How to become a nurse?

[Bug84]

I’ve done lots of googling so have an idea, but would love some advice from women who’ve done this recently…not interested in the why, more the how. Collecting facts to decide whether to pursue nursing😊

I’m 36, mum of 3 including a new baby.

Ive got a modern languages degree and worked in London for 6ish years in various creative agencies (not creative roles, on the operations side of things). I freelanced after my first was born but stopped when DC2 was 18 months, haven’t worked at all since then, for almost 2 years. My a levels were in humanities subjects.
I’ve still got a sizeable chunk of student debt left (plan 1)

I believe I would need to do the access course, because I don’t have science a levels? Is that correct? Can anyone tell me what the contact hours are like for this course (thinking in terms of what childcare I’d need). Also if you had to pay up front for this course and how much? Or if you were able to access finance for it?

Is work experience eg HCA or carer experience, necessary or advisable before applying for the degree?

If you still have student debt from a first degree, are you able to access student finance for a nursing degree?

Then for those of you who’ve done the degree as parents, any tips/advice on managing childcare etc? I understand it would be extremely challenging and that there would be some blocks of night shifts etc.

thank you!

Nursing lecturer here...

No science A levels aren't required
Contact hours - usually a 40 week year of which half is in university and half in clinical placements. In university can be 9-4 over 3-4 days. Placements 37 hours over full 24 hour period - some weekends/nights/public holiday. 7am starts etc

Student finance loan will fund nursing as a second degree. £5K non repayable bursary plus child care and transport costs available under certain circumstances.

You could consider PG Nursing pre registration programmes as you've already got a first degree which can offer an accelerated two year option in many universities (though you may need some experience in care work)

I see many individuals with children that cope with a nursing course - but it generally requires a really good network of supportive partners and families.

You lost me at “new baby” tbh. I went back to uni to become a nurse when my youngest was established at primary school. I cannot imagine for a minute doing it with children any younger tbh. It’s brutal- the placements are full time and may be from 7am-7.30pm or nightshift etc. If I hadn’t had amazing support from my husband and then have him work from home due to covid, I don’t think I’d have been able to manage. But I DO love my job and I am so so glad I did it. But in your shoes? I think I’d wait a few years and do it in my forties. Maybe get some care experience meantime as it’s invaluable.

Thank you! I didn’t realise about the PG being an option.

Yes totally get you about the baby situation. Would be unlikely to be for at least 2 years, but wanted to find out about the practical side and plan ahead. Great to hear you did it and love it 😊

can I ask about getting care work experience, any tips on the best way to do that?

The care experience needed for the post graduate nursing programmes varies from university to university. Some are very flexible and will include volunteering with any semi vulnerable group whilst others are more prescriptive. Might be worth exploring these options at your local universities?

The shortened programmes give registration with either a MSc or PGDip. They are however very full on as the academic components are at the higher level. The idea is that as someone already with a first degree you will have well developed study skills already and will therefore manage the pace.

Have you done any care work before OP? If not I would try and get some experience first. I have worked in various care roles and now in community nursing since I was 18 (35 now). Been in my community healthcare assistant post for 8 years and am due to qualify in October this year as a registered nurse after doing mine through the open university. This is part time and my children are 10 and 8 and I am perpetually exhausted, module work at home, working my usual job and placements, the placements have been by far my biggest stress as I don’t have much help with childcare but have a friend who I pay to help, a childminder in the holidays and work the days when I have someone to get them from school, this has only been possible with the placements being flexible with me and I wouldn’t have been able to do it with a baby when more care would be needed.

im in Scotland and entry required SCQF level 5 maths and English

How easy / difficult is it to get a position as an HCA, does it require experience or qualifications? Can it ever be part time / bank? Or always full time? Like the idea of doing that for a year or two to see if I’m actually cut out for nursing. Thanks all for your input and experiences!

@Bug84 HCA posts are easy to come by in nursing/residential homes as they're crying out for staff. You could consider joining the local hospital bank - you usually have to undergo a period of classroom training and shadow shifts which may not be paid.

Bank work can be full time or very part time - it's designed for people who need flexibility in working hours