Nursing and midwifery student parent applicants here!

[LumpenproletariatAndProud]

So Ive finally found some others in the same boat!

My interview with Brighton uni is in December so Im revising my arse off, I haven't written an essay for 5 years!

Good luck to other applicants!

I got in!

I have a conditional acceptance, so as long as I pass my HNC I have a place.

I am so relieved, had convinced myself I wouldn't get in!

Well done Red Button! Great news. Good luck with the rest of your course.

Just read this thread from start to finish, you lot are so inspiring! Trying to get some work experience with the hospital and enrolling on some short DLC courses as evidence of recent study right now before I take the plunge and apply for 2016 entry, once my youngest dd starts school. I must be mad but can't wait to take the plunge. Good luck everyone.

Exciting CrazyCat. Good luck hope it all goes well. I'm very excited to be starting Midwifery in September - all being well.

What course are you wanting to do?

Anyone doing access and know they are going to be short on distinctions?

Well, I'm baaaaack!

Was the OP now on a name change as I really do Hate Stampys Voice.

SO while you guys are gearing up to start your courses, I'm gearing up to reapply!
I've been volunteering in an amazing school for severely mentally and physically disabled children - which I absolutely LOVE.

My best friend died very recently, if it was taught be anything it's that I shouldn't 'limit' the amount of times I apply for nursing, on the contrary I should keep applying again and again until I achieve my goal because life is not there to give in to failure. Something my best friend never, ever did. She was an achiever and she supported me hugely in the last two applications so I want to keep going as she always did with her own life goals.

I got great feedback last year so I know where I went 'wrong' I also know I didn't get in but two mere points, I know the interview process now so I, a step ahead of myself from last year. I've widened my volunteer experience which happens to be at a school where they put student nurse placements and I've got an amazing book that talks you through all the processes which give excellent tips (right down to simple stuff, such as taking off all jewelry in the interview - something I never did - doh) and another really good tips.

SO. Bring on September for all of us.

Hello OP! Glad someone came back to the thread, I returned just to see how everyone else was getting on.

Sorry to hear about your friend and glad you have managed to hold onto her positive attitude. You sound so passionate and that is bound to shine through in your application and interview.

I think work experience was what helped me the most, you learn so much from being hands on and when you speak about your practice it comes out much more naturally than just discussing knowledge you've gained from books or college. Your work placement sounds fantastic with lots of scope for learning and new experiences.

I passed my HNC Social Care so my conditional offer has been accepted and I start first year in September- I feel like I should be doing lots to prepare, but I'm not sure what! My college work placement have added me to their full time pay roll over the summer so I am still gaining experience but I feel like I should be doing something else.

Good luck with your application, keep us posted on how the process goes

How is everyone doing?

Red Button - when do you start your course?

I'm starting my Midwifery course on Monday but have no idea where and what my timetable is. I've just been told we'll be in 9-4 everyday.

I'm getting really nervous now!

How's it going this week Chuck?
What uni are you at again? (op on another name change here!)

I'm still waiting for a decision from my uni but I looked back on last year and so didn't hear from them until December so I'm just waiting now.

Oh I take it back, my interview was in December.

Hmm perhaps I better keep tracking then!

Hi everyone. I am into week 4 now, how are you all getting on?

*Chuck, are you really in 9-4 every day? I am in 9-4 every Tuesday and alternate Mondays, then only a couple of hours on a Friday. I don't feel like it's much at all.

So far have only had one practical session in a skills lab, the rest have been lectures.
I'm finding it hard to adjust to the huge class sizes and just listening to someone lecture for hours, as opposed to a class where you engage with each other. It's quite tiring.

Tiffany I wouldn't worry about that, I didn't hear anything until February after I applied. Are you still volunteering? How is it going?

Yeah, I've been in most days - have had a couple of study days but it's quite full on. Have done 2 days in clinical skills lab doing blood pressure, urinalysis abdominal palpation things like that.

I'm out in the community from tomorrow for 4 weeks then 2 weeks in the birth centre then back into uni for 4 weeks. All very exciting. Got a couple of very short essays to write due in the next few weeks too but nothing too worrying.

Tiffany, good luck I hope you get your interview soon and that they remember you from last year so they know how much you want this!

Red button when do you start your clinical placement?

Can't believe I've only just found this thread!

I've just began a midwifery degree, loving it but there is so much to take in!

I'd prefer to be in more I think. I feel like I'm not doing very much at all and I'm eager to get stuck in. Can't believe how much you have done in your skills labs as well. I had another session in there on Friday, but they have both only been an hour long and covered some basic moving and handling, handwashing and then feeding each other yoghurt and brushing each others' teeth. We also had a short talk on how to work the bed controls amd bed rails.
Don't get me wrong, I am really enjoying it, but four weeks in and it seems a little slow. We don't start placement till the end of November and haven't been told where we're going yet!

Hello Lj, congratulations on getting onto the midwifery course. How are you enjoying it so far?

Really enjoying it thank you! We have done a lot of sitting down and not feeling a bit lost, but we start clinical skills next week so I'm sure it will all start to click then.

How are you finding balancing studying with family life? I haven't found it a massive issue yet but I'm lucky in that dh has gone part time to be at home with dd so we have no childcare worries.

I think the clinical skills make it seem more real? Also looking forward to getting my uniform in a couple of weeks time.

Its a bit tiring, more so because I have 75 minute drive in the morning to get there, and anything upwards of 45 minutes to get home in the evening (traffic adds to the time in the morning). Have managed to find a childminder for DS and mum and dad have been supportive and had him overnight when I need to be out really early in the morning so not too stressful so far, the holidays will be more difficult though. We are not off at the same times as school so will need to pay childminder all day.

How are you finding the workload for what you are expected to do at home?

Not too bad, but I know it's going to get a lot harder very quickly. I have about a 75 min journey to uni too, but my placement locality is about 20 mins away so that will be much easier!

My problem is motivating myself to do study on my self managed study days, there's so much to distract myself with at home!

Ah, my locality is made up of lots of rural towns and villages, so most of my placements will also require travel. I don't mind that though, travelling to bigger hospitals will hopefully mean that I see and learn more than I would in a quiet community hospital.

I'm not finding the home study too difficult at the minute. I'm quite motivated that way and like reading and writing about things. Finding the time is a poblem though, especially when I have a six year old wanting my attention!

A bit exhausted today, theres tension starting between class members and groups alreay, I don't like that!

Thanks *Redbuttonhole" did you send your application off in September (last year)?

I sent it off as soon as I could.

I'm no longer volunteering. I loved it so much I applied for a full time position and I'm currently on my lunch break .

No, I can't remember exactly when I sent it, it was quite late on. I know others who sent theirs before they even started the access course and wete still waiting a while to hear though, so don't worry.

That's brilliant about your job well done you. You must be getting lots of experience

Got an interview, so brushing up and starting this all over again!

I may start a new thread in case there's new applicants as this looks as though it's definitely just me.

Congratulations Tiffany when is your interview?

25th November. I hope my extra experience with work, knowledge of the interview and feedback from last year helps me.

I'll report back in a few weeks and let you know if so got on!

Hello there, I am rather thrilled to find this thread. I hope there are still some people about to talk to!

I currently considering a massive career change to mental health nursing. It would mean a drop in earnings and is completely different to what I do now, so I am half thinking I might be crazy even considering it. But it has been nagging at me for ages now that this is what I would really like to be doing.

My current plan is to apply for Jan 2016 intake of the PgDip at Southampton (the only uni that does it I can commute to). I've spoken to admissions and they have said that I'm fine to apply even though my BA and MA are not in remotely relevant subjects, though I need to top up with an a-level as my MA was 5 years ago and I need to have studied in the last 4 years. I've decided to self study a psychology a-level as this is all I can really manage in the time available while working full-time and looking after a 3 year old.

I'm also trying to get some volunteer work, but am finding it really hard to get something that will fit round work, family and studying. My time is pretty packed out as it is! I saw up thread that some people have volunteered at care homes, there are a few near me, did you just phone up and ask whether they needed anyone? Any other ideas for places I could approach would be really appreciated.

I was also thinking of asking about to see if I could shadow someone in the sector a bit. I could use some leave for this. Has anyone done this at all?

I'm a Nursing student too. :)