Retraining as a nurse/paramedic - where to begin?

[naturalbaby]

I've been out of work for 9 years as a sham, I now have 3 kids in school. I would like to retrain as a nurse or a paramedic. I have no maths or science a levels and no money saved up for courses. I need work experience and to start earning but am not sure where to begin.

I am considering care assistant work through an agency and volunteer work with the Red Cross or St. Johns ambulance. Is there anything else I can do temporarily and part time?

Has anyone been in a similar situation and can offer any advice? I want to start a course next September - is that a reasonable expectation? I'm really nervous as I've tried a few changes of career before, been very dependent on DH and now need to make a commitment and make this happen.

[titchy]

Access course at your local FE college coupled with relevant work experience, either paid or voluntary.

Three years at university. Check entry requirements for nearby ones (assuming you can't move).

Also full clean driving licence needed for paramedic.

[titchy]

Example here:

http://www.anglia.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/paramedic-science

[Crumbs1]

Speak to local NHS trusts re hca posts - if it suits you, it can lead to funded training.

[naturalbaby]

I was thinking about an access course. Am looking for voluntary work but being paid would be a bonus!
I was considering changing posts but having trouble finding them locally - lots of 'assistant' type roles. There was a funded training course that recently closed so I'm hoping that will be available next year.

[naturalbaby]

considering hca posts that should be

[Crumbs1]

Might be easier to get funding once in work. Join HCA bank to start with maybe?

[squirreling]

Hubby is a paramedic. He started with the nhs as a band 3 technician, worked up to band 4 then they paid him through a foundation degree to become a paramedic. He said it would be difficult to get work experience because of needing dbs.... but there are often jobs for nhs and private companies advertised on indeed and nhs website. I think it's not a particularly family friendly job- shift work, nights and on 2 out of 3 of the shifts last week he was off2 hours late- once because his truck broke down 😂. So you need understanding suport network.

[mouldycheesefan]

A mum at school has just qualified as an ambulance driver. It's not a paramedic but it's a foot in the door and was a couple of months training rather than years.. The shifts are antisocial, evenings, weekends, Xmas etc but I assume that isn't an issue if you are looking at medical roles.

[naturalbaby]

There's a patient transport job advertised in my county so I was thinking that would be a good start. I'm not great at shifts, especially night shifts but am hoping it would work out with DH working regular hours and managing child care.