Access to Nursing and Health Proffessions

RL62010

I applied for the Access to Nursing and Health Proffessions course last year but only recieved a reply 2 weeks ago asking me to go for numeracy and literacy tests. I went to the college this week to do a numeracy and literacy test and was told I now have to wait for an interview. Why is that?
Also if I do get on the access course and complete it what is envolved after that and how long does it take to become a fully qualified Midwife?

RedSoleShoes

Sorry to sound harsh but I don't understand why you have got so far as applying for an Access course and you don't even know what is involved in that let alone a Midwifery qualification that you supposedly want to go for. And why haven't you chased it up if you applied last year??!!!

Put 'nursing and midwifery' in google and you will get all the info you need.

kingfisherblue

I agree with Lily - if you intend to follow a particular career, you should at least be able to find out the basics without asking others. Nurses and midwives often need to follow their own initiative - you need to learn how to do this.

Sorry if this is not what you wanted to hear.

heretolearn_2

The numeracy and literacy tests were presumably because you do not have GCSEs in maths and English, so they need to see if you are at an appropriate standard.

You have an interview so they can see if you are worth offering a place on the course to. Access courses are not automatic - you don't get a place just by applying - you have to win your place on it. If you go in not knowing what the course is about, how it fits into your career plans, or anything about the career you want, you won't get on the course. If I were you I'd start doing lots of research and go in keen as mustard, if you are really serious about this of course.

Morgan_Ree

RL62010 wrote: »

I applied for the Access to Nursing and Health Proffessions course last year but only recieved a reply 2 weeks ago asking me to go for numeracy and literacy tests. I went to the college this week to do a numeracy and literacy test and was told I now have to wait for an interview. Why is that?
Also if I do get on the access course and complete it what is envolved after that and how long does it take to become a fully qualified Midwife?

Erm because applying for an access course is not the same as being offered a place

A few people I know who have done this course have spend 2 years doing it
Whether this is full time or part time I don't know

If you pass the access course you'll then need to apply for university
Midwifery is fiercely competative so you better make sure you get glowing references and an excellent personal statement
Some places require you to sit an entry test before they'll even offer you an interview
If you manage to get through all that and are offered an interview, make yourself stand out
Read up on lots of current issues etc

IF then you're lucky enough to get offered a place, the course is 3 years long on a full time basis

So all in all you're looking at about 5 years of studying from when you get on the access course
Still interested?

Do you have any healthcare experience?
If not I'd suggest getting a p/t HCA/MCA jib whilst doing the access course
This experience should help when it comes to applying for uni

bezzza

I have worked within a university department dealing solely in health profession courses previously and I am sorry to have to tell you that due to your lack of qualifications and experience you will find it very difficult to gain a place at university on a midwifery course due to the incredibly high demand for places even for students with A Levels and extensive experience. Whilst the demand is high for qualified midwives there are just not enough university spaces available. Have you considered maybe child nursing or another branch that has more places with lower expectancies? Sorry to sound harsh but I would have thought if you had researched the career more fully you would be aware of what is required and expected? Maybe you need to contact a careers advisor or attend open days at the local university where you can speak to tutors and students - the university I worked for ran them every 1-2 months - they can offer advice, discuss course content and future opportunities on courses (although I know there is currently a 2 year waiting list). Good luck!

kingfisherblue

heretolearn wrote: »

The numeracy and literacy tests were presumably because you do not have GCSEs in maths and English, so they need to see if you are at an appropriate standard.

Several professions give tests in literacy and numeracy, even if aplicants have GCSEs to grade C or above. Primary teaching is one example.

snapping_crocodile

bezzza wrote: »

Whilst the demand is high for qualified midwives there are just not enough university spaces available. Have you considered maybe child nursing or another branch that has more places with lower expectancies? Sorry to sound harsh but I would have thought if you had researched the career more fully you would be aware of what is required and expected? Good luck!

Just to say that the expectations of nursing courses, at least here, are exactly the same as midwifery courses. There are equally few places and hundreds of applicants, and I know this year the uni are actually cutting the number of places for adult nurse students. When I started my training 9 years ago there were hundreds of applicants for each of the 13 paediatric student nurse places :eek:

To the OP I agree with others that you probably should have done a bit more research first before applying. However good luck with your chosen path. Are you working currently? If not it may be an idea to try and find a job in the caring profession, particularly if you could find a vacancy for health care support worked on a maternity ward, or even a children's ward (though I know these are few and far between *eyes roll*). Although academic ability is important, so is some experience as it demonstrates that you have an awareness of what we be expected of you in that role. Good luck