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Original poster

Go back to college or get a job ???

29 replies

nutcracker · 14/07/2004 21:38

I can't decide what to do (again).

I was supposed to be going back to college in Sept to do a full time Access to Nursing course.
This was however all dependant on wether my friend did it too or not. Not because i didn't want to go on my own but because she drives and without her there is no way i could get back to school in time to collect dd's, and can't afford to pay for after school club.

My friend however just cannot make up her mind. To be fiar hers is a harder desicion to make as she works part time and would have to cut it down to just Sundays, but i have asked her several times now if she has decided and spoken to her boss about her hours, and she keeps saying she will and then doesn't.

If i don't go back to college then i will have to get a job

a) because i am fed up of being stuck at home all day every day

b) we could really do with the money

I could go back to college to do something else but don't know what. Can't do the access part time as i tried that before and it just didn't work out.

OP posts:
tiredemma · 14/07/2004 15:19

r u around nutty?

Original poster
nutcracker · 14/07/2004 17:25

I'm here now. Have been out at Dd2's sports day.

Right so it's tuesdays. That is fine didn't really metter what day it was.

As far as the childcare goes, it would be better if i did the 2 yr course as then when i started uni i would only need 1 yrs childcare and Ds would be nearly 3 so i would get the 12.5 hours free a week.

I really need to go and speak to student support though as i find the whole thing highly confusing.
If i had to pay for 3 days of childcare for Ds that would still leave me very broke, and i would also be paying for after school club too.

Chloe - Do i have to have work experiance ?? I simply cannot fit it in aswell as college, will that matter ??
We were told at college before that as long as we got the credits we would get in (nursing anyway).

Blimey you'd think seen as there is a shortage that they would make it easier to get in and shove info your way.

OP posts:
nikcola · 14/07/2004 18:00

nutty im having the same problems it is all very confusing im going to see a student support person next tuesday ill let you no how i get on xxx nikii xxx

chloeb2002 · 14/07/2004 19:43

Hi there, i have done some work experince. Only a bit really. I lined up two wesk on a childrens ward and was bored stupid so only did 3 days , but i did do three days with the midwives. Mostly because this is my main ambition, and without practical experiance to refer to its nearly completely impossible to get in to midwifery! Nursing isnt so bad but the problem seems to be that some people who dont want to be nurses apply to do a nursing degree just to get help with funding. A nursing degree opens many doors. The diploma is over subscribed because the entry criterea is so wide. At my diploma interview the youngest people will have been 18 and the oldest was 54 and i think she got a place! So hope for any oldies wanting to do nursing .
Id suggest if you can get a day or two then do it! its well worth it. It will give you a practical topic to talk about at your interview. The panal for interviews tends to be split into one academic person and a person from the trust. So in my case the trust person talked about nursing.. questions like what are the qualities of the nurse? How can you tell if a patient is comfortable? And a current affair and where i read/ heard about it?
On the academic side it was more black and white, how do you structure an assignment? how do you research?
I found the clinical bit very hard because i felt i just didnt know what they wanted me to say? i found it really subjective? But i had subscribed to the nursing times and found that really helpful to refer to? its quite often on special offer on subscription? and is really good to start reading before your knowledge increases and then you understand more and more as you learn more! There is another magazine called the nursing standard, which is also great! both are availible online too.

As for the shortage.... unfortunately the shortage is not of applicants? I was told at my diploma interview that they had recieved 3500 applications and there are 120 places! but dnt be disheartened because the access course wil set you up really well
midwifery was even more bannanas with 400 candidates with suitable and relevant qualifications, and at one uni only 16 places!
Any idea what stream you want to do? where do you want to study?

tiredemma · 15/07/2004 15:33

nutty, all access course applicants on this years course got a uni place, even those without experience, so i wouldnt stress yourself out about it, plus if you do the two year course, if you want to you could get some voluntary work exp next year or something. different unis have different guidlines and admission numbers etc, in birmingham for example each year between uce and birmingham university there are 600 nursing places.
ive got two friends who have just completed at sutton college, one is going into childrens nursing and one midwifery, neither of those had any experience in a care setting.
speak to student support, im sure they will help you

chloeb2002 · 15/07/2004 15:38

Hey nut cracker i did the access to nursing and am now a student nurse!!!! so go and do it you will love it!!!! Ask at the college about fundingassistance. They paid ALL my nursery fees for my then 12 month old... that was 3 full days a week. They will also cover any after school or pre school if you needed it im sure. I loved my access programme it was fab and has set me up very well. Feel free to email me for moral support! but go do it!!! you wont regret it, just think through all the tough times what a rearding profession you will be part of and how much extra 'brass' you will be earning!

fairydust · 15/07/2004 16:07

how dare you go to college / back to work what am i gonna do in an afternoon without talking to you.

Only joking go for it mate i think you will make a fantadtic nurse

Lifes to short never have any "i wish i'd done this i wish i'd done that"

nikcola · 15/07/2004 18:06

hey nutty, im doing the access course to be a nurse in september we can do it together ,
go on nutty i no you can do it u can get a job when u finish the course, just keep nagging your friend xxxxx

twiglett · 15/07/2004 18:13

message withdrawn

nikcola · 15/07/2004 18:18

nutty if u explain to the collage will thay let u leave a bit early, the student support people at collage that deal with all this are very good trust me xxxxxx

nikcola · 15/07/2004 18:32

i got on my course nuttyxxxxxx good luck on deciding what to do nikkixxxxxxxxxxx have u sorted out driving lessons yet ?

nikcola · 15/07/2004 19:25

bumpxx

Original poster
nutcracker · 16/07/2004 00:42

Thanks guys

I am going to ring the college on Monday, and make an appointmnent to go and speak to them. I will also put Ds's name down at the nursery just incase.

Great to hear your news Nickola.

My friend did mention it today, and said she does really really want to do it but she is worried about giving up her job and then being broke all the time.
I'm not going to mention it again though as i don't want to push her into it.

You are all right, i would love it, but i have quite low self esteem and self confidence and i know i'll find it hard at first.

I am also going to sort out my new birth certificate so i can have my driving lessons. Although Dp has just changed his job and i won't have use of the car (unless i make him go to work on a bike).

OP posts:
granarybeck · 16/07/2004 01:04

Hi nutcracker, i have just applied to do social work course this eptember. they are, hopefully, giong to pay my childcare. if not, they said if i apply to the access fund when i start i should get help towards childcare and more. I too had issues with having the confidence to do it and childcare/ money. but i have just taken a deep breath, accepted the place. I have now been surprised at the different places you can access financial help and support. i decided it was worth trying. if all fails i can then get a job and try again at a later date. good luck, it sounds like something you really want to do.

Original poster
nutcracker · 16/07/2004 01:10

I never really looked into the finacial support before so i will make a point of doing that.

From what i've heard the nursery charge 15 quid a day for those not on any benefits and 5 quid a day for those who are. We currently get full WFTC (free perscriptions e.t.c) so i think i would be paying the 5 quid a day. I know thats not alot but 25 quid a week would still be a bit much for us, so hopefully i could get help with that.

OP posts:
Original poster
nutcracker · 16/07/2004 01:11

Sorry, meant to add, Well done GB, hope you enjoy it.

OP posts:
granarybeck · 16/07/2004 01:21

definitely worth asking. i had just presumed i would be paying it all myself and was debating whether i could afford it or not. Then i spoke to the welfare officer at the college who was really helpful and put me on to other sources. i know it is difficult but i have done a course before while my kids were very young and in some ways its quite a good time to study, being at home and used to lack of sleep anyway. other people on my course were out every night (lucky them!) so even with two kids i still actually had more time for work than them. i also think that in nursing/social field if you can afford to be a bit skint while you study it does pay to have that necessary piece of paper to then get better jobs in the future. no pain no gain i guess. crap but maybe true

chloeb2002 · 16/07/2004 13:17

Just a note from what you said. Just check out where you stand financially with WFTC. Do you get it for yourself? or does DP live with you and you both get it? I dont think WFTC will be seen as a benift as it comes from the inland revenue? So apply to the acess/ student support maybe. Also be prepared for a waitlist at the college nursery! DD was waitlisted from february before i started in september! and has had to stay in over summer at my cost to be able to maintain a place for next year as they are so over subscribed! Im sure you can make it work. It does take sacrafice and it is very hard work, but whilst you are struggling just remember that the access year is pretty much the same as the first year of the diploma. I presume for financial benefits you will opt for diploma? Apply very early for uni as places are increasingly competitive.
Im sure you can do it! if i can so can anyone! Oh yeah and try and get some work placements sorted out to start asap? badger all the local hospitals, GP's and sure start are good too!

tiredemma · 16/07/2004 23:52

hi nutty, why dont u do the course part time over the two years? you wont be in college every day and so can still deal with the little ones, you could also still get a part time job. i know it sounds like a long time but when i went for the interview, sara allen was really positive about the day release access course, especially when she knew i had young children, not so much stress or pressure!

Original poster
nutcracker · 17/07/2004 00:15

Thanks for that info Chloe .
It is myself and my partner that get wftc, but i think because our earnings are still under 14500 I would still be entitled to help.

The college nursery isn't open in the holidays so i wouldn't have to keep Ds in.
I did hear that from sept of this year all nhs students will have their childcare paid (80%) i think, have you heard anything about that ??

Emma - I did consider doing the daytime two year one but to be honest it was doiung it part time last time that was part of the prob for me as it just seem to drag too much.

I am going to ring the collegfe tommorow and see what advice they can give me.

Thanks all

OP posts:
Original poster
nutcracker · 17/07/2004 00:16

Emma - Is it one day a week ??? Which day is it ??

OP posts:
nikcola · 17/07/2004 00:34

go nutty,
go nutty,
go nutty.
go nutty, xxxxxxxx
im glad your going to see them tomorow good luck not that youll need it nikki xxxxxx

Original poster
nutcracker · 17/07/2004 00:36

LOL Nickola

God i'm such a wimp, even the thought of ringing them gives me the wobblies.

OP posts:
tiredemma · 17/07/2004 13:16

nutty its on a tuesday, im in contact with girl off another message board who has just completed her access course at sutcol, if your household income is under 25k per year then the nursery is free.
the help towards nursery costs by the government is 85% but that is not for the college course but for when you are an actual student at university.
i know two years sounds such a long way off but it suits me better, i went to my interview thinking that sara allen would try and talk me into the full time one but she actually said that by doing two years i increase my chances of acceptance at university as i have shown commitment on a two year course and because the college staff have to send references of students twice a year to our desired uni's and so over two years gives them the chance to know us better.
remember - rome wasn't built in a day!!
id love u to come to college with me id make sure you completed the course this time mate!!!!

hope you have settled into your house now and no doubt the kids are finally treading mud through from the garden!

luckymum · 17/07/2004 18:00

Nutty - I did a one year 'Fast Track Access' - one day a week plus loads of home study, didn't affect my benefits and cut down on childcare problems too. I think you'll find that the college are really flexible anyway - they are used to mature students with other committments.

Take a deep breath and go for it, after the first day you'll wonder what you worried about

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