block release away from home

Re: block release away from home

paula morgan — Sat, 25 Apr 2009 13:54:59 GMT

yes x

Re: block release away from home

Emily Hibbs — Sat, 25 Apr 2009 12:53:26 GMT

[quote user="paula morgan"]

Hi Emily, no I havnt got to the digs part yet, I start in August. How did you find out about Tracey? The college are supposed to be sending me all the info. Its the ANA course I am doing first as I dont have the qualifications to go straight in to vn course.

[/quote]

Hiya, yeah college send you a welcome pack with all the info about funding, accommodation etc, which is how I found out about Tracey. From what I remember they sent the packs out about May time but might be different if doing the ANA. If you don't hear soon I would contact Pippa/Louise at college to ask as digs get taken quite quickly!

Let me know if you want to now anything else!

Re: block release away from home

Mac Feather — Sat, 25 Apr 2009 11:35:54 GMT

[quote user="paula morgan"]

I am based in Inverness, have a placement at Inshes vets. How long ago were you there Emily? your digs sound what I am looking for x

[/quote]

Do u stay in Inverness Paula?

Re: block release away from home

paula morgan — Sat, 25 Apr 2009 11:11:04 GMT

Re: block release away from home

Emily Hibbs — Sat, 25 Apr 2009 10:41:56 GMT

[quote user="paula morgan"]

I am based in Inverness, have a placement at Inshes vets. How long ago were you there Emily? your digs sound what I am looking for x

[/quote]

My last block was 2 weeks May 2008 and although I've finished going to college and done the written exams for level 3, I still have portfolio and practicals to go (for many reasons I'm not qalified yet!). Do you have digs yet? I stayed with Tracey Kay - I was the only student at one time for her, had my own room, tv and wireless internet access for my laptop and was given breakfast and evening meals, although as as group we did all go out together quite alot!

Re: block release away from home

Nicola Jamieson — Sat, 25 Apr 2009 00:46:42 GMT

Hiya!

I am currently coming towards my last two week block at college. I did my first year at Telford and am currently doing my 2nd year at Thurso. I don't have children but i do have my other half and my dogs who i have to leave behind, it is hard and the first block i found to be the worst, but you soon get used to being away. I just have regular contact with my other half with text and phoning. It helps that i go to college with one of my friends and colleagues. When you get there though you will meet class members in the same situation and you might end up having a few nights out together to pass the time.

The first few blocks in thurso we stayed at Murray House b+b they do have a website if you google it - not sure of the web address of the top of my head. Angela is lovely and the rooms are nice - only issue is that you don't get an evening meal unless there are two of you staying. The thrid block we stayed at the Royal Hotel which was nice - good rooms, lovely breakfast room. The bar food was ok but the choice did not change and seeing it was January the restaurant didnt appear to be open. The next time we are up is May and we are staying at the Weigh Inn. My colleague has stayed there before and liked it.

Hope this has been of some help. I highly recommend the course - i love it! The portfolio is hard work but once you get going you get used to it, and it will be worth it in the end!

Best of Luck xx

Re: block release away from home

paula morgan — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 23:34:56 GMT

Thanx Saskia, am just goin to get my head down. Dont get me wrong, I am really looking forward to it, just a wee bit apprehensive about being away from home.

Re: block release away from home

Saskia Quinn — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 23:32:37 GMT

I wish you all the luck in the world Paula. It may be tough, but the benefits will definitely outweigh the tough times!

If I can do it, anyone can!! I am sure you will be fine! x

Re: block release away from home

paula morgan — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 23:30:13 GMT

Thanx Saskia, I think I will be much the same, but I I have to look at the end game x

Re: block release away from home

paula morgan — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 23:28:26 GMT

I am based in Inverness, have a placement at Inshes vets. How long ago were you there Emily? your digs sound what I am looking for x

Re: block release away from home

Saskia Quinn — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 22:51:02 GMT

When I was doing my VN training, I was away for 1 week at a time, Sunday night until Friday evening. Most of sunday was spent crying my eyes out!!

I wasnt long married so that probably had a lot to do with it!

However, I did get to meet some great people and I also found that being away from home proved less distractions and I spent all my evenings reading over stuff we had been taught that day. I would definitely recommend it from a study part of view.

Re: block release away from home

Emily Hibbs — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 22:45:13 GMT

[quote user="paula morgan"]

hi Emily, its Thurso i am going to. Although am slightly different from you as am married with 2 kids. Where did you stay? Was the course good?

[/quote]

Hiya! Yeah I did actually enjoy my time at Thurso, apart from the travelling (7 hours by train!) and the weather sometimes (although my last block last May was 2 weeks of sun and I came home sunburnt!!). I stayed with a lady and her young son in Thorkel Road which is only a short walk from the college - it was just like home from home staying with her! Our year were really close as there was only 8 of us so made some lovely friends!

Did enjoy most of the course too, alot of hard work though (and I'm still not qualified!) but Pippa and Louise are both great! You will get to do first aid and manual handling for level 2 also and get certificates for these. Level 3 is more practically based (as practical exams to pass to qualify) but I think we did a little bit of practical for level 2.

Do you start this September? Where are you based just out of interest?

Re: block release away from home

Claire Cameron — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 22:40:04 GMT

Another point to add about the college, I cried on my first night, I was dreading it, and cried the day I left, we were all in tears, lecturers included.

I went to Myerscough and stayed in college accomodation, usually my own room, sink and cupboards and a desk and shared bathroom. couple times a few of us shared a room, in a flat almost, 3 rooms, 2 girls in each, shared bathroom with just us. our own kitchen.

Re: block release away from home

paula morgan — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 22:33:16 GMT

hi Emily, its Thurso i am going to. Although am slightly different from you as am married with 2 kids. Where did you stay? Was the course good?

Re: block release away from home

Mac Feather — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 22:25:48 GMT

The first time I was at college was a bit unfunny but once I got over it I enjoyed the times after that,kinda looked forward to the change/break in routine.

Re: block release away from home

Sandra Taylor RVN, MBVNA — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 21:41:13 GMT

[quote user="MissVetNurse"]

[quote user="STRVN"]

I agree with the others, I made a lot of good friends and aquaintances while locuming, and a few are on here so we can catch up all the time.

[/quote]

same here re locumming, still in touch with practices I worked at regularly, its nice to meet people from different parts of the country who you probably wouldnt meet, I think!

[/quote]

agree, and it's great to see other parts of the country too.

When I locumed in Derbyshire, I stayed over one of the weekends and went hill walking , and visited eyam the plague village, and also went shopping in Stockport.

Hi Loubylou

Also in Inverness I visited loch ness, something I had always wanted to do, and the shops there are fab too.

Hi Heather

I took my dogs with me which were good company, and gave me a good reason to do some walking too.

Re: block release away from home

Claire Cameron — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 21:36:29 GMT

[quote user="STRVN"]

I agree with the others, I made a lot of good friends and aquaintances while locuming, and a few are on here so we can catch up all the time.

[/quote]

same here re locumming, still in touch with practices I worked at regularly, its nice to meet people from different parts of the country who you probably wouldnt meet, I think!

Re: block release away from home

Sandra Taylor RVN, MBVNA — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 21:34:33 GMT

I agree with the others, I made a lot of good friends and aquaintances while locuming, and a few are on here so we can catch up all the time.

Re: block release away from home

Emily Hibbs — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 21:29:42 GMT

Hiya, I went to college via block release at North Highland in Thurso and although I don't have any children and still live at home, I actually didn't mind being away from home and the practice for a couple of weeks, although I did start to miss people!! It was a bit strange when I first started as we were all new at college and I didn't know anyone to travel up with, but by the time I finished the last block of level 3 last year, I actually missed it!! It was just nice having a break from the routine of home and work.

Re: block release away from home

Claire Cameron — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 21:27:41 GMT

I went to block release and LOVED it, met some really really good friends, also met my boyfriend at college!

Learnt so much being away from work

Still see my friends regularly even though we're scattered throughout the country, wales, london, isle of man! etc

Best experiences ever, I loved every minute, really good fun, cant recommend it enough! x

Re: block release away from home

paula morgan — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 21:20:34 GMT

thanx for your reply I have just got to get my head round it an do it, because if i dont I wont qualify. Its just a bit daunting really as i wont know anyone or anything but am sure there will be plenty people in the same boat as me x

Re: block release away from home

Sandra Taylor RVN, MBVNA — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 20:15:37 GMT

Hi Paula, I am a Locum and have frequently been away from home, my kids at the time I started doing locum work were 13 and 15, now they are 15 and 18, it was difficult at times, but I also enjoyed the peace and quiet too. It was not that bad, the only time I did not like it was if I had to stay over a weekend, and I only done that twice.

Re: block release away from home

paula morgan — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 19:47:44 GMT

Yes, I have a son of 20 and a daughter of 10. They are really encouraging me and we have webcams on laptops and stuff, but I think that would probably make me worse!

Re: block release away from home

Mac Feather — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 19:41:09 GMT

Do you have children? Sorry if thats an obvious question but I just have a husband and if I go away anywhere I do worry how he will cope by himself!!!!! I know that sounds sad but he is a bit useless when on his own!