Fresh new 'mum of a medicine applicant' thread.

[Mindgone]

I thought I would start a new one, as the last one went a bit 'off topic'! How's everyone getting on? Am so excited, and a bit nervous, as DS has two interviews coming up! How is everyone else's DCs preparing? Also, any tips from anyone who's been there?

[Carriemac]

Hi both ! DS already planning an F3 year, he is thinking anaesthesia too but want to travel a bit as well. He's thriving, loving Manchester, usually moans about Rotas etc but compared to DHs day the time off is excellent

[Decorhate]

Hi @Mindgone

My Dd had her first rotation in a major Trauma ward so the subsequent ones have been a bit boring in comparison! She loves being in London though. Long term she is thinking of anaesthetics I think. I’ll admit I am not up to speed with the process for future years. She mentioned that she does not want to do exams this summer which apparently she would have to do if applying to start a training programme after her F2 year so is planning on doing something else/locum work for a year after F2 instead, hopefully still in London. What are your Ds’ plans for next year?

[Mindgone]

Hi @Carriemac and @Decorhate
It’s great to hear from you. DS is still loving it (thankfully) getting towards the end of F2. He is finally having a ‘proper’ graduation in July, so we’re really looking forward to that, after 7 years!! He’s just started a GP placement this week, and is really looking forward to normal working hours without nights and weekends.
How are your DCs enjoying it all? Any ideas of career plans?

[Decorhate]

Well done for finding the old thread @Carriemac ! Where has everyone ended up for their F1/2 years? Dd is in London so much closer to home now which is nice after 6 years. Some of her friends have stayed in Leeds so she goes back fairly regularly

[Carriemac]

a very late bump to this thread which was so supportive the the aspiring medics - as DS had his graduation this week, as did @Decorhate s DD. Howi
did everyone else get on in the end?@hellsbells99 @Mindgone@Oyster2 have we F1/F2s or they take another path?

[Mindgone]

Hi to anyone still here 👋
DS now in 5th year, that’s flown! Starting application process for foundation jobs now, thankfully still enjoying it all.

[mumsneedwine]

I'm at work but I'll find it for you later. My DD was given info from her uni as affects her.

[alreadytaken]

when the national test was announced they said it wouldnt be used in the Foundation allocation. I dont think anyone expected that to last - but where have they announced the new rules?

[mumsneedwine]

Foundation year points all changing. SJT will have lots more weight and there will now be a national test that all Drs take, as well as their Uni ones. Publishing a paper and getting another degree also get you a few points.

[alreadytaken]

www.foundationprogramme.nhs.uk/content/academic-training

If they might want to go down that route they probably know about it already but they really need to get some papers published and try to present at conferences. The Situational Judgement Test is less important and they know before the rest where they will be living. It does have an impact on pay though as the academic section is unbanded.

[Mindgone]

Alreadytaken, what’s the Academic Foundation programme?

[alreadytaken]

Most students find they are worse off on the NHS bursary, especially the last year. Their non medic friends are also graduating and have money to spend, it's hard to still be a poor student.

NHS bursary want original documents again and work on a more recent financial year so you supply two lots of data. They are a bit more efficient than student finance though.

Time to start thinking of possible electives and if they want to apply for the highly competitive Academic Foundation programme.

[Decorhate]

I can’t say what dd did as she was the only one in her year who did that option so might be too revealing! She enjoyed having a year where she had time to do all those things that students with less contact hours get to do. But did not enjoy doing her dissertation!

Re the Bursary- from what we’ve seen it doesn't quite make up the reduction in the student loan so overall she will have less. No doubt we will be subbing her even more...

[Mindgone]

Hi Decorhate, great to hear from you! DS didn’t fancy intercalating, even though we thought it would be good for him. I’m not sure about the finances, he’s applied for the nhs funding and bursary himself. As far as I know, the bursary is just £1k, so won’t go too far, but a nice addition to help out. Is your DD still enjoying it? What did she study for the last year? DS is still loving it, but lots of hard work!

[EllaSbar]

For everyone supporting a medicine applicant, please tell them about the free UK Aspiring Healthcare Professionals Conference 2019 by Generation Medics. It will be on the 27th June 2019 at the Millennium Point in Birmingham, and will be extremely beneficial to any state school students interested in a career in healthcare.

It's set to be the UK's largest free health and care careers conference and will consist of a large zoned interactive exhibition area, talks and activities all designed to bring careers in Healthcare and STEM to life. Students will be able to take part in fun interactive activities including taking blood, using real hospital scanning equipment and learning life-saving skills!

Young people can come with their school or as individuals accompanied by a parent/guardian.

Here is the link to the event: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/uk-aspiring-healthcare-professionals-conference-2019-by-generation-medics-tickets-62645975800. We really hope to see some of you there!

[Decorhate]

Hi Mindgone

I’m still here! Dd took a year out this year to intercalate (because a degree in medicine is not long enough obviously!) so will be going into 4th year in September.

Even so, it seems rather scary that they will be let loose on patients very soon!

How did you find the finances worked for your ds once they went onto the NHS bursary? Overall dd will have less next year I think. Which seems unfair when it is harder & harder for them to get holiday work.

[Mindgone]

Decorhate and Carriemac, are you still around? I can’t believe we’re approaching the end of fourth year!

[Decorhate]

That will certainly keep you busy!

[Carriemac]

Finish my phd and redecorate!

[Decorhate]

That's great news Carrie. I have a couple of more years before the next one goes off. But will be starting Open Day visits next month. Have you got plans to do anything in particular to take your mind off the empty nest?

[Carriemac]

Anyone with DCs doing A levels? Please to report the DTs are into their chosen courses so empty nest becons...

[Decorhate]

Hi Sleight. There are other threads with probably more recent information (our dcs are just finished their second year) but please do feel free to ask any questions.

I don't know if others feel the same but my dd feels that the actual course is quite manageable having been through the stressful application process & A Levels!

[SleightOfMind]

Can I shuffle in and eavesdrop for a bit?
DS1(16) is dead set on med school. He's just finished his GCSEs and we have medical friends and family who are happy to help but this thread has been a real eye opener.
Have been lurking but would like to be able to find you again more easily.

[Mindgone]

Thank you

[Carriemac]

Yes well done mindgones DS and all of them and looking forward to a great third year for them all