If you are a nurse or healthcare professional

[Chuggachuggatoottoot]

How well did you do at school? I didn't get great GCSES when I was younger. I've gone on to get level 2 qualifications. I'm mid thirties.
I've always thought about doing something more in a healthcare environment but I just don't know if I am clever enough.

I got six O'levels ( showing my age but they are equivalent to GCSE's), and 2 A levels.

I did medium-well at GCSE and A-levels (all A-Cs), but I honestly don't recall what if any impact that had on my application to nursing. I do know there were many people of many age and above (30+) in my cohort, and those who had been out of education for a certain time or didn't have the required grades had a year's access course prior to undertaking the degree. There will be ways and means, and if your heart is in it, I would encourage you not to be defeated.

The 'smarts' and skills can be taught, what matters most is your compassion, attitude and values, which I am sure you already hold. The rest you can learn - I am not sure I could have added 10 and 10 when I started my training, now I can calculate drugs and drip rates in my sleep!

Best of luck with whatever you decide.

I got 5 gcse’s, no maths or science😳 I am a child of the 70’s and went to carp schools that wrote me off quite early.

I did a Btec National Diploma and then went on to do my nursing with a brief foray in to a degree course first.

I think you need maths and science these days or to do an access course.

1996 GCSEs x 10 A-C
1998 A levels BBE
Nursing BN (Hons) 2:2
17 years in A&E
Just about to start my masters

1996 GCSEs x 10 A-C
1998 A levels BBE
Nursing BN (Hons) 2:2
17 years in A&E
Just about to start my masters

Thanks all

I have 10 GCSEs A-C, dropped out of college. Got a job. Went to uni, dropped out. Got a few other jobs. Went to uni to do nursing and have a diploma in nursing. 5 years qualified.

GCSEs 12 x A
A levels 3As 1 B

This was many moons ago. Needed 5 A-C plus 2 A levels to do my nursing course back then.

I wrote a long post but lost it, basics of it was work supported me to do 2 courses OCN advanced care in the community over a year and C&G community mental health care as they were relevant to them

I worked my way thro as a p/t student an HNC care practice 1 day a week over 2 years, Then for 2 years both courses part time I did an access to nursing course which was academic from Queens Uni Belfast 2 nights per week and a practical access to nursing course in another local college 1 day per week for 2 years, year 1 was a friday and year 2 was a Tuesday.

I got my place for MH nursing out of 31 places

But, about a month before ready to start, I was floored by a virus with infections raging, this was the start of my M.E but I didn't know it.

At the same time my virus hit, my mum became very ill (heart, lungs and kidneys failed) and was on very short time so I gave her 110% not knowing the harm I was doing my body by pushing it so much. I was diagnosed the following year. Mam had died 6 weeks after becoming ill

I deferred my place and in January 2008, I gave it up altogether as I was struggling to meet my own basic needs never mind nursing. I got worse over the years healthwise and more complicated, I now am mostly bedbound/housebound and have carers x 4 times a day.

It wasnt to be

10 A-C GCSE’s
BBCC A-Levels
2:1 undergrad degree
Into second year of my masters

Whilst academic ability isn’t everything you do need to have some idea of what an undergraduate degree will entail. Nothing more souls destroying than doing well on placement and not being able to pull together a satisfactory essay.

Go for it! I'm the same as you mid thirties got GCSES but not in Maths. I've just re done maths and start college in September to gain A levels to go on to a health care career. I wish I had done it years ago.

I graduated at 34 with 5 kids behind me!
10 GCSEs A-C
Crap A levels due to baby and pregnancy.
Worked for 6 years
Applied for a foundation degree and graduated aged 34 with a Bsc in biomedical sciences.
Registered with HCPC last year and hoping to specialise.
I love my job and it was well worth all the sleep deprivation!