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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to be wondering if I could train to be a nurse?

47 replies

Quietpastures · 18/09/2014 21:15

I am currently a home care assistant so linked experience.

I love my job but the pay isn't good and working conditions well they're pretty much non existent.

So I have been toying with training as a nurse, but am worried I'd just find the training impossible. Anyone who can help?

OP posts:
Gumnast2014 · 18/09/2014 21:18

Why couldn't you not? Course you can you can do whatever you want to!
Go for it you have some idea of the basics if you have been care assistant. The course you will get through hard but worry it

Go for itSmileSmile

HolgerDanske · 18/09/2014 21:19

Funny, I was planning to start the very same thread today but I chickened out.

I will hang out here instead Smile

CantThinkOfAGoodUserName · 18/09/2014 21:19

Do it!

chestnut100 · 18/09/2014 21:21

I'm on year 2 of my nursing degree, went back to uni after many years away from study. Feel free to ask any questions and I will try answer as honestly as possible

steff13 · 18/09/2014 21:21

I don't think everyone is cut out be a nurse, but if you are a home care assistant you probably do have the right personality. I say go for it!

rempy · 18/09/2014 21:22

NHS careers say "To work as a nurse in the NHS, you must be registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC), which means you'll need a degree in nursing. Diploma courses are no longer available".

And then "It is possible to work your way up from a healthcare assistant and progress to apply for a place on a degree course. However, you will still need to meet the entry requirements."

www.nhscareers.nhs.uk/explore-by-career/nursing/ is where the above came from.

Do you have academic basics? GCSE maths, english and three others at a-c?

Babyroobs · 18/09/2014 21:25

You would need to get a degree in Nursing, you can do an access course. The actual working as a Nurse once trained is the hard bit, shift work , a lot of responsibility and decision making and a lot of stress. the pay is better but still not great although obviously it depends how quickly you climb the ladder.

Original poster
Quietpastures · 18/09/2014 21:27

I've got GCSEs and I already have a degree but it's in an unrelated subject.

Although I passed GCSE science many years ago! I'm not scientifically minded particularly. This worries me and makes me feel I might mess up.

OP posts:
rempy · 18/09/2014 21:38

Mmmmmmmmmm. I think the academic work will be mixed, and what you may be lumping as "science" may be rather more interesting than you previously remember.

And actually, as an older learner, you may find that the "science" is just something to make sense of what it is that you're seeing when you're dealing with a patient. And is then very helpful, and not scary.

Nursing encompasses advocacy, management, legal issues, as well as physiology and pharmacology, so it's certainly not as uni-dimensional as other paramedical degrees.

The hardest component of the diploma that I teach on for nurse practitioners is their professional issues essay, i.e. the "non" science part.

Go for it. But beware - health care assistants are doing most of the "traditional" nursing role, with time to talk to people, and provide actual intimate care, comfort and support. Nurses roles are diverse, but often not as hands on as perhaps they'd like.

IamHelenaJustina · 18/09/2014 21:41

If you've already got a degree then it's highly likely you can manage the academic elements and you know you like working with people. I assume you're well up on vomit, wee and poo so you've got that covered Grin
One thing to think about is the responsibility - it is huge. And also the emotional impact. Some nursing jobs will allow you to make a lot of impact on people's lives but even in those jobs you can give 100% and still have a lousy outcome.
Good luck.

IamHelenaJustina · 18/09/2014 21:42

Also think about your maths skills - nothing too scary but it's vital you can do drug calculations.

SauvignonBlanche · 18/09/2014 21:44

If you've got a degree already andyouve got practical experience you!do be an ideal candidate!

Lj8893 · 18/09/2014 21:51

Go for it!

i had my first day at college today doing an access course which will lead on to midwifery or nursing (i haven't quite made my mind up which yet!) assuming i get a place!

i am also a home care assistant and have an unrelated previous degree.

loved my first day on the access course, my modules are biology, psychology and sociology.

Original poster
Quietpastures · 18/09/2014 21:58

Eep now maths does really scare me. I'm utterly hopeless at maths. I scraped a C sometime in 1998! but yes, that scares me!

Poo and vomit - bring it on, Maths, now,

It is an honour and a privilege to work as a homecare assistant, but yes, losing the hands on touch scares me.

OP posts:
Trinpy · 18/09/2014 21:59

I would recommend getting some experience working in hospital as an auxiliary nurse first. It will give you the chance to see what it's like being a nurse.

I worked as a care assistant and loved it. Was dead set on training to be a nurse. Got a job as an auxiliary and realised nursing isn't for me.

Good luck!

Original poster
Quietpastures · 18/09/2014 22:01

Is an auxiliary nurse another name for a healthcare assistant in a hospital? Blush

I guess I'd obviously have to do lots of different elements to nursing if I went for it - everyone's so lovely and encouraging but I am worried I'm not really clever enough to be honest!

OP posts:
rempy · 18/09/2014 22:02

Quiet - there are still very hands on areas - critical care for example. One patient to do everything for, everything. Feed, turn, wash, medicines, monitoring, etc etc etc. Very hands on.

Original poster
Quietpastures · 18/09/2014 22:04

Thank you rempy :)

Since i have loved the home care work I was tentatively wondering about district nursing. Daftest reason ever, but my mum had cancer years ago and her district nurses were superb.

I'd obviously have to test the water generally though.

OP posts:
ThePortlyPinUp · 18/09/2014 22:05

I'm starting my nursing degree on Monday :) I've spent the last year doing an access to science and nursing course at my local college which with my gcse's gave me the evidence of recent study that was required to apply. I'm currently 50% nervous and 50% excited Grin

rempy · 18/09/2014 22:06

Quiet, if you can get through the degree, we really really need compassionate nurses in the NHS, not just clever ones.

You sound like you have good motives for doing this. Crack on!

HolgerDanske · 18/09/2014 22:07

Maths is the one thing that would let me down I think. I'm not actually that bad, I've got the required level of qualifications, but anything to do with maths and calculations stresses me right out. It's purely a mental block.

It's such a shame because in every other respect I know I would make an excellent nurse.

Original poster
Quietpastures · 18/09/2014 22:11

Oh good luck portly :)

Rempy thank you, you have been so encouraging.

I had a very well paid professional job but I've just adored being a carer. Who'd have thought it hey! But when I arrived early for an elderly gentleman who'd had a nasty stomach bug and he was so grateful for my helping him clean up and I just knew I handled it well - if you see what I mean. It must have been horrible for him but I'm pretty sure I was able to reassure him it just wasn't anything to be upset about. As well as ensuring he was clean and safe of course! And I just realised I'd never felt so 'important' for all my fancy job titles, because after all this was another human being.

OP posts:
inlectorecumbit · 18/09/2014 22:11

Do it. You obviously have the brains and the commitment to pull it off. I am crap at maths but to be honest it is not that difficult--and simple arithmetic or a calculator Grin
please do not let the maths issue put you off

ShakyTheStork · 18/09/2014 22:12

Go for it OP! You already work in healthcare and your degree shows that you can study at that level. Ideal. Get applying.

I started my nurse training in 1994 (I cannot believe the is 20 yrs ago!). I qualified as a nurse in 1997 and worked on a surgical ward for 3 years, before going off and doing midwifery training in 2000, qualified in 2002.

Sometimes I miss nursing but I bloody LOVE being a community midwife (even though they get bashed regularly on here).

Go for it, it will be a long road but worth it. Good luck!

inlectorecumbit · 18/09/2014 22:12

oops should have added l am a nurse