Mummy students?

twinmumagain

Theres some really handy info in this post from people so thank you.
I'm a married mum of 5 school age children who is planning on the nursing degree in 2014. I've enrolled in college from September for the access to nursing and midwifery after being out of education since 1998.
Everywhere I have read advice says that you do need a very good support network, especially if you have a family too. My folks are totally amazing and are that excited to have a daughter who will finally go to university they are willing to help me out a fair bit as my husband works long hours(anything from 8.30 - 22.00, 7 days a week).
Financially its going to be very hard as I will have to pay for some after/before school clubs and childminding for my younger 2 as my parents can only help out so much but as we currently only have my part time wage(I will have to quit to study) and husbands full time wage coming in, we shall definitely be better off in say 5 years time.

I wish you all the best in your future plans and I hope we both succeed

twinmumagain

flea72 wrote: »

12 lol, more like 50!

I did access course last year. There were about 60 women who wanted to become midwives and only 6 got accepted at uni (thats with 2 local unis offering the course)

Most changed plans mid course, due to competition and have now gone into paediatric or adult nursing degrees, with the hope they can do the cross-over to midwifery at some time in the future

Any ideas what its like for aduly nursing? The thought of doing the access course and not even getting a place at university pains me
I would have to study something else to keep my brain motivated and hope for the best for 2015 I suppose.

Girlzmum

I started my access course (2 year part time) when my eldest was 5 months, completed that just after she turned 2 and applied to do nursing in uni but found I was pregnant with youngest so when offered a place I deferred entry until she was 8 months old.

I'll be completely honest, check the finances seriously hard before you start - not sure where in the country you are but I know in Northern Ireland students were not entitled to any help with childcare costs (as far as I know it is available for the rest of the UK) in order to qualify for help through child tax credits I was told I needed to work for a minimum of 16 hours on top of uni work and placements, I had one in full time child care and one in part time so my childcare cost over £700 per month and the bursary gave me a whole £500! You are on full time placements from the start so 37 1/2 hours per week and some ward managers can be very funny about students coming in and saying "I need every Saturday off to go to work." I remember people saying to me "I don't know how you're doing it." I didn't know either, I just got on with it and tried not to think too much about it or I'd have freaked out! My husband was amazing and supported me completely, he stepped in so much and I honestly couldn't have done it without him.

That being said, it was the best decision I have ever made - yes, I struggled at times over the 3 years, I was so stressed in final year that my husband and I almost split up BUT I qualified 3 years ago and I absolutely love my job.

Good luck with the studying, relax and enjoy it - the time will fly by very quickly!

twinmumagain

Girlzmum wrote: »

I started my access course (2 year part time) when my eldest was 5 months, completed that just after she turned 2 and applied to do nursing in uni but found I was pregnant with youngest so when offered a place I deferred entry until she was 8 months old.

I'll be completely honest, check the finances seriously hard before you start - not sure where in the country you are but I know in Northern Ireland students were not entitled to any help with childcare costs (as far as I know it is available for the rest of the UK) in order to qualify for help through child tax credits I was told I needed to work for a minimum of 16 hours on top of uni work and placements, I had one in full time child care and one in part time so my childcare cost over £700 per month and the bursary gave me a whole £500! You are on full time placements from the start so 37 1/2 hours per week and some ward managers can be very funny about students coming in and saying "I need every Saturday off to go to work." I remember people saying to me "I don't know how you're doing it." I didn't know either, I just got on with it and tried not to think too much about it or I'd have freaked out! My husband was amazing and supported me completely, he stepped in so much and I honestly couldn't have done it without him.

That being said, it was the best decision I have ever made - yes, I struggled at times over the 3 years, I was so stressed in final year that my husband and I almost split up BUT I qualified 3 years ago and I absolutely love my job.

Good luck with the studying, relax and enjoy it - the time will fly by very quickly!

I'm so glad it worked out well for you
Can I ask...... is placement from the off? I understood if didnt start until second year? I'm in Leicester, Midlands if thats of any relevance.

(sorry to highjack the thread too lol!!)

hippychick1

Hi,

I have just returned home from my graduation ceremony, after qualifying as an adult nurse!! I did it as a single parent to three young children. Yes it is hard work, but so, so worth it. I studied at Coventry university, and our course worked out as having the first three months at uni then a couple of months placement, then back to uni for a couple of months, then back on placement. Definitely not starting in the second year! You really need the hands on experience as soon as possible. I really would go for it, I love my job, and feel so lucky to have been able to study for it.

flea72

twinmumagain wrote: »

Any ideas what its like for aduly nursing? The thought of doing the access course and not even getting a place at university pains me
I would have to study something else to keep my brain motivated and hope for the best for 2015 I suppose.

The numbers are still high, but nursing isnt just about the grades. personality is a big consideration, so if you get offered an interview you have to sell yourself. That aside, mature students are looked on favourably in nursing roles, as life experience is worth alot.

Unless you already work in the field, then i would recommend getting a decent amount of work experience. Due to the monetary investment by the nhs, they want to know people arent going to drop out, so proving you know whats expected of the role and not being all rose tinted about things, is another plus point. Youd be surprised how many people think holby/casualty is what its like working in a hospital. all interesting cases and no patients being sick down you and pooing in their beds (and thats the nicer things)

gunsandbanjos

I graduated last year with a first class honours in Mathematics.

I was a working mum while doing my degree and honestly it wasn't too bad, being organised is the key!

*depressed*

I am a full time student, my little boy was 4 months when I started the course, I have just over one full year left.

I would say the problems I experienced was trying to find the time to do the extra study but also most of my class mates are single 18 year olds, we have been set a lot of group work and its been difficult for me to organise to meet with the classmates as my spare time is when the little one is in bed, but this is their social life time!

Also to plan ahead, way ahead, you can guarentee the time your close to a deadline you will have a poorly sick child etc!

Its totally worth it though, I love my uni days, going out and learning something new, hot coffee and just being 'me' for a few hours is amazing!

It can't be too bad as I am considering doing my masters

xxx

Keli

I would love to study to be a midwife

Keli

My sister starts uni next year doing an access course as she is a dental nurse at present