The College of Optometrists

I have really not enjoyed a single minute of my pre-reg. I enjoy the work itself but dislike my supervisor, who right from the start has been v unapproachable, treated me like Im a qualified optom from the start, and didnt have a college assesor. I started my pre reg in aug is there any way of leaving one month early, after my last exams?

my pre-reg is actually quite opposite. My supervisor has tried molding me into doin things her way when i disagree with her. i dont find this as being guidence at all. jus grind your teeth, bare with it i guess

you need to complete 12 months as a trainee in order to register. if you manage to find another job, fill in the change of supervisor form. i'm sure your would be supervisor won't mind paying you pre-reg wages for that remaining month, especially because you will have passed all your exams at first attempt unlike many of us.

My advice would be to grit your teeth and suffer through another month.

The chances of finding another supervisor are fairly slim. Most optoms who want to supervise will all ready have students lined up. I sympathise with the fact that you have a poor supervisor but you just have to get through it and just think how much more enjoyable future days at work will be.

Any one know any supervisors willing to take on?

When I read your message I thought I could have written it too! It sounds just like mine - I get very little time to spend with a patient, even if I have discovered something interesting and worth investigating further. My supervisor isn't so great either!

I've decided to stay until the end of my contract (end of July), then find somewhere else if I have resits. I've heard that some multiples may have supervisors willing to take people on late. Maybe try calling their head offices?

I hope you get it sorted - the end is in sight now, so look forward to that.

I'm exactly in the same boat as you. Did my half pre-reg down south and left that place, as my supervisior wasnt very helpful. Joined a new practice half way thru up north and exactly the same is happening. I like the work itself, but the supervisor and even some of the store staff aren't helpful. I'm pushed to do 15 st per day, hardly get much lunch or even a break, make me stay there till 6pm and have to also do shop floor duties if u've no test waiting, a night mare. Just grin and bare it for the last few months and if u've past ur practicals..leave and even if u've to re-take the theory exams u can do revision for them at home without working if you dont find another place. We cant do much, get treated like dogs....with no respect. as long as u've done your 12 months min training.

From the other end.. I took on a pre-reg, whose supervisor had bailed out. poor lad had done first set of pqe, but still had to do next lot. He had no idea of the work involved, and sadly didn't do himself justice. He was a lovely, caring person, and has eventually qualified. It can be difficult from both ends, try to stick with it, and when you qualify be self employeed for a bit, and do some independent work. This will give you the courage of your own convictions and you will be able to do aprofessional job. But don't expect too much of yourself or your employers. they have the rent to pay, as well as your salary. Do the sums yourself for a reality check. Rent, Reception salary, your salary, and equipment maitainance. See how that comes out. Good luck

I sympathise with your situations pt, nkrai, zinnia.

Pre-registration year has not been easy going now or in the past. I think its fair to say most pre-regges have some concerns during some part of the pre-reg year. Having read your posting it brings back memories of my pre-reg days, some were unpleasant so lets leave it at that.

Realistically I feel its probably too late in the day to move on. You only have several more months to work in your practice. Therefore simply live it out there. Maybe you can raise your concerns with your supervisor or other member of staff that you have good relationship with. Alternatively you can contact your college pre-reg mentor and seek their advice. In the meantime try your utmost to prepare weell for exams. And finally think about it logically you ONLY several more months of the hard work. After that the game changes and life should feel more relaxed and comforting.

Keep soldiering on. Talking helps so either vent your worries here or talk to your family/friends.

I hope this was useful.

my supervisor is the director so no one can say nething to him, he has very poor communication skills its either his way or no way. We werent even allowed to do contact lenses until the last month as it wastes his his business, and hes gets the other optoms working there to look at our case records and queries, he has no involvement at all.

same here Pt, i've just started contact lenses now...one month b4 my exams....it's not good enough...exactly the same reason as u, cos it wastes business... case record wise he helped me in the last minute, which i guess is okay, but still not good....i feel like a robot doing 15 tests/day...same old rountine...no contac lenses..only the occasional two per week if im lucky.

I actually did my pre-prof work at Ramathibodi Hospital Rama 4 Road in Bangkok. Wow - it was hot!! We had to work hard and also present interesting cases to the opical club as part of our continious assessment. I hated it - to many big bosses and too much patients! Some interesting cases. Not good , not bad experience, learned to think on my feet. Some of the doctors were very kind and helped - but with the continious assessment and all the essays to write and cases to prepare was like back at school. Icould not believe it whe nI went into private pactice - so cool (air) and so quiet. peace

As a supervisor I thought the maximum number of tests a pre-reg could do was 8.How can the college let your 'supervisors'get away with this?

My pre-reg gets the views of my optom colleagues,cl optician and DO so hopefully she will not be a clone of anyone but have a varied view of optometry.

I'm sorry nkrai if you feel you're beneath working on the shopfloor but that what it's about if you want to be happy in your job-working in a team .

Even I answer the phone sometimes !

If you want to spend the rest of your working life glued to your chair in your room I think you're going to be very lonely.

I make it clear to my pre-regs (I'm on my 4th) that they help out where ever possible even making the tea. Three out of the four haven't objected . The one who did was obviously spoilt rotten at home and thought the same should be down at work!

Going back to your posting,I would grin and bare it and get your exams out of the way .

Dear PT

I am sorry you have had a bad pre-reg year. You must complete 12 months of supervised pre-registration training to register with the GOC. You can complete this with different supervisors as long as the relevant registration forms are received when you change supervisor.

If you would like to contact me regarding your pre-reg year problems please do so.

With regard to the reply regarding pre-prof experience at Bangkok Hospital. I am not sure exactly what this person is talking about but all supervised pre-reg training must be completed within the UK.