Nursing, physio or apprenticeship?

[Junepassing]

Hi, I'm looking for some advice. I'm just over two thirds of the way through an access to HE diploma and I need to decide what to do next. I originally really wanted to apply for physio 2022, but I've had a difficult year with some illness and have found juggling work, responsibilities at home and doing this diploma quite difficult. I'm thinking of having a year off and possibly applying for 2023, but at the same time I'm 31 now and if I'm going to do a degree, I think I should maybe just get on with it.

I work as a band 3 HCA in primary care at the moment and I've also been enjoying the nursing side of things more lately. I'm starting to wonder if I'd be better suited to nursing, but there are so many things about nursing I'm not keen on, unsocial hours, ward work, bodily fluids etc. To complicate things further, my team leader recently hinted about me doing a nursing apprenticeship through work. I'd be quite interested in doing this as I quite enjoy my current job and workplace. I've noticed that the deadline to apply has expired though and I'm not sure when the next one will be open. Also there is no guarantee work will let me do it.

I'm completely stuck as to what to do. Any insight or advice gratefully received!!

[LiterallyKnowsBest]

So how and where can you find out about the next deadline?

And although there are no guarantees in anything, I’d be surprised if your team leader were suggesting options that weren’t a realistic possibility. Who is the best person for you to ask at work?

Your situation doesn’t read as ‘stuck’ - just a bit passive regarding doing the necessary research! Which is understandable if you’ve had a rough year. But you need to look up the exact, official routes into each job - entry qualifications, duration, cost (bursary / loan?), likely progression once qualified. Then set that info alongside your own likes, dislikes , skills …

[physwizz]

I'm a physio and happy to answer any questions about the course or profession if it would help

One thing I would say is you don't really escape unsocial hours or bodily fluids!!

[squeakyheart]

Some universities are offering physio apprenticeships now. You may want to look into respiratory physio if you don't like body fluids it was a real shock to me when I trained. Also have you considered OT ?

[Junepassing]

Thank you all for taking the time to comment. @LiterallyKnowsBest I think you may have hit the nail on the head, I can be rubbish at being proactive in researching things properly and something I need to get better at!

Sorry I know the bodily fluids thing sounds a bit flippant/pathetic. My current job does entail some of that, and I would never object to helping someone if they needed cleaning up after they'd had an accident etc, it's just an aversion after working on a ward for five years and constantly cleaning up after diarrhoea/illness, despite careful ppe/infection control I caught noro three times working there I also had a couple of patients die incredibly suddenly which left me a bit traumatised, again I know it's pathetic! It was a very stressful, understaffed ward and I think it's just put me off of nursing ward work! But I realise physio can be very ward based!

@physwizz thank you that would be amazing!

Did you do it as an older student/ were there many mature students in your cohort? What about diversity of students? I have a few visible tattoos (nothing offensive) but I do worry about not fitting in with other students.

What are the contact hours vs self directed study like? Were you more or less in lectures 9-5 each day when not on placement?

Was the course difficult? I get the impression there's so much complicated anatomy/biomechanics to learn and that it's a very heavy going course!

Are you glad you did it? Do you enjoy the job?

Sorry to bombard you with so many questions!

@squeakyheart Thanks I'll see if anywhere near to me does them. My mum keeps mentioning OT to me funnily enough, but whilst I know it's an amazing, vital profession, I've just never been that interested in it, although I don't know very much about it to be fair!

[physwizz]

1. 
   

I did it when I was 19 but there were a few mature students who fitted in just fine, in-fact they brought a maturity to our group which was much needed sometimes

I work with loads of physios with tattoos- I wouldn't give that a second thought
I thought we had a good diversity but guess that does depend on intake and the uni the year you go.

2)
Yep it was a 9-5 Monday to Friday course really. I was going into lectures more frequently and for longer periods than many of my house mates doing other courses, and that's because there is a lot to fit in to 3 years.

The first year was intense with lectures and learning anatomy etc but second and third were more about actually being out on placement and putting what you've learned into practice.

3) As I said above it's a tightly packed course but for me so worth it because when you get your first job you feel pretty confident that you can hit the ground running. I wouldn't let it put you off if you're interested in physio as a career as it's just 3 years and then you have an awesome job with so many different areas and specialties depending on what takes your interest. Eg sports rehab, respiratory care, neuro rehab, paediatrics, community care, hydrotherapy, cancer care, hand therapy, the list goes on!! And you will have a job for life should you want it.

[Junepassing]

@physwizz Thank you so much for taking the time to answer these - incredibly helpful answers! Thanks again!

[CoffeeWithCheese]

Honestly - right now I'd swerve the fuck out of any of the healthcare degrees. I'm having a shitty as hell time with the covid rules, placements going to crap and it generally just being as shit as possible an experience. I'm considering dropping out with 1 1/2 terms to go as I'm just broken.

[Junepassing]

@CoffeeWithCheese I understand what you're saying - at one point recently I nearly swore off healthcare altogether after encounters with a couple of particularly unpleasant patients. I do sometimes think they ask too much of staff for the pay as well. I was quite shocked at the basic rate a band 5 gets! Do you mind if I ask what
course you're doing?

[CoffeeWithCheese]

[quote Junepassing]@CoffeeWithCheese I understand what you're saying - at one point recently I nearly swore off healthcare altogether after encounters with a couple of particularly unpleasant patients. I do sometimes think they ask too much of staff for the pay as well. I was quite shocked at the basic rate a band 5 gets! Do you mind if I ask what
course you're doing?[/quote]
I'm doing Speech and Language Therapy - was so passionate about the course and the subject, loved placements, loved the lectures and content.

Then Covid hit. I can't wear a mask (I'm waiting for an autism diagnostic appointment) - well I can wear one but then every bit of my thought processes goes toward not freaking out and I lose the ability to think and speak coherently from total overload... believe me I've tried and tried and made myself physically ill trying to desensitise through it.

So I can't complete my final placement at the moment and if they don't find me a TeleHealth one - I won't get to qualify and will have wasted 3 years and all that debt.

I'm very bitter.

[Hairyfairy01]

What is it about physio that appeals to you? I think I lot of people go into physio without realising that in order to specialise in one area (say pain), you normally have to complete rotations and work in a variety of different settings. Bodily fluids and death are common.

What is putting you off about OT? It is closely linked to physio and can take you in a variety of different directions.

Nurses are an amazing bunch but tend to have less opportunities to progress beyond a band 5 and it's long, anti social shifts with a lot of stress and paperwork from what I see.

Have you considered other AHP's? What are you good at and what do you enjoy?

[quiteathome]

Hi,

I am in year three of a podiatry degree. Also worth considering. We have MSK as well as the high risk foot ect. Generally office type hours, and questions just ask.

I never ever thought I would end up working with feet. However it is a great option.