SURVIVING PRE-REGISTRATION

Having finally come to the end of three years of study and examination at university, it would be reasonable to expect a well-earned opportunity to relax. However, as every optical student will appreciate, the reality is different. Whilst the term ‘pre-registration’ conjures up a picture of an administrative formality, the year ahead will form the most significant hurdle in making the transition from student to eye care professional. In this article we will separate the myths from the facts, address the most common concerns and provide practical guidance from those that have been there and survived. 

The good news is that the majority of pre-registration students successfully qualify as eye care professionals.  Less encouraging, however, are the anecdotal reports that pass between every generation of opticians that pre-registration is “the hardest year of your life”.  Leaving the scaremongering to one side, it would be wrong to present the combination of full-time work and regular assessment as anything less than challenging. This is a time when students have left the security and familiarity of university life and in many cases have re-located, leaving their network of friends and family behind them.  Whilst students are generally well-briefed on what to expect in terms of the structure and process of their pre-registration year, it is the unknown elements of the experience that can prove unsettling and understandably daunting. 

To minimise any causes for concern, set aside time to research and prepare for your pre-registration as much as possible.  As well as discussing your own individual approach to the year with your university tutors, you may find it valuable to put together a written action plan that includes milestones, learning targets, revision schedules and holiday dates; ideally you should plan to ‘sandwich’ your examinations between annual leave that allows for preparation and recuperation. With more students than ever applying for pre-registration, competition for placements can be fierce and it pays to be pro-active in your approach whilst still at university by seeking relevant optical work experience. Whether a weekend job for a couple of months or a holiday placement, it will not only help you stand out from other students but will provide a good understanding of key roles and responsibilities within a professional environment. It will also allow you to build a relationship with potential future employers.

Once a placement has been secured, then the work begins. In those all-important first days in the job, focus on the basics - establish a routine and familiarise yourself with all aspects of your professional environment, from the equipment in the consultation room to the products on the shop-floor.  Neil Retallic, a recently qualified optometrist, advises that it pays for pre-registration students not to run before they can walk.  “When beginning pre-registration, many students are eager to apply their practical skills right away and whilst it’s good to have a positive attitude, they need to avoid getting carried away. Some students have a tendency to jump in head first but this is when they land themselves in difficult situations. On the other hand, others may shy away from applying their clinical skills and from taking decisions for fear of making a mistake. It’s important that students strike the right balance, consult their supervisor and progress at the rate that is appropriate to them – we all develop at different rates”

The most important first step is to take-in the wealth of new information and listen to everybody in the practice team – each will be able to offer something that will help in your development.  Foremost will be the role played by your supervisor. It is important that students develop a good working relationship with their supervisor and feel comfortable and uninhibited around that person. Regular communication and asking questions is the key to progress.  Whilst it is natural to feel concerned that you may be asking the obvious, be reassured that both your supervisor and the practice in general is likely to be experienced in receiving pre-registration students and will appreciate any concerns and expectations you may have.  No-one is expecting the finished article and everybody in your practice will appreciate that pre-registration is mentally and physically demanding given that new experiences occur on an almost daily basis - your colleagues have all been pre-reg students at some point as well.  Remember that your supervisor not only has a responsibility but also a desire to see you do well. 

In addition to clinical skills, an appreciation of the commercial nature of the profession is critical to succeed in today’s optical environment. As Neil explains, “The pre-registration year places students in front of real patients that have paid to have their eyes examined and it’s then that you appreciate that you are an eye care professional. These are not just your mates coming in for you to practise on them, these are real members of the public paying for a service”. Although students will have undertaken business modules at university, it is essential to develop an understanding of the specific commercial policies and financial systems of each different company, in addition to a full appreciation of product ranges, in-store promotions and customer services. Whilst this education will be facilitated by the practice, responsibility also lies with the individual - an attitude that applies to every aspect of pre-registration.

“Throughout the year students will receive the full support, advice and counsel of their supervisor and practice colleagues, but the most important factor in success or failure is often the attitude of the individual” notes Jayne Schofield, an examiner for the Association of British Dispensing Opticians,. A pro-active approach to pre-registration is essential – whilst a supervisor will make every effort to recognise and address an area for improvement, the student must ultimately take the initiative. Similarly with assessments, an examiner is briefed to draw out clinical ability, but demonstrating that ability is essentially in the hands of the student.”

Preparation for examinations will be a subject that is explored in greater detail in a future article in this series, but Neil adds that a positive approach is important, “Always remember what you did right in exams, not just what you might have done wrong. My own supervisor would often remind me that it’s rare to need 100% to pass an exam – you are allowed to make a few mistakes!” 

It is a philosophy that applies to pre-registration as a whole.  Whilst few eye care professionals will dispute that the year involves a great deal of application and hard work, students should be reassured that the point of pre-registration is to expose theory to everyday practice. This will inevitably involve a steep learning curve and a few mistakes along the way, but the key is to learn from the mistakes. Whilst it may seem hard to see beyond the end of the year, remember that pre-registration is ultimately only a first step in your career as an eye care professional.

TOP TIPS

• Don’t panic. The main challenge of pre-registration is facing new situations on an everyday basis.
• Be flexible and learn to think on your feet - you will regularly need to adapt to different environments and situations
• Listen and learn from your supervisor and colleagues
• Adopt a professional approach and meet each task with a willing attitude. By leaving the right impression on your practice, you are influencing potential employers, so remember to start the year as you intend to go on.
• Be proactive – ensure that you address any weaknesses from the outset
• Students are not alone in their pre-registration year – your supervisor is there to help you. Don’t be afraid to ask.