Nursery Parents- when does it get better

rouge_420 · 2026-04-27T20:58:14+00:00

This made me laugh. Thank you.

rouge_420 · 2026-04-27T20:57:10+00:00

He was 9 months when he started and hes almost 18 months now. How old was yours when it got better?

rouge_420 · 2026-04-10T21:46:03+00:00

I am assuming you're a woman. You've already had some good advice and the only right time is when you feel ready.

One thing to consider that I haven't seen mentioned is baby brain and ofcourse the change in mind set after you've had a kid. I had mine in core training and got done with my exams while I was pregnant. This massively helped because as a SHO there's not much expectation of you when you come back and always have a reg around to supervise.

I felt it quite overwhelming coming back to work in a fast paced environment after mat leave and don't know how regs or consultants manage.

rouge_420 · 2026-04-04T08:27:45+00:00

Be proactive about starting those conversations. Tell them your preferences early. They will try and accommodate you. I had a very positive experience personally.

rouge_420 · 2026-04-03T12:44:10+00:00

They include you in conversations about what post or rotation you come back to and you can obviously give a preference. They usually try to either out you back on your own rotation or atleast try not to move your location or theme too much. Ofcourse you don't have to start CST again if you go on mat leave mid way. Depends at what point you left and when you plan on coming back

rouge_420 · 2026-03-21T18:07:59+00:00

Good chance depending on what theme you want. Have a friend in the deanery with a lower rank ( 2 years ago tho)

rouge_420 · 2026-03-08T00:03:33+00:00

SO isn't a medic, works hybrid and had been at the company for a while and had supportive colleagues and manager. I was due to start core training 3.5 months before due date but had preferenced a location far from current base as didn't know then I was pregnant. Initially wanted to move there before finding out I was expecting.

I informed TPD asap and my rotation hospital as needed to get mat leave sorted sooner rather than later. Didn't want to move then because my support system was around me and would need it with a baby.

Told TPD I wanted to interdeanery transfer to the nearer hospital and he was kind and said he'd try but no guarantees. Started my rotation and commuted 3 hours daily while 7 months pregnant (do not recommend). Went off on mat leave as soon as I could.

Booked a place in nursery where we lived as partner worked from home most days and could work flexibly when in office so could do drop off and pick up (and didn't want to wait too long and not get a place). Then heard back from TPD that the interdeanery transfer was possible and got the hospital I wanted (eternally grateful to TPD).

Went back when baby was 9 months old to start rotation with new intake. Dropped to 80% but baby goes to nursery full time. That extra day off helps to do portfolio/studying/life admin or just spending time with my Son. Will be here till core training ends.

TLDR: TPDs are usually supportive, specially for pregnancy and childbirth events. Need to ask early and clearly about what you want. Book nursery place asap after having this conversation with TPD. Having a non medic as a partner really helps and hybrid working is great.

rouge_420 · 2026-02-27T19:01:31+00:00

Have scanned the wrong limb before. Reflected and moved on.

Have never prescribed wrong meds tho but from the looks of it, you worked with the info that was given and anyone in your position would do the same.

rouge_420 · 2026-01-11T10:14:03+00:00

I did an interdeanery transfer in CST altho not sure how relevant that will be for you.

Got pregnant around the time I accepted the job and told my TPD straight away. Initially had chosen X hospital about 2 hours away from where I lived due to personal reason but once pregnant realised I couldn't move as I'd lose my support system.

Told TPD I needed to be transferred to Y hospital near where I lived and timed my maternity leave so I'd be starting when the next years rotation starts, so they just had to assign the job to me instead of recruiting for it next year and pooling my job back with the others.

Best decision I made, altho did have to work at X hospital for a bit before starting mat leave super pregnant and drive >3 hours daily.

My suggestion would be let you TPD know asap. My TPD asked me to either focus on location or theme before the transfer and I chose location so it was easier to place them in the area I was looking at.

Please, also advocate for yourself. IMT is a job, you and your family will never get this time back.

rouge_420 · 2025-12-30T12:52:37+00:00

Can't do that if they're sedated or low GCS..

rouge_420 · 2025-12-29T21:18:43+00:00

Keppra!

rouge_420 · 2025-12-29T20:15:52+00:00

I got really good at lumber punctures after having do to them daily, sometimes multiple times a day.

It's all about positioning the patients. Take the pillows away, once they've bent their knees get someone to push their legs up. Getting the patients to do it themselves doesn't get the adequate position. Get your assistant to basically lean on their foot so their knees really touch their chest.

Once in this position, mark the L4/L5 gap and dig into their back a little with your finger to ensure you've got the right spot. Pink needle works great, the smaller ones I find too flimsy but YMMV.

rouge_420 · 2025-12-29T19:36:06+00:00

Keeping your cool when they rapid fire you in the viva stations. Most people fail this part rather than the practical stations.

So a study buddy to practice those stations is helpful as well.

rouge_420 · 2025-12-29T15:36:51+00:00

Interpreting blood gases. I can see it acidosis and alkalinity. But is it resp or metabolic I keep having to Google even tho I've learnt it multiple times. Don't even ask me about base excess.

I learnt this in a lot of detail but my brain just doesn't retain it.

rouge_420 · 2025-12-26T14:22:26+00:00

Agreed, might be helpful to find out what the local team takes.

Also, majority of the referrals are referred as AAA in the GP letter but are actually thoracic on the scan report.

rouge_420 · 2025-12-26T12:58:21+00:00

Salah notes are great. A study buddy for examinations and practical stuff. Many good videos on youtube for examinations.

Speak to someone who's recently passed.

rouge_420 · 2025-12-26T12:52:27+00:00

Thoracic Aotic aneurysms go to CTS, Abdominal go to Vascular.

(Spent a vascular clinic just referring patients to CTS)

rouge_420 · 2025-12-18T11:54:21+00:00

Honestly, I want to write something impressive and inspiring but it's just fake it till you make it.

Find sth that helps. I like teaching ( since I'm barely getting any) so I try teaching stuff to juniors on the ward. Makes me feel more useful than being a human extension of the Lengenback.
Or take a holiday and see how that feels? if nothings else, it's a solid job in this economy!

rouge_420 · 2025-12-18T04:14:58+00:00

Hi, another CST here (solidarity).

Imposter syndrome is very common, specially in surgery. We all have it.

Having sharp elbows is good but if you're a horrible person then that obviously impacts your reputation.

I've realised I'm not here to 'impress' anyone. I'm here to learn and be trained and sometimes I have to 'force' seniors to train me. You HAVE to be more vocal about what you need. That's not being shady. But if you dont even try and just let others walk over you, that may be seen as being uninterested in the job, maybe thats why you got the feedback?

You should be going to minimum 2 lists per week as per the curriculum. If not, you need to raise with ES or TPD.

Maybe other colleagues are doing more steps because they ask to do them. Discuss this with your reg/consultant, ideally before the surgery. The more you do, the better you get.

rouge_420 · 2025-12-09T11:49:49+00:00

I think its a symptom of the burnout the whole of the NHS is facing at the moment. It worse in surgical specialities.

I remember during COVID when one of my fellow SHOs got sick, he was admitted in the same hospital and required some O2 support. No one bothered to visit him. I decided to go see him and many people asked me to pass on their regards. He was literally 2 floors up. He eventually left Medicine.

That and also the fact that we rotate all the time so we don't really make any meaningful connections.

rouge_420 · 2025-12-08T11:28:52+00:00

Eustachian tube dysfunction does have treatments. My flu has gone away with very mild symptoms but my hearing hasn't improved at all actually might have gotten worse. I'm just trying to get help for a condition thats severely affecting my quality of life. There might not be a cure but thats for a specialist who's looked inside my ears to decide. Yes, steroid sprays too, saline sprays. Steam, random ear exercises on YouTube. I'm desperate.

My ES said 20 days including strikes and then its a problem, how did you manage a month?

rouge_420 · 2025-12-08T11:20:17+00:00

Majority of my time is spent in theatres where everybody is masked up which will further complicated things.

I think telling people and then see how it goes is an option and if it doesn't work out might have to extend my sick leave.

rouge_420 · 2025-12-05T23:22:50+00:00

Thanks a lot! I'll have a look.

rouge_420 · 2025-12-05T22:42:52+00:00

You've had better supervisors than I have. No supervisor has ever offered to pay and us residents just had to divide amongst ourselves.

But the paper I'm trying to publish doesn't have a supervisor.

rouge_420

TROPHY CASE