Becoming a nurse? I am clueless.... Pls help!

[Lola10]

Hi!

I am starting to think that I want to do something more rewarding, something that I can do for a long time.

I would love to study to become a nurse or midwife, but where do I start???? I am not originally from the UK so I dont really know how it all works. I read online that it takes 3 years (correct me if I am wrong) and that the course is 50% theorie and 50% work experience / on the job training. Where are these courses being given? College? Uni? How much homework / home studying can I expect/ how much does that cost?

I have 1 lo (2.5 years old) and I would like as much info as possible.

How do you cope financially during the training???

XXX
PS Sorry for all the questions.... Its just that I really am clueless

Many thanks

You need to apply to a uni. The fees are paid by the NHS, but they may not pay if you are not British / EU - not sure the exact rules.

DOn't forget that the practical side will be shifts so you need to think about childcare.

Start with your local uni website.

This link explains a bit, with further links down the right hand side.

Think my non-British neighbour got her course NHS funded but can't be sure.

Thanks for the info and responds.

I need to look into that very carefully, everything will comes down to the money, that is if my partner can support all of us when I will be in a full time education.

If you can find a nursing diploma course you'll get a non means tested bursary. But you need to move fast as all the diploma courses will soon be degree courses which has a lesser, means tested bursary.

You can do direct entry midwifery but these are now all degrees I believe. Competitive to get onto as well.

Yes its 50/50 theory/placements. You'll have a lot of homework. Reading/assignments for a couple of hours most days after a day in the hospital or in uni.

Sorry to ask but what is tested bursary and lesser?

Is that sort of extra money for students or a loan?

When I did my midwifery training a few years ago all my fees were paid for me. I then got a non means tested bursary of about £550 a month. So a monthly wage as it were that I didn't have to pay back.

Student midwives and soon student nurses will get a maximum bursary of about 3k a year. But if their partner earns over a certain amount this is reduced. If I was doing training now I wouldn't get a penny.

Thanks I will ask about that as well.

Like they say every little helps

And please dont go into nursing or midwifery thinking its wonderful

the hours are often long (12 hour shifts), expected to work days nights weekends xmas etc, you often dont get to pee when you need to, sometimes you dont get a break, you often leave late for no extra pay. You may be shouted at, spat at, punched, sworn at, scratched etc. your nursing colleagues will dump you in the shite at the first sign of any trouble (lots of arse covering goes on).

But some days are worth it, but i can count those days on my two hands where i feel ive made a real difference

You also need to think about whetehr you want to be a nurse or a midwife as they're both very different jobs. Its like saying you want to be a copper or a firefighter. Just because they wear similar uniforms and both work in hospitals doesn't mean the jobs are the same.

Hi there, I have just (literally got my classification of my degree through today) finished studying a BSc (Hons) Occupational Therapy, which is slightly different, but like the Nursing BSc is funded by NHS.
I am from Germany (actually i did my Nursing in Germany when I was younger, but decided I would prefer to be an OT :)), but have lived in UK for the best of the last 16 years as I am married to a brit.
Depending on your position in regards of you living here (i.e. need of visa/work permissions) it might be different for you, but I got the degree funded by the NHS just as other did.
I did not claim any additional bursaries, but that was my own choice.

Have a look which Universities are the ones near you and if they offer the Nursing Degree course , than see if you are going to go for full time or part time study.
Part timers usually are asked to apply directly to the University and full time students apply over UCAS.

Once you have located a University or more (depending which area you live in you may have a few options open to you...or if relocation would be not an issue)... than get to talk to them. I went to an Open day and was able to get all teh relevant information there, and was straight away told about a course I was asked to do in order to get accepted. I was lucky, due to having done nursing before, all they wanted me to do was a study skills course, which was a part time course over 10 or 12 weeks and was a brilliant investment, as it gave me the confidence and the skills to complete academic essays etc. Some people had to do access courses, etc... so worth finding out the relevant info from the relevant institutions.
Good luck and I hope I have not confused you to much.

Thanks for all your replays and suggestions. After contacting university about studying nursing, I was give lots of info about what to do in regards to applying for the space at the course. And unfortunately at the moment it is impossible for me to quit my job for 6-7 years to become a nurse :(