Family, unemployed, going back to college?

princessdon

personally I would never advise a pre nursing course

Far too limited in case of change of mind.

I'd always advise to do an access course consisting of English/Maths (depending on if you have those) followed by biology and a pyschology if you can avoid 1 of the english/maths.

Much more open options at the end if you change mind and if you don't still acceptable on nursing and social care programmes

But ... I only know what our local college offers.

Purplekylie22

That's a good point Princess thank you, I will certainly consider it and add it to the list to speak my the adviser about!

debrag

a general access to HE is a good bet

Anubis_2

Dunroamin wrote: »

Most mature students in your situation look at doing a one year Access course as a preparation for university, rather than a two year course.

Your husband would be able to carry on claiming JSA while you study with all the associated benefits you get now.

If means tested, (which it would be after 6 months of CB), I was under the impression that student loans/grants may be classed as income - is this not the case anymore, or just different rules for Scotland?

Dunroamin

Anubis wrote: »

If means tested, (which it would be after 6 months of CB), I was under the impression that student loans/grants may be classed as income - is this not the case anymore, or just different rules for Scotland?

The OP won't get any grants and loans while doing an Access course.

24skins

Purplekylie22 wrote: »

Really nice idea Smuchkinp, but it wont work for me:
"To study the CPCAB Level 4 Diploma course you need to have completed the CPCAB Level 2 Certificate in Counselling Skills or its equivalent, plus the CPCAB Level 3 Certificate in Counselling Studies or its equivalent, such as the OU’s Introduction to counselling (D171), followed by a successful interview with the training provider. This qualification is limited to areas where the CPCAB courses are delivered, so you should check the CPCAB website to ensure the CPCAB courses are available in your area before beginning to study this qualification." Aside from not having the pre-qualifactions i also dont have a CPCAB center near my at all

Debrag, I saw those course at The University of Aberdeen and they do have biology although not the same thing, it could be used as a possaility maybe? I will just have to see what the careers advisor tells me. I could be lucky and get straight onto the Access, I guess I just wont know until I can see them and ask. They also have an open day in November so I can go to that as well after talking to the adviser.

I'm on my way out & saw your thread - Just a couple of points while I'm passing through & sorry for poor grammar etc

1) the Aberdeen College Access to Nursing course no longer qualifies for entry to Midwifery, it used to (my niece took this route), but apparently this changed in 2011 - if you want to go into midwifery you'll need advice from the college on which courses you need to take.

2) Aberdeen uni runs an access course where you sit short courses that are the equivalent of highers - this can be done over 6 months, 1 year or 2 years dependent on how many you need & how much time you have (this is the route I took, I had two Highers at A grade but required 4 for my course, I sat two p/t over one year). I'm sure RGU do something similar. Aberdeen College also offer some Highers on a part time basis and some courses are available in community settings, such as local libraries or community centres.

3) GSCEs aren't exactly equivalent to Standard Grades and A levels aren't equivalent to Highers - you may find you're more qualified than you realise & it's worth seeking advice about this

recoverydust

practical suggestion
make friends with a couple of mums at your childs nursery - its a good idea- their children will grow up with yours, so that you can build a relationship where you could offer to babysit/collect from school/have round to tea/take care of in a reciprocal way.
Thats what my friends and I did in the 80's when there was no subsidised childcare and an equal emphasis on getting parents back to work and training.

scottishgirl001

@ Purplekylie22

What did you decide to do?! x