The Student Room Group

Does it matter what rotations you pick for fy1/2?

Was wondering is it too much of a problem if i get a rotation that doesnt include A/E in it? is it going to affect my applications in the future for whatever speciality ?

and affect my chances of ever getting locum shifts in a/e?

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thanks so much,
how about for GP applications?(havent decided yet if im applying for which speciality)

and is there anything ELSE i need to keep in mind when choosing jobs eg i must ensure 1 surgery rotation 1 medicine etc ?
(edited 4 years ago)
ohh okay thank u so much :biggrin:, so basically, if i want to ever locum in a/e in fy3 etc that i will def to have a specialty FY job in A/E then? ie no way around it?like an A/E elective or something?
wow okay thats so informative, wouldnt have never known! one last question, apart from A/E is there any other departments that is easy to locum in ?(in case i take a FY3 in the future)
Original post by medicalstuff
...so basically, if i want to ever locum in a/e in fy3 etc that i will def to have a specialty FY job in A/E then? ie no way around it?

There are lots of A&Es that will accept you without A&E experience. Some do, some don't. Do a quick google.
Original post by medicalstuff
ohh okay thank u so much :biggrin:, so basically, if i want to ever locum in a/e in fy3 etc that i will def to have a specialty FY job in A/E then? ie no way around it?like an A/E elective or something?


A&E is a really useful job - take an FY3 and do a six month trust SHO job. It's hard work but you'll learn loads and then you can locum confidently afterwards without any worries.
Original post by nexttime
There are lots of A&Es that will accept you without A&E experience. Some do, some don't. Do a quick google.

thanks for ur reply!really??so its not unheard of getting a locum a/e shift if you didnt do it in FY....i had a look on google but most of them are saying "experienced required" but nothing specific!
(edited 4 years ago)
Original post by Democracy
A&E is a really useful job - take an FY3 and do a six month trust SHO job. It's hard work but you'll learn loads and then you can locum confidently afterwards without any worries.

hey thanks for ur reply!! So do you mean six month SHO job based in A/E ?

I know not all FY 1/2 jobs have A/E as a specialty. Obviously the ideal scenario would be to have a A/E 4 month job during my foundation years, but i mean if this doesnt happen, will this be the end of me thinking i will locum in a/e in the future(eg FY3)?
(edited 4 years ago)
Original post by medicalstuff
hey thanks for ur reply!! So do you mean six month SHO job based in A/E ?

I know not all FY 1/2 jobs have A/E as a specialty. Obviously the ideal scenario would be to have a A/E 4 month job during my foundation years, but i mean if this doesnt happen, will this be the end of me thinking i will locum in a/e in the future(eg FY3)?

Yes, that's what I mean. You don't necessarily need to have done A&E during FY1/2 in order to be able to apply for trust jobs. I think that's probably a better introduction to A&E rather than trying to learn the job via random locums, which sounds a bit stressful in all honesty (although I'm sure it's perfectly doable, as the others have said).

Once you've done a proper job you'll have a decent amount of experience under your belt which will make doing locums a bit easier. That's how I'd do it anyway.
Original post by medicalstuff
.i had a look on google but most of them are saying "experienced required" but nothing specific!

Really? I googled and followed the top link (Indeed) and 2 of the top 3 jobs on there only specific right to work in the UK and GMC registration. The third requires "NHS experience" - very deliberately not specifying A&E experience.

Additionally, the two hospitals I did my FY2 in did not require A&E experience. I had none and they were sending multiple emails daily with A&E locum shifts.

Even if they were advertising a place as A&E experience only, I bet they would make an exception if you had worked in that hospital before - they really like that because then they can tell you aren't going to be a complete idiot.
Original post by medicalstuff
thanks for ur reply!really??so its not unheard of getting a locum a/e shift if you didnt do it in FY....i had a look on google but most of them are saying "experienced required" but nothing specific!

There will possibly/probably be a degree of flexibility. A&E recruitment is not great (to put it mildly) and if you have NHS and Foundation Programme experience that will already put you ahead of many of the other candidates. You've presumably done other acute jobs e.g. acute medicine, T&O, ICM? Just talk about the transferable skills you've gained in those jobs and you'll be alright.
Why A&E locums specifically? Tbh I think there are enough people wanting to avoid A&E (though I think it's hugely valuable) that if you rank enough programmes including it, you're likely to get one. And if not, there are staff grade jobs or you may be able to.locum in trusts you've already worked in - this is easier than general agency locums as at least you're familiar with the site/systems even if the specialty is new.
Original post by Democracy
Yes, that's what I mean. You don't necessarily need to have done A&E during FY1/2 in order to be able to apply for trust jobs. I think that's probably a better introduction to A&E rather than trying to learn the job via random locums, which sounds a bit stressful in all honesty (although I'm sure it's perfectly doable, as the others have said).

Once you've done a proper job you'll have a decent amount of experience under your belt which will make doing locums a bit easier. That's how I'd do it anyway.

that sounds really reasonable and reassuring!thank u !!!
Original post by nexttime
Really? I googled and followed the top link (Indeed) and 2 of the top 3 jobs on there only specific right to work in the UK and GMC registration. The third requires "NHS experience" - very deliberately not specifying A&E experience.

Additionally, the two hospitals I did my FY2 in did not require A&E experience. I had none and they were sending multiple emails daily with A&E locum shifts.

Even if they were advertising a place as A&E experience only, I bet they would make an exception if you had worked in that hospital before - they really like that because then they can tell you aren't going to be a complete idiot.

thats actually true, i dont know why i assumed experience required meant a/e experience specifically!thank u so much
Original post by Helenia
Why A&E locums specifically? Tbh I think there are enough people wanting to avoid A&E (though I think it's hugely valuable) that if you rank enough programmes including it, you're likely to get one. And if not, there are staff grade jobs or you may be able to.locum in trusts you've already worked in - this is easier than general agency locums as at least you're familiar with the site/systems even if the specialty is new.

Hey Helenia, thanks for ur reply! I just assumed A/E locum is the most popular one! so is it common for people to find locum jobs in other specialties?
Original post by medicalstuff
Hey Helenia, thanks for ur reply! I just assumed A/E locum is the most popular one! so is it common for people to find locum jobs in other specialties?


Well, it depends on location and experience but yes, there are usually locum shifts available in things like gen med/gen surg as well as the specialties. From the rotations you've mentioned, I'd expect both Resp and Rheum to be on a gen med on call rota so you'll probably get acute experience in those.
Original post by medicalstuff
Basically long story short.. i havent done any jobs yet, im a UK applicant applying through oriel this week for FY training and theres a new programme called priority foundation training 2020 where you can apply directly to the job for SOME, i found a job where the location is perfect and i love the specialities as well except it doesnt have any a/e or acute jobs... its my dream location hospital and the specialities are Respiratory Medicine, Obstetrics and gynaecology, Cardiology, Rheumatology, Paediatrics,General Practice...so no AAU/A/E

so i was worried if i choose this as my "priority" im going to regret this decision and it would put me at a disadvantage in my career in the future..and may close some doors for me eg. doing locum etc

What do you mean 'no acute jobs' lol. All of those except GP will probably involve seeing admissions in A&E, and 2-3 will be on the medicine on call rota.

I also agree - unsure why you are focused on doing A&E locums. They are the most available, but far from the only available. Acute med in particular will have enough to keep you busy for sure.

If this is your dream job, just go for it.
Hi, I'm currently a 5th year medical student, preparing for foundation years. I would like to go into specialist training for general practice after FY. Do you think it would be favourable to have an FY2 programme including A&E and paediatrics? I've heard people say that obstetrics and gynaecology is a good rotation to have too. I know with GP recruitment at an all time low, and employers may take you on anyways, but generally what would you say was the most advantageous FY2 programme to have for future GPs.

Thank you! :smile:
Thanks for your advice! I'll take that on board. :smile:

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