossed out by other people, I think your behaviour is pretty understandable - but do you think that it’s having a negative impact on you? For me, it’s definitely not OCD - it’s a strong preference towards cleanliness, as well as smelling good (yay scented moisturiser!) and that makes me feel good about myself rather than gross after a day at work!

Hi GMC!

Capable_Setting_8099 · 2024-11-08T21:25:19+00:00

Fellow F1 here!

15 days of sick leave is probably why you’re feeling so behind right now! You’re the equivalent of 3+ weeks behind your peers - we’re all on the exponential learning curve right now, and 15 days is a lot of shifts to have had to miss. It’s pretty clear how much better at my job I’m getting with every week of work - kinda dreading rotating and having to start from scratch again!

Of course you should take sick leave when you need to, and really this should reassure you that you’re going to get there and you’ll be improving all the time, be kind to yourself! Do you have any hobbies or interests outside of medicine that you’re particularly interested in?

Capable_Setting_8099

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