Dear Connie,
   Just remember we were all in your shoes at one time!  Ask lots of questions and read all the books you can find.  When I started doing baby steps in histology we processed our tissues in a vacuum flask and embedded from a Bunsen burner.  When I transferred to the main Histopathology Lab at the University of Texas they had all that strange equipment to learn.  I kept looking for their Bunsen burner...It was sink or swim time, and my lunchtime companion was The Theory and Practice of Histotechnology by Sheehan & Hrapchak.  My first set of slides of armadillo ears with the Fite's stain were promptly thrown in the garbage by my supervisor... back to the microtome.   Just be more specific in your questions on the Histonet, you will get more replies.
Good Luck,  Sarah

Sarah Christo, HT (ASCP)
Texas A&M University
College of Veterinary Medicine
Dept. of Vet. Anatomy & Public Health
College Station, TX  77868-4458
schristo@cvm.tamu.edu

>>> TC-Doug Shapiro <dougs@tcinc.net> 04/29 11:00 AM >>>
Hi Histonetters!
I have been reading along for about a month now.  I am just getting started in histology.  At this point in time a lot of the questions asked are a little above me but I am learning so much.  Next month I am visiting a hospital 30 miles away for two weeks to get some intensive training.  If you could just pause for one minute and think back to when you first started, was there anything that come to mind that you know now that you wish you knew back then?  Any tips, ideas, thoughts....  I am somewhat nervous.  I am working with a fellow histonetter who is very good and don't want to seem too clumsy.  Sorry this is so basic but some one said that the only stupid questions are the ones not asked.  Thanks so much for your time.  Connie!~