ODP's / MTO's / THEATRE NURSES

[sweetheart]

Do we have any on AB?? I'm only asking cuz i'm a trainee and want to know how you find it??

[SteveD]

I spent half my working life in operating theatres (Luton & Dunstable Hospital, Birmingham Accident Hospital, Victoria Hospital, Blackpool, Great Ormond St, London, H�pital Erasme, Brussels).  I did the Theatre Technicians' course (as it then was) in Birmingham.  In Blackpool, I got involved in cardiac surgery and worked as a perfusionist in Gt Ormond St and Brussels.

 

This experience landed me a good job in marketing which allowed me to travel all over Europe and beyond.

 

Operating theatre work is very special and you will see some fascinating things and some tragically sad things.  It is NOT like Holby City!!!

 

[sweetheart]

Theatre Technicians' course - is that like Operating Deparment Practice? Cuz that's what I am doing, Two long years but they say it's worth it in the end..

Thanks SteveD.

[kaz35]

 Sweetheart:-   I'm an ODP (anaesthetics), just qualified this year.  If i can be of any help please let me know via the site.  All i can say is stick with it, and have a goal in mind for when you finish the course - it'll keep you motivated!!  incidentlly, which area are you from??

[kaz35]

 (By the way, Steve D, I LOVE Holby City!!!) xx

[sweetheart]

I'm from Birmingham and doing my training here too. If you don't mind me asking - where did you qualify Kazzy and do you have any advice, do's and don'ts? I have not started to get my bursary for this course yet, but do you have any idea how much that will be? Or where can I find out from? What's the best and worst part of it once qualified and also whilst training? Whilst on placement, how do others treat you? Sorry to throw so much at you, it's just that I don't know any qualified ODP's yet and it's all very new to me because for some reason the course isn't so popular! Thanks again Kazzy! xx

[sweetheart]

I LOVE HOLBY TOO!!

[kaz35]

 I'm from South Wales and trained with University of Wales College of Medicine in Cardiff. I've worked in the same hospital for 14 years before doing this training, some of which time was spent in operating theatres as a circulator.  So, i had some background experience which helps.  What did you do before, or are you straight from school?  Don't know much about the bursary for your area, you need to speak to one of your lecturers about that - wasn't that discussed before you started your course?  If you can, talk to someone within your hospital who has qualified recently, they will be able to give you all sorts of advice and help about all aspects of the course.  Listen and learn from people around you, don't be afraid to ask questions when you don't understand, (people are there to help you) & don't beat yourself up when you get something wrong - work out what went wrong, why, learn from it & move on!!  Try to " attach " yourself to somebody qualified who is friendly & approachable who you will feel comfortable asking questions of and discussing any worries with, it's good to have someone who helps you keep things in perspective when things get tough,( and they do sometimes), but take it in your stride - you're no different to anyone else, and you wouldn't be on the course if you weren't up to it, believe me!!  HAVE FAITH IN YOURSELF!!  Isn't there another student on the course with you who you chat to also? You can always chat to me, i would put my e-mail address on, but isn't that grounds for getting banned from the AB website?? I may be wrong, i'll try to find out.   Anyway, keep in touch via the website for now, and ENJOY your role!!

[kaz35]

By the way, this may sound REALLY stupid, but are you male or female.  The reason i ask is because i think that ODP roles (especially anaeasthetic ones) are still very much male orientated.  Correct me if i'm wrong but the feeling that i get is that you feel a bit intimidated by everything?? I don't mean to sound un PC, but it can be difficult for a female to fit in.  It does get easier as time goes on! xx

[sweetheart]

Thanks Kazzy!! Soooo helpful!! I'm female but most of the others are male!! Why?!?! We need more female ODP's! I officially start next month, but we've had enrollment etc already, hence I don't know much! I think i'll talk to someone at uni tomorrow so I feel a little more comfortable. I have a rough idea of the bursary and how it works, but I guess I just needed reassuring it wouldn't be something like �10 for the whole month! Might be a silly question, but are you female or male?? Sorry! Is theatre uniform like Holby city uniform? If not, what's it like?! I'll try not to worry too much although I must admit I am abit nervous about my first day on placement!

[kaz35]

You'll be fine, as i said, take it in your stride!!  Just remember everyone has had to start somewhere.By the way, " i'm a LAAADDY !" (That will be wasted on you if you've never seen little Britain - I'm female)!!!  Speak soon, let me know how you get on

[sweetheart]

Cheers! Will do! xx

[kaz35]

How are you? When is your first day in your placement?  Is it tomorrow?

[sweetheart]

Hi kazzy. My first day on placement is about a month away yet, but will let you know all about it. I'm actually looking forward to it now! By the way I brought that Boots cumcumber eye gel today, you're right, it's really refreshing. No eye gel has ever given me that effect before!

[kaz35]

Easy on the pocket too!!   Lasts me ages!   :) x

[kaz35]

Have my hotmail e-mail address, we can talk then on MSN if you want.  It'll also be handy if you feel you want help with anything, i can scan stuff through to you.

[email protected]

(50 isn't my age by the way!!)   x

[kaz35]

How are things going? R u doing a block in Uni at the moment?  Keep me posted!!!  x

[kaz35]

Sweetheart - Are you o.k ?  Havn't heard anything of you on here for ages? x :)