needing help regarding burseries for training as a nurse

[kerryk]

i am really hoping to start training to be a nurse this year, i am really worried about how we will manage when i lose my wage though and am struggling to make sense of all the grant/bursery information that i have come across.

i have found this online and was wondering if anyone knows if it applies to evryone who starts training or if it is means tested, dh earns a good wage which i fear will go againsed us but its not good enough to keep us in the lifestyle we are used to for 3 years while i train.

thanks in advance

I am not 100% sure...but the way I understand it (after talking to a girl that is just starting her Diploma this January), I think if you do the diploma then the money stated there is what you get, but if you do a degree it's different and a lot less...
does that make sesne at all?
I suppose it would be best to give Uni a call about it!

This website should help.

Oh i think you have already looked there haven't you.

If you do the diploma you definatly get the set basic bursary which every diploma student gets. Wether you are entitled to any additional top ups is dependant on your circumstances.

So you will definatly get the minimum of £6372 (or £7443 if in London).

thank you, i thought thats what it was meaning but wanted to make sure. if i was to get the minimum (sure i would also be intitled to the dependents one as i have 2 dd's) it would take away the financial worry as i would be making more than what i do working part time.

shudder, I just looked at the Bursery forms that one has got to fill out...shudder....just can't wait for that then, sigh....

If you do the diploma you get a non-means tested bursary but not entitled to loans

If you do a degree you get means tested bursary and entitled to a loan.

Im doing a degree (god only knows why I chose to do the degree) and as such get bugger all bursary (not entirely true but the bit I do get is hardly worth it)and £710 loan 3x a year.

Diploma is generally lesser academic work ( which is another reason why I question I didnt choose to do a Diploma!)
Good Luck!

Kerry, you won't get the dependants allowance if your other half is working, as your children won't be classed as being dependant on you iyswim.

That is what my friend was told anyway, but check that as I am not 100% sure.

hi kerryk. I am 3rd year but am bursaried in wales which i think is different to england as we're not means tested.
I dont get any dependants allowance as dh earns too much (and believe me you dont havw to earn much for them to not give you anymore). Its just a basic bursary.

I joined the nurse bank when I started and when I need to I supplement my income doing bank shifts as an auxiliary. Easy to do during college time and also gives you good experience for lots of wards.

Good luck, it is all worth it if you can afford it

aahhh never thought about that nutcracker, even still at least i know that it is do-able with the basic bursery.

thanks a lot everyone, i am determined that i am going to do it, even though it is really scary and i am leaving my comfort zone.

mosschops do you get any extra help with childcare costs (through tax credits etc) or do you have to use your bursery for this.

no help with childcare again because of dh's wages, although I do know people that do get help (your dp/dh (i you have one) would need to be a fairly low earner).
He pays for it out his wages as my bursary wouldnt even cover our monthly childcare costs

i can see that being a problem for me then. dd1 is at school so not so worried about her but dd2 is only going to be in nursery from 9-00 till 11-30 (proper nursery so dont pay) then i would need childcare all afternoon for her. another option would be to hold of a year till she goes to school but i would rather not do this if possible.

one small mercy is that dh's work have started doing the childcare vouchers so we would save a little bit on tax.

If you think you can do it then my advice would be to go for it.
I was almost 6 months pg when I started and the Uni tried to put me off but I was determined to start as I'd waited so long to do my training.

Good luck anyway where r u applying to and what sort of nursing?

oh dont forget that college time is not every day, and usually half days (although the odd full day does crop up).
You will still need chilcare for your dd's when you;re on placement though unless your dp could collect as the shifts vary from lates and earlys to full 12 hours in some places.

HTH

thats great mosschops i was going to come back on and ask you about how many hours you were at college, did you get a timetable to stick to or was it a case of somedays you were told not to come in or finish early?

i am really hoping that the college will have a timetable that i can organise my childminder round and then i can sort out extra cover for placements as and when.

i would love to do the midwifery course but my chances of getting on that will be nil i think so i am hoping to do the childrens nursing.

sorry forgot to add that i am applying to napier in edinburgh, because of children etc its the only one that is suitable for me.

ooh lovely good luck, you will really enjoy it

college can vary, we do get a timetable but it changes. This week was supposed to be all day yesterday and today (ended up being 1/2 day yesterday and til 4pm today) half day tomorrow then off thurs and friday.
They are pretty good if they stick an extra lecture in then you just write 'childcare' on the register.

Ah I'm so excited for you, I'm kind of gutted my course is coming to an end. Its been ups and downs but we've had a laugh

i will swap with you then, i will take over your last little bit and you can do mine from the start.