Nurse

[mumof22004]

I want to be a nurse.
I'm not academic at all. I didn't get any GCSE's grade C or above so do I have a chance?
I currently work as a community support team leader and absolutely love it!
Im 39

[NoodleNuts]

All nursing courses are degree courses these days and most will need 2 or 3 A-Levels to get on the course, with around 5 GCSE's at C or above.

[SauvignonBlanche]

An Access to Health Course may be helpful, see here.

[JenniferYellowHat1980]

I want to too, but I'm not prepared to train for four years with minimal financial reward.

[5BlueHydrangea]

If you currently love your role, why leave it??
The training and job can be very hard and you are not always appreciated!
What sort of nursing interests you?

[QforCucumber]

You'll need to do an access course which Is basically adult learning to get you onto the nursing degree. Most colleges offer these now but not too such of the entry criteria other than being over 24 and not studied for a number of years.

[CountryLovingGirl]

I wouldn't bother. There will be no training bursary from 2017 and most nurses will be kept at band 5. Rubbish hours and very stressful for a lot. Stay in your present job.

[mumof22004]

Thought I could perhaps offer more! Love the care and making a difference.

[Silverpinkswirls]

You have to have maths, English and science GCSEs to get onto a nursing degree otherwise you will have to do an access course.

[whatdoIget]

I had to have GCSEs in maths and English, and I think now you also have to have some kind of science GCSE too. I had to have these as well as doing an access course. Obvs if you have A Levels you wouldn't need the access but GCSEs still required.

[Lj8893]

An access course is the best entry route for you. They are designed for those over 19 who don't have the correct entry requirements for a degree. However, you will still need GCSE maths, English and possibly science C or above. Some colleges will let you do these alongside the access course, but most will require you to do them first.

So potentially you are looking at 1 year for GCSEs, then another year for access course. And then 3 years nursing degree if your successful in Gaining a place on the degree.

From sept 2017 there will be no NHS funding for the degree, you will need to get a student loan to cover your fees (in the region of £9000 a year) and your living costs (what you are awarded is based on your needs and family income but will certainly be lower than what you are paid now). You would struggle to work alongside a nursing degree.

The access course you can get a 24+ learning loan, providing you are over 24. This doesn't need to be paid back providing you complete a degree afterwards. There isn't any funding for living costs at this stage, however many access courses are 1/2 days a week so you could work alongside them.

I'm not sure about the costs/funding for GCSEs.