What job can I do?

[smurfgirl]

I am 24.

I have an English degree that I got in 2005, started nursing degree in 2005 its looking increasingly likely that I will be unable to complete because I failed my final placement

I worked as a care assistant and an au-pair throughout uni.

I feel totally lost. I have no confidence in myself and have not worked for a year now.

I am reasonable intelligent and have ok references. No typing qualifications or anything but GCSEs, A'Levels etc.

Ideas? My heart is breaking because all I want to do is nurse

[mumblecrumble]

May I ask the obvious question then?

How did you fail? I really mean can you re do it?

[curlygal]

Are you sure you won;t be able to complete your nursing degree? If that is waht your heart is set on I would pursue that as hard as you can. Can you talk to a course tutor or anyone to explain your worries?

If the worst came to the worst and you had to find another job, what is it about nursing that you like so much? Conentrate on that and you will come up with other jobs with that element.

Would you work in a nursery? With an English degree and nursing training you'd be great.

[smurfgirl]

Its a very long saga which is why I have been out of work for a year because I have been tyring to sort it but it seems unlikely I will be allowed to complete So I need something else. But no idea what

[southeastastra]

paramedic?

[smurfgirl]

I don't think so, I am terrified of dogs (and most animals actually) so going to people's houses would be difficult for me. I think because I failed nursing it would be a no anyway.

[mumblecrumble]

child care? social care? Teaching assistant?

SOunds liek you want to look after people!

[uptomyeyes]

PGCE into teaching.
Social work - 2 years for a DipSW I think.
Special needs housing support - mental health, substance use, elderly,learning difficulties etc.

[smurfgirl]

TA jobs are like gold dust here.

I am so reluctant to go back to uni for another x amount of years which sounds lazy but I am so upset and angry at wasting three (now four) years of my life.

I suppose nothing will be right because I want nursing so much.

Housing support worker sounds interesting.

I suppose I want something that can use my health knowledge and my (vaguely) decent writing and literacy skills.

[uptomyeyes]

Look towards the voluntary sector. I'm a Director for a special needs housing association. We support Substance users, homeless adults, adults with complex needs etc in supported housing. We have health workers who act as complex case managers for exceptionally vulnerable people.

Using your writing skills - bid writing, fundraising. Most of my work now is writing proposals for new business and to seek major fundraising contributions from rich trusts

[smurfgirl]

But would you consider someone who failed a nursing degree? Thats my huge worry that people will see I was chucked off my nursing course and then not want to employ me.

[fluffles]

my mum had a very fulfilling career in caring for old people, beginning as an auxilliary nurse but ending up managing a care home through a part-time certificate in social care.

worth a thought?

[uptomyeyes]

Would you pass a CRB check?

Are any of your referees going to say that you mistreated vulnerable people ?- I'm presuming they aren't

We employ people who are literate, caring and client centred - if you failed some exams or placements and can explain why that was, there is absolutely no reason why you wouldn't be snapped up. There are no minimum qualifications.

Wednesday Guarduian for jobs or increasingly organisations are advertising on their websites.

[TrillianAstra]

Continue with the care assistant stuff, get your NVQs, learn to train/assess people for their NVQs, work up to supervising and maybe being manager of a care home etc?

[smurfgirl]

I have worked in a care home but recently went back to it and found it soul destroying and the care standards were so low. I felt wrong working there because the standards were so so so low tbh.

I have good references and a clear CRB.

[smurfgirl]

My course will give me an NVQ 4 equivilant even with the failure. I have NVQ 2 care as well.

[LoveBeingAMummy]

Is there no way you could re-take the year you've failed? Have you spoken to anyone about it? Cause until you do don't give up you obviously really want this.