How to become a Nurse

Sabrina_Ally

Hi
I want to be a Nurse but didn't make the grades to get into University. I have been recommended to do an 'Access Course' first which will get me in. Has anyone done a Access course?
Many thanks in advance
Sabrina

Zyx

I've completed an Access course in the past. It is a course similar to A-levels where all the work is pushed into one year instead.
Before the course ends you apply to universities via UCAS but the course does not grant you any UCAS points. Simply completing it allows you to apply to university but only right after.
You cannot complete an access course and wait a few years, you have to apply right away.

The main disadvantage of taking the access route is that most employers have no idea whatsoever what it actually is. You might get into interviews with them asking you about your A-levels because they think you must have missed them out on your CV since they don't get that you've done an access course. You might even get into job interviews for jobs where they require good A-level grades together with a degree but since most people assume that to get into university you must have completed A-levels you could get into awkward situations.

The other disadvantage is that many roles require UCAS points, especially the best and biggest companies. Obviously I am not a nurse so it might be different. Go and check application processes and jobs for nurses and take a look at a lot of requirements. If most or all of them require UCAS points you're going to have a bad time.

Having said that many employers prefer access students as they tend to be more mature and more dedicated. A lot of A-level students who get into university right after and finish early tend to be more childish and very unsure about their career choice which makes them lazy and unreliable at the workplace. This is why one of the top 4 accountancy firms has dropped their UCAS points requirement last month and the other 3 are to follow soon.

It is definitely a viable route.

missbiggles1

Zyx wrote: »

I've completed an Access course in the past. It is a course similar to A-levels where all the work is pushed into one year instead.
Before the course ends you apply to universities via UCAS but the course does not grant you any UCAS points. Simply completing it allows you to apply to university but only right after.
You cannot complete an access course and wait a few years, you have to apply right away.

Most Access courses are valid for 7 years.

The main disadvantage of taking the access route is that most employers have no idea whatsoever what it actually is. You might get into interviews with them asking you about your A-levels because they think you must have missed them out on your CV since they don't get that you've done an access course. You might even get into job interviews for jobs where they require good A-level grades together with a degree but since most people assume that to get into university you must have completed A-levels you could get into awkward situations.

The other disadvantage is that many roles require UCAS points, especially the best and biggest companies. Obviously I am not a nurse so it might be different. Go and check application processes and jobs for nurses and take a look at a lot of requirements. If most or all of them require UCAS points you're going to have a bad time.

Having said that many employers prefer access students as they tend to be more mature and more dedicated. A lot of A-level students who get into university right after and finish early tend to be more childish and very unsure about their career choice which makes them lazy and unreliable at the workplace. This is why one of the top 4 accountancy firms has dropped their UCAS points requirement last month and the other 3 are to follow soon.

It is definitely a viable route.

The sole purpose of an Access course is university entry, not as a qualification for jobs.

sallyscott

I hope you find this helpful Sabrina ....
I am just about to finish an access course, I am a mature student with children and working full time so going to college wasn't an option for me. So I chose to do an online access course, this was really good as I can study once the kids are in bed and at the weekends. My course is through Harriet Ellis Training who I think are really good, even though it is online you have a tutor who is there to help plus you get to meet other students doing the course via there 'student hub' so I have felt really supported every step of the way.
I am due to finish in a few weeks and will hopefully start university in September.
Good luck with what you decide to do and give Harriet Ellis a call, they will advise you I'm sure.

missbiggles1

I smell Spam.

GwylimT

Have you been looking at work experience?

My wife is a nurse although she trains nurses now, she studied at A-level including biology, during this time she worked as a carer in a care home, she also volunteered with St Johns ambulance every weekend, she then moved from the care home (where she gained an NVQ in care not sure of its exact title), she then moved on and worked as a health care assistant in a hospital.

She had worked in a care role for two years when she applied for her nursing course (birmingham), while studying she also worked as a health care assitant on bank to bring more money in and to further her on ward experience.

t0rt0ise

Access courses for nursing are well respected by the training universities. Just do it and enjoy your new career. However, I wouldn't do an online course, much better to go to college.

Paully232000

http://nursing.nhscareers.nhs.uk/

have you looked here, or here

http://www.whatuni.com/degrees/courses/access-foundation-courses/nursing-access-foundation-courses-united-kingdom/t/united+kingdom/r/6112/page.html

or here

http://www.accesstohe.ac.uk/Pages/Default.aspx

Sabrina_Ally

Thanks everyone for all the advice.
Gwylim - I have not looked for work experience yet as I already work in a different field altogether - retail.
I got good GCSE grades at school but no A levels so won't get into Uni on those alone which is why I think I need the Access course, I have not researched particular Universities yet so don't know if they all accept Access to entry but I have been told the majority do.
Thanks for the link Paully - accesstohe have a list of course providers.
T0rt0ise - I thought an online course might be a good idea so that I don't have to spend a whole day a week at college as my work schedule varies weekly and my employer is not very flexible.
Oh god why so many choices!!