So upset and it's all my own fault.

[nutcracker]

Some of you may know that i was supposed to be going back to college this september.
I started the course last sept but dropped out just before i should of taken my exams at the end of the first term.
My friend also left but she did take her exams.

We both decided that we wanted to go back and have had a hell of a time trying to get back in as this years course is full.

My friend has just rung to say that our old tutor has told her that because she did her exams and got the credits she can start in yr 2's class. This will mean that she only has to do one yr now instead of 2.

I rang and was told that because i didn't do the exam and didn't get the credit I have to do the it all again from the beginning even though it means that for the first term i will be doing work that i have already done and assignments that i have already done and passed, same goes for presentations, mini tests e.t.c.

I am soo annoyed and upset, i have been crying since she rang. It's my own fault but it's ruined everything.
I won't be able to do the course at all now as i will have to much of a rush to get from school to college in the morning on the bus and home in rush hour on a bus with ds i do not fancy at all.

My friend feels quitye guilty i think as i was crying at her down the phone but obviously I don't want her to feel bad as it's my fault not hers.

Am just soooo anyoed with myslef for being so stupid.

I didn't do too bad in science double D i think, god knows how, don't remember ever doing any work.

Seem to remember chemistry was a very weak point though.

At least i haven't got to do history or p.e. now that really would stop me going.

DH has a 1st class maths degree, maybe I can persuade him to do your homework for you ;)

ahem
history?

was your education no good int hat area?
actuall y think you had dobbo didnt you?

You may regret telling me that Soupy

Coddy - I had Mrs Ayres for history. She was o.k I just don't like History, find it boring.

My favourite lesson was English

with her baseball boots?

Nutty, I have said this before to you I know, and clearly I am biased.

Access to nursing courses are good for getting into nursing, but in terms of experience there is nothing comparable to working as a HCA. Most private residential care homes are really flexible and crying out for workers. Ring every single one in the phone book. Night shifts are often 10-7, which means you have time to get in sort the kids out sleep and pick them up from school, after 6mths you are eligible for your NVQ and any decent care home will pay for that for you. The best student nurses I have worked with are those that have worked within care before even if its just for one day a week for a couple of months.

Nursing is a tiring and difficult job. You will be expected to work 37.5hrs a week when you are on placement, and whilst they are sympathetic to childcare needs and they are not going to run the rota around you. You will be expected to work earlies, lates, nights and weekends. This course will be good practice for getting used to an inconviened lifestyle, IMO working as a HCA would be even better. Best of both worlds would be doing this course maybe doing 2 nights a week within a care home. Many offer full training and its free.

I think if you really really want this you will do it, if you don't you won't, i would sit down and think very very carefully about if this is what you want. If it is then go out and see what the job is really like, and then go ahead and apply for your diploma. Its worth baring in mind that currently many unis don't accept application for children's nursing from people who don't have direct childcare experience just because its such a popular course.

Just my thoughts! Good luck whatever you chose, and I hope it works out. I plan to study nursing in september 2005 so maybe we will qualify at the same time!

Hi Jenni, haven't seen you around for a while.

TBH I wouldn't really like to work in a old peoples home as thats not what I want to do.
I know I would have to do it as part of my 12mths core subject training but I could just about cope with that.

I have tried to look today for something i could do to get some experiance but can't seem to find anything.

Hope you get to do your course, you'd make a great nurse

nutty, i will have to get TWO buses (in the cold and rain!) to do the course, i will have to rush around in the morning, of course it would be easier to get a lift but just because your mate cant take you doesnt mean you should give up before its even started. if its being on your own your worried about then meet me before 10am and well go in together, think how proud your kids will be when they tell everyone that thier mummy is a nurse!

LIVE TO REGRET THE THINGS YOU DID DO RATHER THAN THE THINGS YOU DIDNT!!

bloody hell girl u live closer to the college than me!!!!
no excuses, ill make sure u complete this course this time xx

I know i'm nuts.

Meeting before we go in would be great thanks.

i take it your going to give it a go then? if its too much then at least you have tried eh?

Nutty I do not plan to work in elderly care either, but as an adult nurse I know that I probably will because well, we are all getting older! I don't mind it really, its not as bad as people think I find, although at the moment I work with younger people in general!

Other care facilities are -
mental health facilities, day centres for people with learning disabilities, residential homes for the physically or mentally disabled. Ring your local hospital about bank nursing (as a HCA obviously) Go to the job centre as well, there are always loads of care home jobs.
Maybe also enquire about volunteering at hospices, play centres etc basically anything where you are involved in the care of others.

Personally I started out in carehomes for the elderly because it was the easiest job to find! I rang up somewhere and started about a week later.

What branch of nursing do you want to enter?

If you are struggeling with making a commitment to a few hours a week, how do you feel you will cope doing a full time university course that will be a lot more demanding? I certainly think you have the passion and the drive which goes a long way and I am sure you would make a great nurse!