NHS Training

DATE Monday 13th June 2011 - Monday 27th June 2011

TIME 10am - 4pm daily

LOCATION Charing Cross Hospital

So I applied for something that suggested that we would get a job after the training with the  NHS in admin in one of their departments providing we passed the training. Now, the case was actually, do the course, you then have to register externally with Brook Street which then they will help you apply for jobs within the NHS but nothing is certain. It was a waste of life but I am glad I didn't quit!

Registration

Just come back from the pre employment registration. I was feeling really wary about it, especially at the start as it wasn't what I had expected it to be. Everyone was so much older than me, expect maybe a few. I wasn't feeling 100% great about it and starting doubting. The registration was supposed to be 1 hour but we finished about 12.10. After, having some time to think, even though I really would want to quit I know that, that would be a mistake. When I was with blue Peter, I hated the first two days but then fell in love with it. So I won't quit before I've given it a chance. The other people seem friendly and I'm just hoping this will lead me to where I hope to be and not a deadline or a waste of time. Hmph... And it's only 2 weeks, well 11 days. I'll have to survive. Somehow.

Day 1


Today was my first day at my pre-employment training session. I was a little dreading it as it wasn't what I had in mind from the application I completed. The Job description was so misleading and I didn't like that aspect. Nevertheless, I decided to give it a go. I got there in good time. However, I took the wrong turning and got super lost. I ended up rushing and when I finally found my way, I realised the whole class was already in there! But according to my phone, I was just in time. 10.00am. So, we started the day with a brief introductory session by playing a 'game' by asking questions with each other and to shout 'bingo' once you got all the and answers. The game itself was so flawed but it sounded fun, so off we went. After that we went through out booklets - the welcome section. It was just outlining information about what was to come. It didn't sound too bad but neither did it sound exciting. It felt like I was back at school but difference was I didn't really want to be here. We learnt about the history of the NHS and the structure and I participated, and it was actually quite interesting. Just before lunch I told Lynda I had to go to an interview in Tuesday. Initially, she didn't seem too pleased as it was late noticed but as I explained that I only found out recently she said it was ok and not to worry. I'm not sure whether she meant it 100%. But as I wasn't even enjoying the course I couldn't care less at this point. I bought a sandwich from Sainsbury’s and took it back to the room to eat. It was alright. In the afternoon we had someone from the ICHIS information computer hospital information system, explaining about the program. She explained about data protection which made me realise now how important it was back at Blue Peter. As the day drew to an end, I headed to the station. And two other people walked with me, one explained how she felt the information was misleading and that she thought about quitting twice. So it made me think. On my way home I really wanted to quit. My younger sister said she would quit which made me feel like I should. My phones random yes or no said I should and even when I flipped a coin. I was quite certain I didn't want to do it. When my older sister returned, I explained my predicament. She said to stick it out because I already started and it's not even that long. My friends also said stick it out which then completely switched my mind frame. I decided to stick it out. I have an interview tomorrow so I can't go in but on Wednesday I will go in like my life depends on it! I'm going to stay positive. 

Day 4

We had to presentations today and I wasn't nervous much because the lady said it wasn't about the content neither was we going to get marked for it and that it was purely for practice and using our voice. However, as the majority of the class was nervous about it, it made me feel like I should have been too. When I was called up to do the presentation, I felt a little nervous but as I got started it was fine. What I found most surprising was that the louder people in the class had frozen during parts of their presentations! I was shocked, how can that be! Anyway, afterwards the lady had told me, something that no one else has ever told me and it made my day. She said, “I love your voice, I could listen to it every day”. So, it really made me laugh and I ended the day on a high.

Day 10

The last day of the Pre-Employment. Even though I wanted to quit day 1, I have to admit, I am so glad I stuck it out. I made some really good friends and one person in particular who I actually got on really well with. During the first week, I spoke to people but there was no rapport, it was more of a friendly gesture, small talk that kind of thing. But at the second week, I managed to open up and I became comfortable with quite a few people, to the point we would make fun of each other and just being comfortable with them and not needing to think up a conversation. I really enjoyed meeting new people and sharing our stories. The course itself has been a load of ****. I hated learning about common sense most of the time. There has been some (very few) times where the topic was actually interesting, but apart from those few topics, the rest has been a bore. Even though, I won’t know how well or not I’ve done until Monday (Day 11). I can say that if nothing comes out of this (job wise) I did have fun and it was a good break from my depressed routine. I learnt a lot about myself and learnt a lot about what kind of career I do wish to pursue, so hopefully I will take a lot from doing this training. I am thankful for the opportunity and so glad I stuck it out. I don’t think I would have, if it wasn’t for my best friends and my sisters. Thank you. I have been so much happier.

Where the training was held