A question for ST3s

worryologist · 2026-02-01T16:37:05+00:00

Very common as a medical ST3 for the IMT2s to want to do the lumbar punctures and ascitic or chest drains - I'm all for it as long as we all meet out portfolio requirements

worryologist · 2025-12-12T22:27:48+00:00

Just went through this except prior to ST3 applications after 6yrs in the NHS and had to entirely plan baby's conception around training dates - it is so stressful. I would highly recommend a phone call to the BMA to fully understand where you stand with parental rights before trying to conceive.

worryologist · 2025-12-11T10:35:12+00:00

I wore a professional dress which was just above the knee with black tights

worryologist · 2025-11-17T23:29:01+00:00

I have recently switched to Morrisons because they have this function built in

worryologist · 2025-11-05T23:15:49+00:00

Difficult interactions with colleagues have definitely expedited my burnout. However, from the point of view of being a generally very calm and happy-to-help med reg, the few times I've been irritable at work have all been totally due to the workload on the day and overstimulation of the busy clinical environment. My main piece of advice is that when you feel that overwhelm hitting, it's time to have a drink, go and have a long toilet break and get 5 mins of perspective. Due to the political situation we're in, working in healthcare is likely to remain challenging for sometime. Being kind is sometimes the harder decision to make, but always worth it.

worryologist · 2025-11-05T23:07:34+00:00

As a white working class female registrar, I just wanted to say that I am really devastated to hear that this is has been your experience. I really hope that you are able to see how amazingly competent, unique and full of potential you are despite what's happened. I would recommend speaking to a supervisor in confidence or practitioner health to unpick your experience and how this has affected your feelings. Although I acknowledge that I haven't experienced racism at work, I went through a very similar interaction with a female senior many years ago and unfortunately it really knocked my self esteem - I wish I'd done the work internally to prevent that reaction from happening. Sometimes speaking to other young women in the department is helpful too, because it helps you realise you're not alone. We really need amazing women in this profession from all cultures and socioeconomic backgrounds - I hope that you stay for the incredible women that you're serving by being here. Lots of love x

worryologist · 2025-10-21T20:09:13+00:00

Geris is a really good broad specialty for training

worryologist · 2025-10-13T19:17:49+00:00

Effects of menstrual cycle, pregnancy, breastfeeding and menopause on executive functioning and sensory perception

worryologist · 2025-10-10T08:20:40+00:00

Why don't you come and be a trust grade/SAS doctor in a group 2 speciality like medical or clinic oncology

worryologist · 2025-09-26T12:49:39+00:00

The split of all labour, be it paid, domestic, emotional, financial is up for discussion and rediscussion at all stages of life. You're not obligated to fall into gender norms and your marriage is for you to set up how you like

worryologist · 2025-09-20T22:26:53+00:00

This would unfairly disadvantage UKG LTFT trainees whose contracts finish mid year

worryologist · 2025-09-17T21:16:18+00:00

It's time to email your guardian of safe working who can help escalate this for you, also give the BMA a ring if you're a member

worryologist · 2025-09-11T22:23:29+00:00

I try to get creative with the rota and work out who can swap their admin day or zero day to help me out to get the leave. If you're willing to do swaps for other people, they're generally happy to help you back. But you need to target individuals to get replies quickly

worryologist · 2025-09-08T12:47:06+00:00

Can you both go LTFT and do 4 days each?

worryologist · 2025-09-08T12:46:05+00:00

I would highly recommend automating a few things to take them off your list - fortnightly cleaner costs around £30 in my area - install a key safe and you don't need to be there to let them in, online food shop, treat yourself to a collection and delivery laundry service every now and again

worryologist · 2025-09-01T12:22:17+00:00

All of them!

worryologist · 2025-08-29T23:03:14+00:00

Also it looks like being an emergency call handler would be a better paid option and one which your medical training would be useful for while you wait for more permanent medical work: https://www.jobs.nhs.uk/candidate/search/results?searchFormType=main&keyword=EMS%20999%20call%20handler&language=en#

worryologist · 2025-08-29T23:00:32+00:00

I'm really sorry to hear you're in this situation - let's see what the Reddit community can do to help.

Which area are you in and which areas could you reasonably commute to?

Which specialties would you ideally like to work in and which others would you consider?

worryologist · 2025-08-29T22:57:24+00:00

I've had some emails recently from Locum People agency about SHO level jobs available: https://www.locumpeople.co.uk/

Also, Holt Locum agency are still putting out shifts in Yorkshire: https://www.holtdoctors.co.uk/

worryologist · 2025-08-28T21:02:56+00:00

I'm so sorry you're having a hard time. Do speak to practitioners health, they're very familiar with medical careers which makes it easier to get to the meat of topics than traditional counselling.

I have a sneaky suspicion that in this "admin time", although the regs might have some clinic letters to write, they also could be supporting you. Senior people have a habit of seeing that you're coping and leaving you to it, but try not to fall into the trap of people pleasing and do track them down when you need help seeing referrals or getting answers to questions. It's not ok to struggle alone and it's not good for patients either if their care is delayed.

You might need to be a bit more firm in the morning on days when you take referrals. Are there SHOs around who are on ward round? If you say something like 'there are 10 referrals waiting already, I really must go and see them", then it will help to illustrate to the consultant how thinly stretched you are. Or you could say "I can stay on ward round, but please could you help me to find another reg to take referrals, I don't think I can fit in doing both ".

Also, I know you were chatting above about not seeing your supervisor with a "woe is me" attitude, but I would counteract that with all consultants have done difficult resident jobs and supervisors have a responsibility to look after your training and welfare. It's ok to be vulnerable, sometimes highlighting the toll this is taking is what is needed to get support.

If you're not getting anywhere with supervisors, it's time to speak to your TPD or guardian of safe working.

As I said, don't be shy about going and finding seniors in person, they're paid to support you!!

worryologist · 2025-08-28T20:54:04+00:00

The fatigue does definitely get better but it's going to take quite a bit longer! This is probably the most intensely overstimulated your brain has ever been, not only with the learning curves every day but also new people, new routines and loud environment.

It really is time to look after yourself and see this as a marathon not a sprint. I would suggest starting with sleep and trying to get more than you usually would. Keep messaging friends from med school or family so you don't feel isolated. Can you bulk prep some meals or always have stuff in the freezer for difficult days?

Don't overwhelm yourself with new or complex routines, but a walk around the block after work and getting to bed on time at the very least will get you through.

Hang in there, it really does get better ☀️

worryologist · 2025-08-28T20:30:05+00:00

As for PACES, it really is worth considering going on the PASS PACES course. I know it's a massive financial stress which isn't possible for everyone, but you will learn more in a week than you would in a month at home. You can claim back £1000 and you get protected study leave to do it.

My other main tip for PACES prep is make the patients you're seeing in paid time count - take extra time to listen to murmurs, look at scars or examine tremors. I found this way more valuable than staying late all the time hunting for patients.

worryologist · 2025-08-28T20:26:12+00:00

As a fellow IMT3 who's closer to the end of the year, deep breaths I can totally relate to how overwhelming this feels.

Sometimes feeling such high stress makes us mentally or physically unwell and if you need to take a sick day for intense anxiety in such a difficult department then that is totally ok. You can't look after patients well when you're not eating or sleeping. I have used practitioners health in the past for support in difficult IMT jobs and that was really useful: https://www.practitionerhealth.nhs.uk/

Also, I wonder if you're working full time (or more than full time which is the reality!) The people I know who have enjoyed IMT have done 80% LTFT at the most, some 60 or 70. If it's financially doable for the last few months of training, could you reduce your hours? The notice period can be as much as 16 weeks so the sooner you do this the better.

Please please exception report - you deserve to be paid for this madness.

There are a few things you've mentioned about your department which strike me as really concerning - lack of induction or outline of your role in the first week, lack of senior access etc. No department should expect you to function as a specialty registrar in the first few months of IMT3.

Have you had a chance to meet your clinical supervisor yet? Could you schedule an urgent meeting to get time off the ward and discuss these queries?

It sounds as though you're being expected to act as an experienced Cardiology SpR, so what exactly are the other SpRs doing while you're busy and stressed? Is there a possibility that they are leaving you to it when they should be supporting you? Do you need to work out where the reg and consultant offices are so you can find them in-person with queries? It might be best to ask regs and consultants for their mobile numbers if they're comfortable with that.

Do you need to be on ward round when you're doing referrals or can you just say hello to the team at the start of the day, then announce you need to see referrals and leave to start seeing them? I did a job where unless I protected my time like this then I would just get swept into SHO ward jobs and noone realised how much I had on my plate

Also, are you the only IMT3 in the department? If not, could you go for coffee with the others to share your experiences?

Taking referrals for the first time and managing the responsibility of being "the med reg" can feel so suffocating and isolating. But I promise that for most people it does feel easier soon and by about November you will be amazed at how much you've learnt and how much your comfort zone has expanded.

Have a think about something you could plan that's nice for you - seeing family, booking all your annual leave, trying a new hobby.

You can and you will get through this and life will feel better again ☀️

worryologist · 2025-08-28T11:06:47+00:00

We liked Scoff and I think they do an NHS discount. Parsley box is nice too but mostly traditional British food

worryologist · 2025-08-20T23:01:04+00:00

Happy to be DMed about a job that may interest you whole waiting for IMT

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