anyone doing the access to nursing course?

[hazel0]

I'm a single mum planning to do the 'access to health and social science' course in September. I've heard it's really intense, but would rather get it done, out of the way, in a year so am planning to go full time. Is it really as hard as they say? Do you think I'll cope with the work and being a full time mum at the same time?
Any advice would be much appreciated. Thanks.xx

hi hazel

there are a few on mn, just bumping for you

i think nondeplume is one, although im not sure if shes started it yet or not

Hi Hazel

I start an Access course in Sept. I have actually been accepted onto 2 courses (one was a deferred place from last year). One of the courses is Access to Caring Professions, the other is Access to Radiography. I'm pretty sure I'm going to do the Caring Professions one, so that I can go into nursing, though the idea od Radiography is also v tempting (but the course is 25 miles away on busy motorway, nightmare commute).

From what I understand the Access course will keep you (us) pretty busy, but I'm fairly sure it'll be manageable (for me, anyway). Well, I hope so because I assume the degree/diploma course will be more intense and I'm hoping to cope ok with that !

It's hard to say how you'll cope with it without actually knowing you, what support you have around you and how you are academically. I have 3 kids (all of whom will be school age when I start) and a DH who works full time in a stressful job and is often away. I do wonder how I'm going to juggle it, especially when I'm on placement and doing shifts, but if I thought like that all the time I'd end up at home forever.

lots of luck when sept arrives NdeP! im sure you will really enjoy it, whichever course you decide upon.

NP, you are to become my coursework Oracle

have you any idea what you would like to do at the end of the course? adult nursing? anything you are even vaguely interested in specifically?

you are to become my protege

Adult nursing, maybe HDU/ITU, interested in the Theatre side of things too. I guess I will have to see how I get on in placements, I may find that the things I thought would be the least appealing (community stuff, geriatrics) are actually perfect for me.

me, donbean and flossam will all tell you ITU! ITU! ITU!

theatre i think would be good too, you could do day surgery which may fit it better with being a mum

but thats a long way off. the course is fun as well as hard work, i cant wait to hear how you get on

well its not THAT long a way off

I'm really excited, can't wait to get stuck in. It feels like I've procrastinated for far too long.

The hugely appealing thing about nursing is that is so varied and flexible. I can move ANYWHERE in the world and still do my job, it's one of the few remaining 'jobs for life'

yes i used it ot my advantage and worked in new zealand for a while

not that much was different

except you could sunbathe on your teabreak

lol. Do you think you'll go back to it when the girls are older, np ?

I have started and dropped out of the access course 3 twice now for various reasons.

I think as long as you are organised you'll be fine.

I am hoping to one day go back to it but we shall see.

no dont think so ndp (to nursing or NZ?)

I had childcare problems, which was why I had to defer my Radiography place last year, but DD starts primary school in Sept (already?!) so I won't have to pay for the long days of nursery care, which will take the pressure off considerably.

(nursing) Have CAT'ed you to save Hazel's thread !

ok cool

hazel, im in the second year of my access course, im just doing an assignment at the mo so will post loads more info tomorrow!!!.....but it is good- best thing i ever did!

hi hazel- i chose to do my access course over two years as i also work part time, so i have attended college 1 day a week since sept 04. Its not a walk in the park, some assignments have made me feel like banging my head against the wall, but its also not as hard as i thought it was going to be.

I really dont know about the course full-time, i imagine that the workload would be quite intense. It depends how much time you can commit outside of college to studying at home.

which college are you going to?

I did the access to nursing, now in my first year on the Nursing Degree.
Have to say that the access was easy when I look back, although at the time I thought it was tough, its nothing compared to the degree!
I am on my second placement at the moment working in the community, loving every minute.

Just look at the threads of me and sallystrawberry moaning about our assignments and panicking about hand in dates.

Good luck in all you do

Thanks guys! will probably need your help again soon
i'm going to llanelli college (graig)
i'll start full-time and see how it goes.
xx