NVQ3 technician course and struggling!!

[nikki2609]

hiya, 1st message posted so just want to say a big hello to anyone reading!! formalitys out the way...im struggling!!
im doing my training through Buttercups Training and i seem to be doing it in a strange way, im doing the theory in my 1st year and method in my 2nd whereas others seem to be doing them alongside each other!
the reason im struggling is my pharmacist who has signed to be my mentor isnt helping or supporting in the slightest! im doing all i can in my own time (which seems to be every waking minute!) but im panicking as im falling behind and im having to bug the life out of locums for help instead of my own tutor mucking in!!i have mentioned this to my area manager and she is going to request an extension which would help but hasnt spoke to my pharmacist about lack of support. can anyone come up with any suggestions please? im losing all hope and to be quite honest im making myself poorly with the worry!! is it worth it?!
there you go, moan over, sorry

[allybally]

Hi Nikki
Sorry to hear you are struggling getting support on your course.
Can you talk to your 'mentor' and explain how you feel?
Is there another dispenser in your branch that could maybe point you in the right direction with it? I'm an ACT, and over the years have been asked for help which I am more than happy to give! (and if I don't know the answer I would still try to find out!
Even if you don't have someone in your branch to help, I think you should see if you could find someone else within the company who could?
Do try to keep your chin up, it is worth all the hard work......

[dizzyb23]

Hi Nikki
A warm welcome and sorry to hear you are having issues. Your situation is a very common one i'm afraid. This lack of support seems to be the norm these days. But please don't give up as once you've finished this course, you'll be so glad you did.
You are doing the right thing by highlighting the issues with your AM. You'll be able to get an extension on your course, so don't worry about that. Most folk need the extra time. As Ally suggests, you can also ask a fellow Tech or dispenser for help. These folk often know how you are feeling and hopefully, will be able to give you a bit of support. And trying to find some help from someone in another branch is also a good idea. There is always someone out there willing and able to help. But you do need to ask.....
The internet is a great source of help with your first year theory (theory first year, practical second year is a common way of doing the course), don't forget libraries etc. I virtually lived in the library during my course. It also seems that spending a huge amount of your own time doing the course is also the way most students get through it.
And this forum is a great place to come for some support. Any specific questions you have, post them clearly on here and someone will get back to you soon.
Good luck and keep at it.....

[nikki2609]

hiya, thanks for the replys, got a great ACT who i can turn to for help and she does whenever she can, i just feel its unfair that my pharmacist can agree to be my 'mentor' (in title only!) but then do nothing in return?! being very independant i hate having to depend on others for help, im enjoying the course so far, i just worry at times that i wont get through it. laptop is constantly in use and the MEP/BNF lately seems to be my reading of choice!!! (big change from Jackie Collins!!)
thanks again for the support and advice ;-)

[johnep]

Through the ages, those in authority have made hollow promises. Lord Haig promised the soldiers 'a walk in the park' before sending 60,00 to certain death in the opening battle of the Somme. Always it is jam tomorrow but never jam to day.
Exactly what we have heard for the last 20 years.
johnep

[dizzyb23]

I hope you do get some help Nikki....

[tinx25388]

When I started my course I had this problem, but upon talking to my tutor, she said that she is too busy at work, so we came up with an alternative. I email her, at home, with any questions or things I'm having problems completing and then she either replies by email or comes in with notes or information for me the next day, or if she thinks another member of staff could help me better (eg for Unit 11 I had to find out about Oxygen Service, so she suggested I spoke to one of the ACT's who used to train people on that topic)

I understand that this only works because my Pharmacist is kind enough to help me in her own time, but it might be another way round?

[dizzyb23]

What a great idea...

[hibernia]

being very independant i hate having to depend on others for help, ;-)

None of us like being dependant on others but if you learn that it is important to ask for help when you need it rather than struggling along alone it will be the best lesson of all.

Often mistakes are made by people who won't ask for help. I'm a pharmacist but I have no problem asking a technician or even a counter hand what they think a prescription is for if it isn't clear. Often they can help so why should I be too proud to ask?

[nikki2609]

thanks everyone, plodding on at the minute, im enjoying the unit im doing so im managing to work through it with little assistance, will be shouting for help at the end of it when the assignment needs completing! got a really nice locum we have occasionally who asks if im managing n if i need any help so might bite the bullet and see if she wouldnt mind occasionally helping me out, things arent looking so bleak this week, either that or i've passed over the point of worrying/caring!!