A Boots pre-reg want to work in hospital once qualified

[sfp20]

Hi guys,

I have got quite a lot of questions about getting into hospital... should I start applying to the hospitals before passing my pre-reg exam? I heard that there is a much much higher chance to get into small hospital rather than big hospitals... is that true? what is the difference between teaching hosp and normal hosp?

Thanks

[Nik]

Band 6 jobs that are suitable for pre-regs are likely to be advertised from March onwards so that would be the time to start looking seriously. Whether you have a better chance with a smaller hospital or not I don't know. What is likely is that the larger trusts may keep some of their pre-regs on should they apply successfully, so in that respect competition will be tough. The teaching hospitals are larger and may have more specialties which means more rotations. Would be good if you had some previous hospital experience as such places can seem daunting. Don't let that put you off though. I'm working at a medium sized hospital of around 500 beds and it's a nice place to do my band 6 training. I know of a hospital pharmacist who did her pre-reg with boots a couple of years ago so it's possible to make the transition.

[Ap0thecary]

Band 6 jobs that are suitable for pre-regs are likely to be advertised from March onwards so that would be the time to start looking seriously. Whether you have a better chance with a smaller hospital or not I don't know. What is likely is that the larger trusts may keep some of their pre-regs on should they apply successfully, so in that respect competition will be tough. The teaching hospitals are larger and may have more specialties which means more rotations. Would be good if you had some previous hospital experience as such places can seem daunting. Don't let that put you off though. I'm working at a medium sized hospital of around 500 beds and it's a nice place to do my band 6 training. I know of a hospital pharmacist who did her pre-reg with boots a couple of years ago so it's possible to make the transition.

Our good old friend hope. I have heard of many more people who dont make the tranisition. It is like a diamond in the rough, only a few people acheive this.

[Nik]

I have heard of many more people who dont make the tranisition.

These people likely don't sell themselves during the interview - we've all done the same degree and pre-reg and community experience has its advantages. Perhaps the environment and daunting feeling of working in a new sector might also give people the willies during the interviews. Don't forget - for some community people this may be their first proper job interview for a while, if they've stuck with a particular multiple through placements, pre-reg etc.

[Ap0thecary]

^Indeed.

People say fair competition etc etc, but honestly, a hospital will mostly likely favour a hospital pre-reg or hospital experienced person etc

[Nik]

That's not necessarily true - hospitals want well rounded individuals. Experience is an additional factor in your favour but is not a prerequisite for a hospital job - take a look at some of the ads on nhs jobs.

[Ap0thecary]

Nik my good man, I will be thinking of Guns and Roses when I fill out those hospital job forms!

[Nik]

Hum the tune to "Sweet child o' mine" before the interview and you'll be fine. Make sure you leave the Slash solo impression until afterwards though.

[Hello]

I can play the intro riff on the guitar yay :-D

Apothecary

Did you apply to hospitals for pre-reg or stampede straight to community?

[Nik]

I can play the intro riff on the guitar yay :-D

Check out Igor Presnyakov's cover of sweet child on youtube.