Fed up and not sure what to do next.

[TitsalinaBumSquash]

I have always, always wanted to work in nursing or medicine.
However due to very poor family circumstances and my health I didn't sit my GCSEs at school and left half way through year 11.

I went to college to ask advice and was told to sit level 1&2 Numeracy and Literacy exams which I did and passed both, I was told these would stand as GCSE equivalent should I want to study further.

Several years later and I've just applied to start next years access to health and social care studies at college but have been turned down because my certificates no longer count as entry requirements.

So now I have to do my GCSE courses and exams at college and add another year onto study if I want to get into nursing.

It's so frustrating, I'm 31, I'm bright and I have a good grasp on English, science and maths, I have years of experience of caring through private agencies and my own family.

I don't know wether to do all my GCSEs at college or split between college and home study so I can't continue working to pay for all this.

No one needs reply to this btw I'm just ranting and fed up, we have a huge shortage of nurses and I'm here willing and able but finding it so hard.

Just to clarify that if you don't have Maths and English GCSEs then even if you are a mature student you shouldn't have to pay to take these qualifications. These courses are free.
You do have to pay for an access course though, but it would take less time than other options.
However if you have to be college anyway to take GCSEs then ask about level 2 or 3 Health and Social Care courses.
Am not sure when it's starting but have a look at NHS traineeships which are a paid way into working for the NHS (similar to apprenticeships).
Hope that helps

I'll have to look into what the weekly course load of GCSEs would be.