Stressed out!

Re: Stressed out!

fairydaze — Fri, 26 Mar 2010 14:03:50 GMT

well spoke to my assessor yesterday and she seemed hinestly quite shocked that i am struggling she's promised to rota herself out of op's/consults etc once a week to go through portfolio and tutorials which would be a great help. she has also promised to rally the whole team because unfortunately they weren't really full of support when i broached the subject of time at work to do portfolio. meaning cleaning the practice came first etc however assessor went balistic when she found me scrubbing theatre whilst the 3 qualifieds chatted about new moon on dvd so have been allocated time when we are quiet to do portfolio whilst they clean one day a week which would also really help.

I'm quite relieved actually as it seems it's a simple fact of being overlooked as we're busy and once i made her aware of how i felt etc hse has been so supportive and is determined to do her part and the othe vets have been fantastic getting me into theatre and doing more solo anaesthetics etc which has been a huge confidence boost it's all more possible now

Thank you all for your support you've been great and gave me the confidence to speak up for myself.

Re: Stressed out!

Phrin Vernon RVN — Thu, 25 Mar 2010 21:06:04 GMT

I agree, that you are not being selfish, and that you need to speak to your assessor, HN and/or practice manager about the situation. If they can't or won't manage to give you the time needed with your assessor then go to your IV - I have had to do this recently, for slightly different reasons, but the support has been fantastic, and having their back up has meant things have changed at work.

Could any of your RVN or MRCVS colleagues help you out by writing witness statements? I was really struggling with my portfolio, and had it in my head that everything had to be a candidate narrative or direct assessment, but you can actually cover LOADS with a couple of well worded witness statements. My colleagues have been fantastic, and have given me loads of support, especially in this area, and it makes such a monumental difference! With their help I have covered more standards in the last couple of months, than I did in the 6 months prior!

We are often short staffed and manic too, but as my IV said, you are in a TP and they are obligated to support you through completing your portfolio. She also pointed out that it is (my) your career on the line - if portfolio isn't completed in time, you can't sit exams etc - and that in all honesty, you just have to be a bit selfish about it, and make time in any semi quiet moments. Again, my colleagues have been fab with this also, and haven't begrudged me at all for buggering off to do portfolio and leaving them to clean theatre, do meds etc.

I am sure that if you are open and honest, your colleagues will rally round and help you, and as I said, if they don't then you need to talk to your IV. But first point of call is assessor and HN.

Sorry for rambling - I hope that helps, and feel free to PM me if you want to let off some steam about it all!

Re: Stressed out!

Sal the 1st — Thu, 25 Mar 2010 20:49:46 GMT

[quote user="fairydaze"]

i'm so incredibly stressed to the max portfolio is driving me mad and we are so short staffed at work i'm getting no support whatsoever. Feel like i'll never qualify at this rate.

how do i broach the subject to my assessor that i'm so stressed i can't think straight and so exhausted i want to cry all the time?

i have put everything on hold for this job and truly want to do veterinary nursing my whole life but i can't do it myself and everyone isstruggling with overtime that i feel selfish when i say i can't cope

HELP

[/quote]

I dont think you are being selfish saying you cant cope. You are being honest, is there anything you can do just to ease the pressure a little?Is there anybody close or anybody at work you could talk to about this?

Re: Stressed out!

Susan Jackson — Thu, 25 Mar 2010 20:45:39 GMT

[quote user="fairydaze"]

I have very little time with my assessor and actually having her in the practice is a challenge but hoping she will be in more often so i can get a handle on planning my portfolio

[/quote]

Your assessor should be in the practice 2 days per week minimum to be an assessor at that branch.

Sorry to here you not getting much time with your assessor, i have two students and i must admit it is hard to get time with them. I do give them the hour each week for their tutorials that they are entitled to.

If you cannot get your assessor to help you, you need to go to your IV at college. They are the ones responsible for monitoring your training at work and making sure that you get your time.

Is there anything i can help you with now?

Re: Stressed out!

fairydaze — Thu, 25 Mar 2010 20:32:50 GMT

I have very little time with my assessor and actually having her in the practice is a challenge but hoping she will be in more often so i can get a handle on planning my portfolio

Re: Stressed out!

Maisy — Tue, 23 Mar 2010 19:07:16 GMT

Do you get any 1 to 1 time with your assessor? You do need to speak to them and I'm sure they won't mind you broaching this with them. What sort of support are you needing? If you explain what help you need, i.e time with assessor, opportunity to help with cases etc to see what needs to be changed.

It's sods law that at some point during training there are always phases of being really short staffed. You really need to speak to your assessor though as a compromise can be made about how to make sure the practice is covered as well as you having time with assessor.