This discussion is now closed.
Check out other Related discussions
- Failed my first term exams uni second year
- Should I resit my A levels even though i’m in uni?
- Third year: is it better to graduate with a lower grade or to repeat the year again?
- Oxford vs Cambridge
- Please help me out im stressing real bad
- Cambridge GEM A101 medical students - applicant advice needed!
- Official: Newcastle University A100 2024 Entry Applicants
- Uni has made me so depressed- should I just drop out?
- GEM or standard MBChB?
- which science masters are the highest in demand? cardiovascular? radiology?
- Failed Med School - Options?
- A guide for getting into graduate medicine (and dealing with rejections)
- advice for dental school.
- 3rd attempt at UCAT - Should I give up ?
- Medical school exams - fail?? Stressed!
- Failing 4th year, is it over for me?
- Doubts about studying medicine
- Help me decide!!!
- Am I taking first year too seriously?
- RSM Graduate schemes
Scroll to see replies
Original post by wyann LT
so technically if you fail mrcs and mrcp 6 times you can never specialise and stay a junior doctor forever
Those are not the only specialty exams!! Paeds, O&G, anaes, ED, GP, ophthal, radiol, psych, pathology…. And more.
Realistically - if someone is in a specialty training scheme and is unable to pass that specialty’s exams within the required attempts, then as écolier has said there is usually remit to discuss a single further attempt with head of (specialty) school. Usually well before the point of having reached final attempt, there will be other support in place such as study support, meetings with supervisors to discuss issues, dyslexia assessments. I got as far as final attempt with one of my MRCPCH exams. But was having a lot of help and support by then - and was also in discussion with my Head of School who was willing to request a further attempt. Thankfully I passed attempt 6 at that paper. And the other papers took fewer attempts…
You can’t usually progress beyond a certain point in a particular specialty programme without having attained the membership exams. However - a training programme is not the only way to gain experience in a specialty. I know many people who’ve sidestepped out of training (not always because limited by exam attempts) and now doing “staff grade” roles (ie registrar level) without having completed their exams. I don’t know whether it’s possible to CESR without having for the exams. But there are lots of “non traditional” routes through medicine.
Original post by wyann LT
so technically if you fail mrcs and mrcp 6 times you can never specialise and stay a junior doctor forever
If you're thinking about failing MRCS or MRCP 6 times then I would recommend you don't sit either of them. Choose another specialty.
Original post by asif007
If you're thinking about failing MRCS or MRCP 6 times then I would recommend you don't sit either of them. Choose another specialty.
I doubt OP is planning to fail exams on purpose
Original post by wyann LT
Can I get into ST1 neurosurgery runthrough training without taking MRCS exam?
If I take MRCS part A and B am I only eligibly to apply for ST3 neurosurgery
If I take MRCS part A and B am I only eligibly to apply for ST3 neurosurgery
You'd need to check the person spec, I imagine since it's so competitive it may be necessary (either explicitly or implicitly) if it contributes portfolio points.
You may also want to read this if you are considering neurosurgery: https://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/showthread.php?t=7219090
If you go into that specialty you may NOT be able to get a consultant post, anywhere, when you finish training!
(edited 1 year ago)
sooo far the only things neuro-related I have done are:
- got a certificate from attending an (international) neurosurg conference at liverpool
- Did a RS1 research project about brain science of obesity which was part of our assessment for progression but its weird because we did not actually conduct any real research, we all just practiced writing an abstract based off a TED talk (so basically not real research and probs dont count to anything lol)
- I entered a public health competition where I did a pre-recorded presentation on 'should early dementia diagnosis be desirable' but did not win the competition lol (but took part)
- I am an academic rep at neurosoc at liverpool
- got a certificate from attending an (international) neurosurg conference at liverpool
- Did a RS1 research project about brain science of obesity which was part of our assessment for progression but its weird because we did not actually conduct any real research, we all just practiced writing an abstract based off a TED talk (so basically not real research and probs dont count to anything lol)
- I entered a public health competition where I did a pre-recorded presentation on 'should early dementia diagnosis be desirable' but did not win the competition lol (but took part)
- I am an academic rep at neurosoc at liverpool
From the conference there were people from different countries so not really; there was 1 guy from manchester but that was pretty much it; but one of my lecturers was a neurosurgeon so do I just email saying something along the line of.....'Hello I am a second year medical student who has strong interest in neurosurgery'....blah blah then 'do you have any research opportunities that I can take part in' ?
look bruh I can see that there is an issue that there is a lot of brain surgeons and very competitive. This could be a good topic to either talk at interviews or gain knowledge on but personally idc I only care about becoming a neurosurgeon no matter the odds (everything is competitive and difficult in life lol); I just want the correct guidance and help to get there thats all.
Original post by wyann LT
look bruh I can see that there is an issue that there is a lot of brain surgeons and very competitive. This could be a good topic to either talk at interviews or gain knowledge on but personally idc I only care about becoming a neurosurgeon no matter the odds (everything is competitive and difficult in life lol); I just want the correct guidance and help to get there thats all.
I really recommend you actually read the articles ecolier linked (and the thread I linked he made). It's a pretty dire situation considering how competitive it is to get a training number in the first place, not to mention less work-life balance in surgical specialties generally making the training more onerous anyway.
Essentially, the NHS made a mistake when calculating how many more neurosurgeons they would need some years ago, based on the assumption certain services would increase in demand and be performend by neurosurgeons. The service demand did increase, but the procedures were done by interventional radiologists. Now there are lots more existing trainees, and there simply aren't any consultant posts for them to fill when they finish their training - this is unlike pretty much every other specialty where the number of traineers matches (or often, falls short of) the number of consultant posts across the UK.
So you won't get to the point where you have your CCT, get a consultant post somewhere, and can finally settle down and don't have to work crazy hours and move around every 6-12 months. The current situation is that those trainees will be in that position indefinitely as they fight over the few remaining consultant posts as each retirement comes up, and will have to locum or fill trust grade posts in the meantime I presume.
Therefore you may want to consider other surgical specialties as well, where at least when you finish training you can get a consultant post SOMEWHERE most likely (albeit, maybe not in the location you want), or other related specialties (like interventional radiology which is the one picking up a lot of the procedures neurosurgeons were expected to be doing - I think there might be some scope for neurologists to also do some of them).
I wonder how many of those neurosurgical trainees will swap to GP in the coming years 
PRSOM!
I think I read somewhere that some areas GPs can just locum a day or two a week and still earn quite a lot so, add to that the golden hellos and so on and it's understandable! Having your cake and eating it too
If I could afford to just work 2 days a week and live comfortably while having time to pursue my other interests I think I'd quite likely choose that option
alas such opportunities are few and far between (outside medicine at least!) 
I think I read somewhere that some areas GPs can just locum a day or two a week and still earn quite a lot so, add to that the golden hellos and so on and it's understandable! Having your cake and eating it too
If I could afford to just work 2 days a week and live comfortably while having time to pursue my other interests I think I'd quite likely choose that option
alas such opportunities are few and far between (outside medicine at least!) (edited 1 year ago)
Related discussions
- Failed my first term exams uni second year
- Should I resit my A levels even though i’m in uni?
- Third year: is it better to graduate with a lower grade or to repeat the year again?
- Oxford vs Cambridge
- Please help me out im stressing real bad
- Cambridge GEM A101 medical students - applicant advice needed!
- Official: Newcastle University A100 2024 Entry Applicants
- Uni has made me so depressed- should I just drop out?
- GEM or standard MBChB?
- which science masters are the highest in demand? cardiovascular? radiology?
- Failed Med School - Options?
- A guide for getting into graduate medicine (and dealing with rejections)
- advice for dental school.
- 3rd attempt at UCAT - Should I give up ?
- Medical school exams - fail?? Stressed!
- Failing 4th year, is it over for me?
- Doubts about studying medicine
- Help me decide!!!
- Am I taking first year too seriously?
- RSM Graduate schemes
Latest
Trending
Last reply 4 weeks ago
opinions on laptops/tablets which will be good for med school/uni in general?Last reply 2 months ago
Going abroad after studying at a UK medicine universityLast reply 2 months ago
Unsure on medicinary/dentistry or computing science fieldLast reply 2 months ago
Unintentional 'Gap Year' After Graduating Medical SchoolTrending
Last reply 4 weeks ago
opinions on laptops/tablets which will be good for med school/uni in general?Last reply 2 months ago
Going abroad after studying at a UK medicine universityLast reply 2 months ago
Unsure on medicinary/dentistry or computing science fieldLast reply 2 months ago
Unintentional 'Gap Year' After Graduating Medical School
