Mumsnet Talk

Hello, as is very common on here, I'm looking to be a mature student now the dc are that little bit older.

Is anyone else gearing up to applying? Think I need a little hand holding as its been so long since I did my last degree (badly).

Has anyone done one of the above degrees? I am thinking of OT mainly due to the more family friendly hours. What's it like as a career?

Thanks for any advice you can give

I'm looking to be in your position in a few years time as can't start training till DC4 (due May) is older! My leaning is for midwifery, and I've been told I already meet the minimum academic entrance requirements despite, like you from the sounds of your post, having a poor first degree.

I'm happy to hold your hand/pick up any useful tips for use in a few years time!

And good luck to you

Thank you!

Wow! Only thing I was able to dream about when pregnant with dc3 was fitting back into size 12, that took 2 years!

Sounds like you'll be having similar childcare expenses. I worry about how flexible they'll expect me to be regarding shift patterns or nights. I mean, nurses do have children, so if they don't have gps nearby to babysit, how do they cope?

i started my nirsing degree when dd2 starte dschool, have since also done midwifing.

you will be expected to work whatever shift paterns our allocated mentor is working, and that includees early starts, late finishes and nights. understading friends and grandparents on ahand are pretty vital.

before i started my nursing althoug i had the basic academic requirements i was told it would look good on the application if youhad some evidence of recent study, so did an a level in the year before.

also looks good is any relevant volunteering or work, so hca or bf volunteer in a hostiple.

shit typing due to knacjered wrist.

Love wrist spelling of hostiple.

That's what concerns me, whilst I'd love to be a midwife, there's no point me even applying if the shift pattern demands are too great. My DH works away 3 nights a week, so if I had a night shift then, I'd be fucked.

I'm leaning towards OT now because they offer the course part time at local uni, over 4 year period.

I've applied to do volunteering with red cross and I'm doing a study skills online course from Oxford Uni to hone essay writing abilities.

Do you think that's enough, I'm reluctant to do access course or a level GCSE because it old be an extra year study and don't think I can justify 5 years...I'm getting old!

My wrist isn't knackered so I've no excuse for that!

It would be an extra year of study, Freudian use of old there.

my dh has always worked silly hours too. the DDs have spent a lot of nights at granny or grandmas overtheyeras.

dn't know about ot-ing but hopefully someone will be along who does.

I'm in my third year of a nursing degree, had a year off in the middle to have ds. He's now 16 months old and will be going to nursery from jan as I can't get any academic work done at the moment! Childcare costs can be claimed from the NHs bursary up to £150 ish per week, also there is a nurse's bursary. Not sure about OT, although the shifts seem to be 9-5 mon to fri. I did think about OT before I applied for nursing, and the application involved organising 2 visits to OT departments and writing a 500 word report about each. I did spend the day with an OT but it wasn't my cup of tea, I prefer nursing.
As Crevix said, shifts will be a mixture of days and nights but I have found that the wards are flexible and will accommodate my childcare needs.
Several matures students on my course did an access course, I would contact the uni you're interested in and find out the requirements. Hope this helps!

Hi there...OMG...it's been years since I posted...but just came across Mumsnet again and thought I have a look in this section

Anyway, I am now a 3rd year OT student. (I would have been ready now, but took a year off due to Family issues)....

It is worth asking at the Uni you are thinking of applying for...especially as part time places are often not applied for over UCAS... if you are doing a study skills course and have a previous degree, I really doubt they will ask for you to do an access course.

When I applied (I am doing Full-time) I had not studied in almost 20 years (did Nursing in my younger years, but that was Nursing school)....but all I was asked for was to do a study skills course and to shadow some OT's....and this was despite me being German and having done my Nursing in Germany...

Currently , what with essays and dissertation to hand in soon, I am having a tough time , and all of us are stressed right now, but all in all I loved this degree and if I get through it all alright, than it looks like it may have opened doors for us, I never had dreamed off... as I recently signed a contract with an Agency in the USA.

Anyway, hope all goes well for you...and sorry for rambling

FairLady!!

I have been cyber stalking your old posts <<scary emoticon>>

I did a search and your old posts came up from when you were just starting, so nice to hear it's all gone well for you and great it's lead you in ways you didn't expect.

I've handed in the application form now and will be moving my stalker habits to the postman while I wait for an interview <<hopeful>>