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Good qualification as preparation for Nursing application?

30 replies

Cabrinha · 01/07/2016 19:32

I have often thought about retraining and studying Nursing, and I now know that my team will be restructured in 2 years time, likely leading to a location that I can't work in. This might be a good opportunity for me, a natural end to one job and possibly some redundancy payment.

Any other mature applicant reading this... (or nurses!)

What part time theory only qualification would you recommend? My reasons are as follows:

  • check I'm really interested!
  • help my application through my knowledge
  • show that I have commitment and genuine interest to the career, not just a whim on being made redundant!


I have a BSc degree in Psychology (20 years ago!)

I am thinking the first modules from OU in Health Science, or a Biology A Level...

Any ideas? Thank you!
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AtiaoftheJulii · 01/07/2016 21:15

I did the OU Human Biology module, SK277. It's a level 2 module, but if you've already got a degree (mine was also a long time ago!) it won't be too difficult. I really enjoyed it Smile

Fees have gone up though - when I did it, it was about the same price as doing Biology A level, but you might be able to do the A level now cheaply.

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Cabrinha · 01/07/2016 21:46

Thanks for the suggestion - I'll look into it!

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foxy6 · 01/07/2016 21:52

I'm currently doing a foundation degree at uni. It's 1 day a week study so it fits around my job early.

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ggirl · 01/07/2016 21:54

Both you suggested would be good.
Also anything pertaining to public health promotion, ageing , communication .

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Cabrinha · 01/07/2016 21:54

Thanks foxy - what foundation degree are you doing?

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Cabrinha · 01/07/2016 21:56

Thanks ggirl

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foxy6 · 01/07/2016 21:56

The one I'm doing is called community health and wellbeing.

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Imnotaslimjim · 01/07/2016 21:58

I've just completed an Access to Higher Ed in Health course and going to Uni in March to do a nursing degree. For me that was the only route available as I don't have A levels, never mind a degree.

TBH you'd be better contacting the Uni you wish to attend and asking what you'd need on top of what you already have. They're really helpful.

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giggly · 01/07/2016 22:01

As a mature student other will help your application if you have some practical experience. Volunteering or some care work depending g on what stream of nursing your looking at. Wouldn't have to be a lot maybe 1_2 shifts a month built up over 2 years will give you lots of hands on experience much more productive in skills building than an extra course or 2. We have students almost weekly from all streams and there is a huge difference in their ability if they have had some patients contact. I've got one this now who is all brains and no substance. So in theory will make a great NHS manager but a rubbish nurse Wink

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mrssmith79 · 01/07/2016 22:08

I did OU module K100 and a NCFE certificate in Equality and Diversity. Those, with my requisite GCSEs were enough.

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Cabrinha · 01/07/2016 22:25

That made me laugh! Grin
Volunteering is tricky. I work in a job that has me out of the country 6 days in 14... and when I'm back I have my child. So I really don't have time for that now - though it's excellent advice, thank you.
Study is something that I can at least fit in with being sat at the airport twice a fortnight!
I'm less worried about good academic preparation because a nursing degree would give me that and more thinking about enhancing my chances of application success by showing the commitment.

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titchy · 02/07/2016 13:50

If you're serious volunteering is vital, not a nice extra. More important than the academics given that you have a degree tbh. You need to find some way of doing something.

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Imnotaslimjim · 02/07/2016 14:23

Titchy is right, part of the UCAS application is a personal statement showing how you have gained experience in a relevant field. Nursing is extremely competitive, not having hands on experience will mean you won't stand a chance. 3 ladies in my Access class didn't get an offer. It doesnt have to volunteering, work in a relevant area counts. I didn't have any volunteering but I had 7 years experience in care work

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Cabrinha · 02/07/2016 14:50

I am serious, but I absolutely cannot do volunteer work at the moment. I'm not in the UK 6 days out of 14, and I'm a single parent so the 8 days that I am here I am with my child.

I take on board your comments though, and it's useful to hear that it's essential not a nice to have.

My plan was that when/if I get made redundant, I start volunteering then - or work in a health related position at a much lower level (as I'm not qualified). Either of those could be full time. If redundancy happened at exactly the deadline for degree application, I'd take a punt but accept I would more than likely not get in and then use the next application cycle to get the experience.

The main purpose of study is to demonstrate some longer term intention of the career change so that I don't look like it's just a whim!

For those of you in the field, do you think the removal of the NHS bursary will make nursing places less competitive, or do you think that the number of places will fall also keeping the applicant:place ratio just as competitive?

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titchy · 02/07/2016 15:01

I think neither to be honest. There are no moves to change the number of places, and nothing to indicate demand will fall when the bursary is removed.

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Imnotaslimjim · 02/07/2016 16:22

I don't think competition will change tbh. As of next year the UCAS tariff is set to change too so that will alter things though I don't entirely understand that side of it, I didn't need to with getting in this year.

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PreAdvent13610 · 02/07/2016 16:27

Mature students should always contact the uni and ask. You are not 18 you are an adult with wide and varied experience. Go along to an open day and ask away, get an e-mail address and ask some more.

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Cabrinha · 02/07/2016 16:33

slimjim pleased for you that you got in before the bursary changes Smile

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Imnotaslimjim · 02/07/2016 16:38

Thank you, I'm chuffed to bits! I was astonished TBH as I'd already been rejected from 3 other Uni's and thought I'd messed up the interview. But I start in March and can't wait!

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Cabrinha · 02/07/2016 16:41

Ah that's brilliant! I'll keep a mental note of your name and keep an eye out for you Grin
You will be a Slim Jim once you're running around wards all day Grin

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Imnotaslimjim · 02/07/2016 17:40

Aw thank you, you're very sweet. And I'm hoping so! I've got 8 months and 10 stone to lose. I know I won't get it all off but I can make a damn good go

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Sofabitch · 03/07/2016 20:57

I vollunteered on a cancer ward when applying to study nursing.

It was critically important... because it showed me there was no way on this earth i would enjoy the reality of nursing. So i applied for a totally different medical degree

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JeepersMcoy · 12/07/2016 16:35

Hi, I am in a similar position to you. A few months ago I gave a uni a call about what they recommend and the person I spoke to recommended the human biology OU course mentioned above and said that if volunteering regularly was hard due to working than see if I can shadow or just speak to some people in the profession. She said this was quite common and a lot of places were happy for people to contact them about shadowing. I figured I could take leave for this so not so much of a problem with work.

Now my main issue is wondering how you fit studying full time nursing with having a small child and how I can afford to live on the student loan!

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ElspethFlashman · 12/07/2016 16:42

Well I'm in Ireland not the UK but I do recall that a lot of people were denied a place cos they had no experience in voluntary work. The course had only a certain % for mature students so only the ones who really had some experience got in.

I had been a carer for a relative and that's what got me in. Other people had done St Johns ambulance and things like that but even social/community volunteering was considered I.e. youth work etc.

Anything that showed commitment and compassion basically.

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JeepersMcoy · 12/07/2016 18:14

That's interesting about caring for a relative Elspeth. My mother died of cancer just over a year ago and I spent a lot of time with her and helping care for her (my father was her main carer). I have also volunteered with Samaritans in the past (had to stop due to time constraints). I did St Johns in my youth, but probably too long ago now to count.

For some reason I hadn't thought of that time with my mum in this context. I guess it was just something I did without thinking, but it is one of the things that has influenced my thoughts to change of career. I was so inspired by all the people who supported and treated her while she was ill.

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