Mature Student and DMP

braken2000

Thanks for that :-). Hearing from current students always make me want to do it more!

I did think about bank work and came to the one day a week conclusion too. Although getting onto bank as a radiographer might be tricky compared to as an ODP I would reckon. Not even thought about Ncl as an option so will look into that :-)

asparagus1968

I have never come across an unqualified bank radiographer?
Newcastle and Leeds, Cumbria and Central Lancs all have good Nursing courses.
Leave London until you have qualified, have less debt etc.

moohound

Any bank work would be as a band 2 healthcare support worker, you would not get work as an ODP until you qualified, we have lots of band 2s in theatres who do the circulating role and help in recovery to move patients back to wards etc, so you could still do bank work even if you don't want to work on a ward.

Also when you go on placement the staff will know you and you will be more familiar with the clinical areas.

It is good experience as well as you get to know how the hospital 'works'

blueneleh

I am a nurse and trained and worked in London for 13 years.
Yes, it's a great social life and I worked in some great hospitals BUT it is sooo expensive to live there, as you can probably imagine.
Rent for a start off is extortionate compared to other places and that's without catering in costs of bills, going out, food etc.
If you only have your bursary to live on (and any bank shifts worked as previously mentioned) I would seriously consider whether London is the best option.
Good luck though with whatever choice you make!

braken2000

Thanks once again everyone. Lots of food for thought.

What I meant with radiographer and ODP is would that get me to HCA bank work? I know that they ask for 6 months experience. Is that in general or specific to HCA?

belleandthebudget

I have to agree with those who are saying to seriously consider London. I live here now and when I first moved was on 16K a year - that's when I ran up my debt, yes rent and bills are extortionate but other living costs even like food and drink are also much, much more expensive.

If you're already working on paying down debt do you really want to risk that just to live in the capital?

Edited to add: the reason I'm still here is because I work in the entertainment industry and work/career advancement is pretty scarce elsewhere, but it sounds like you wouldn't have that problem in health.

braken2000

After looking at courses. There seems to be a middle ground which is a uni near London. Bucks and Herts both offer the courses I want and will be less than London. A major draw for me is that a lot of my friends live in the South East.

moohound

The ODP course in Hull changes this year from a 2 year diploma to a 3 year degree, the final year will be spent learning the surgical assistant role, this will be a majorly in demand skill in the next few years (in my opinion), other ODP course will probably be similar, just some food for thought.

braken2000

What is the primary difference between the HeDip and BSc? Apart from an extra year I can not fathom it out. Is it to learn enhanced skills like cannulation, blood gasses etc?

moohound

The new ODP course at Hull is the same as the old one for the first two years and the last year is spend learning the assistants role, ODPs with a wide range of qualifications do extended role tasks, ODP training went through a lot of years being changed all the time NVQs, BTEC, HeDip now degrees.

I don't know about courses offered elsewhere.

As new professions develop the training tends to become longer and more academic, and ODP is a relatively new profession.

Personally I would do the degree if it were me, then you are in a better position for promotions to B6 team leader, B7 manager/theatre coordinator eventually etc.