Very mature student - radiography.

louloubelle79

Yeah you get 25% discount off council tax if live with someone or exempt if live alone or with other stduents.

suffolkb

Thanks for the replies. I live alone. At present I am out of work and there isn`t much out here. So I really have a choice of moving or training to do the work there is. I`m used to studying as I almost have a maths degree with the ou (1/2 credit to go). Def going to chase this up next week.Also, from my time at the hospital, I think that I would really enjoy the course and then the job.

elliethecat

Hi there - based on my own experience, which is admittedly in nursing, I would say go for it. I had wanted to train as a nurse for a good number of years but, as a single parent with one child and very little in the way of support, the placement hours would have been impossible. So - I waited until my son was old enough to fend for himself, which coincided with me being made redundant and enrolled on a diploma/degree course. The age range on the course was really mixed, from about 18-55 I think, and I graduated last September. At no time during the course was I aware that the older students were at an disadvantage, either in uni or on placements, and all the age groups seemed to mix in well.

I am now rapidly moving towards the end of my 40's (well-never ask a lady her real age!) and was worried that this might make getting a job difficult as nursing jobs are pretty tight at the moment. However, I'm really pleased to say that I was successful at my second interview (although did apply for 15 other jobs which did not result in an interview). At my first interview I was left with a suspicion that my age might be a factor and it was mentioned, albeit in a roundabout way, several times. However it was clearly not an issue at the second interview.

I have noticed that the majority of the mature students in my group now have jobs, unlike many of my younger fellow-students but I'm sure it has a lot to do with how you sell yourself, something which people with more life experience are more likely to be good at as they've had more practice. For example, I wanted to work in an operating theatre so I emphasised my ability to keep calm in a crisis, good communication and time management skills, finally being free of family responsibility and my ability able to pursue my own work interests etc., etc.

I too received a bursary but also supplemented this by working as an auxillary nurse with the Nurse bank. I think most, if not all hospitals have a nurse bank so if you could stand the work, this might be an option for yourself and it would give you greater insight into hospital life (assuming, that is, that you're not working in one now!)

I'm really pleased that I changed my career as I'm much happier in my work now - I also enjoyed the course (well most of it anyway) and have made some lovely friends and colleagues along the way. So - go for it if you really want to do it - you are NOT too old!

suffolkb

I have been advised to take an access course in health/social care first and have my interview for this later this morning. It seems that the interview process could take 2 hours. Seems pretty thorough, but I suppose this might include being shown around the place.
No sign of my A level certificates. Surely they won`t expect to see them (taken 1972), but I do have my OU results. Wish me luck.

DrFluffy

Good luck!!!

REmember how much you want this when exam time comes round!!! !!!

Oldernotwiser

suffolkb wrote: »

I have been advised to take an access course in health/social care first and have my interview for this later this morning. It seems that the interview process could take 2 hours. Seems pretty thorough, but I suppose this might include being shown around the place.
No sign of my A level certificates. Surely they won`t expect to see them (taken 1972), but I do have my OU results. Wish me luck.

Who's advised you to do the Access course? Was it the Access tutors or the Radiography tutors? You already have a degree (well almost) so an Access course seems strange.. Make sure they're not just getting you to do this to make up their numbers.

suffolkb

It was the tutor for the radiography course that suggested the access course. I think it`s a good idea though as my A`s were 35 years ago and I didn`t do biology. The access course is at a different college so it`s not to make up the numbers. The interview went well and I start in September. Other modules include sociology, physiology and psychology - & I have never done these either.

Oldernotwiser

Obviously if the radiography tutors want an Access course then you'll have to do it, it just seems really strange when you've got a degree already. The question of your "A" Levels doesn't come into it really.
All the best for the future.

mummytofour

I am suprised that you need to do access having been doing an OU degree.
However i can understand that maybe you are short of recent science study?
Good luck anyway.

suffolkb

Yes, very short on science. No biology since `O level in 1970 and all my OU courses are in maths. The college tutor gave me details of where other students have gone after this course. Cardiology looks interesting, and I`m looking at that as well.