*** NURSING STUDENTS *** How many of you had experience before doing the access or degree/diploma courses ?

[NomDePlume]

I'm supposed to start a nursing related access course in September. Just re-reading over the small print in the entry requirements for the diploma course I plan to use the access course for and it states "Plus - evidence of direct care relevant to Adult, Mental Health, Learning Disabilities or Child Branch choice (excluding family and friends)" . How many of you mature nursing students got a university place without the experience ?

I know that in theory my CV would benefit from a 12 month stint as a HCA on wards would boost my chances of getting a place on the course of my choice, but the shifts are awful and it would put my studies back another year.

sorry for the crappola grammar . Post was a bit of a brain-spill.

i didnt have any clinical experience, but i did attend a domestic violence information session run by womens aid and was a homestart volunteer for a little while. The womens aid thing really proved to be a talking point in my interview.

my friend from college though had not done any kind of work health related but put on her Personal statement that she intended to arrange some "shadowing" of her local practice nurse.
she got a place, although she has not arranged the placement!

which uni is it?

also, it goes without saying that the fact that you can juggle a college course and homelife as a mum, works well in your favour. thats the imnpression that i got from my interviewers anyway.

I'd like to think that my experience as a parent will be valued by the powers that be.

The university will be University of Worcester (only very recently got full Uni status). It's a Diploma course, not the degree route.

even if you only do something for a short while - just to put on your PS. would it be difficult for you to volunteer at a hospital for a couple of hours a week?

my uni said that aslong as you had something on your PS that showed that you understood the role of someone in a caring capacity then you would be considered for interview.

I have worked in the NHS for most of my working life in a number of roles, however, none of them have been patient-facing, IYSWIM.

Voluntary wouldn't be difficult at all, DD is at nursery 2 mornings and 2 full days a week and the teaching hospital is 3 mins walk from my house (literally).

contact the volunteer co-ordinator at the hospital, various hospitals differ with how many hours they want you to give each week, but its generally around 2/3 hours.

that is a fantastic idea, tiredemma . Thanks !

good luck!!

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They asked me specifically for experience, most of the mature students on my course have experience, it seems to only be the 18 year olds straight out of school they don't expect experience from...

This may be a bit rude but you have to work shifts as a student nurse so working as an auxilliary could be good for you to get used to it? You could maybe work on the bank?

Volunteering is a good idea too...even going into old peoples homes would be good enough, just something to show that you can work with people and are commited!

I got onto an access course having no experience at all

Good Luck!

I realise that shift work is part and parcel of a nursing career, but atm shift work would make life very awkward indeed. I've tried to phone the volunteer co-ordinator today, but she is on holiday.

oh good, is the hospital the new one in worcester?

I didnt want to take on shift work while doing college work as i wanted to focus on my studies first to ensure that i actually got a place!!

let me know how it goes with the co-ordinator
x

I had a few months working in a nursing home and then a couple of months working for an agency. Though they didn't seem bothered at the interview about it

I would say they really would hope you had some experience. I did even when applying at 18, 18 months in a residential home, relevant A levels and 6 months hospital experience (all part time work though) And even then I got turned for two of the places I applied to.

Shift work is awful, but it always will be awful untill you get used to it. IMO you will probably need to take the plunge and give it a try. Drop out rates are high, which is probably another reason why they want to see you have 'tried it out'. Also, you will be working shifts as of September during placements. It would have been a complete shock to me not to have known what the work would be like at the same time as undergoing an intense time of learning.

HTH and I don't sound too negative!!

hi...i had no experience other than working with homeless people when i started my nursing. its not necessary. now, i'm approaching the end of my training and am having my first baby in august.

Sorry, just typed another respomse to this and then my pc crapped out and I lost it

Thanks for all these extra posts, they are v helpful.

Tiredemma - Yes, it'll be the Worcestershire Royal, which is great as they have lots of new equipment etc. Although, I've spoken to a number of the staff there (everyone from canteen staff to consultants) and the vast majority say that they preferred working in the old hospital [slightly confused emoticon]

I do have experience of the NHS. I worked in an admin role (I ran the Dietetic clinic, the Cytology clinic and the Diabetic clinic) at a GP surgery. I have also woked in the NHS as an MLA in Biochemistry, which was fab but not well paid at all. So despite having 2+ years of NHS experience, it is likely to be worth nada on an application because it was not patient-facing (IYSWIM), bit depressing really.

I know DH would like to me to bite the bullet and take on a p/t HCA role, partly because it would give me the vocational experience I need (and also help me be sure that nursing is the route for me), but mainly because it would bring and extra few quid into the house (albeit a meagre sum).

I have spoken to DH about it and I'm going to get an application pack from my local hospital for a p/t HCA post. DD is at nursery 4 days a week and I can juggle those sessions if I need to. The plan is to do the HCA job until I can start my Access course in Sept, in theory it sounds do-able so long as the shift patterns make sense (or if I can persuade them to fiddle them around to accommodate me)....

I keep seeing this thread title and thinking it's a really extended bfeeding one...

NDP I think the hospitals are quite flexible for the HCAs if you request only shirt shifts they are usually 7-3 or 1-8, I know loads of mums work as HCAs and they balance it ok .

It really is fantastic experience and gives you a great feel for ward life (makes uni life much easier), it is also a great opportunity to learn, most of the nurses i have met are fantastic and enuthusiastic teachers. I think it is also the best way to see if it is right for you. My first day as a care assistant I was SOOOOO nervous but after I week I knew this was right for me and it still is. Its completely different to what you expect though!!

Don't discount your NHS experience, just woking in the system is good experience. Good luck! x

I think you're doing the right thing.