Trainees' Forum archive for 2026
Opening doors to difficult conversations: Communication tips from urology Clinical Nurse Specialists
Effective communication lies at the heart of specialist urological cancer care. For clinical nurse specialists and urology nurses, conversations often extend far beyond diagnosis and treatment, encompassing some of the most sensitive and life-changing discussions patients may ever face. Whether...
Becoming a consultant: Navigating the next step in your career
For senior urology trainees approaching their final ARCP, one question often looms large: what next? Some pursue a fellowship, while others may take some time out. Ultimately, however, all trainees face the inevitable transition: stepping into a consultant post. This...
Things I wish I knew before starting on-call as an CST in urology
When I started my first core surgical trainee (CST) job in urology, I had no prior exposure or experience. Quickly I realised the significant step up and responsibility involved. Covering multiple sites overnight is something that requires organisation and awareness...
Burnout – a personal story
My name is Michael, and I am a urology ST5 registrar based in the West Midlands. Growing up in a Far East Asian household, I watched my father, a gynaecologist, and my mother, a parasitologist, devote countless hours to their...

