Career/life change

Sncjw

Nursing is still a demanding course. I did it for two years but had to leave due to health reasons.

In nursing it's difficult to get past the interview stage. You need to present a good argument why you would be a good nurse even before the interview.

If you get a place which is unlikely I think given just three GCSEs it's a degree based programme. You may be able to do the post graduate programs which I belive is two years rather than three but it's so condensed.

In my uni we didn't have set days to be in our timetable changed all the time. We were expected to study outside our lectures as it was classed as full time course even if we were in a couple days a week.

We had assignments and also a think called pad document which shows competencies we have to pass. We had to get that signed off and also produce evidence why we are able to do that during placements.

Placements you are expected to work the same patterns as a nurse which could be Lates then an early or long days which could be 12 hours. Then you have to do the pad work and assignments on top of that during placement whilst having a home life.

It's a hectic course and the funding has changed for it. Many did do bank work to earn extra money and experience but the uni says to put the course and placements first before work. It can be easy to burn out.

I'm not sure about doctors but I expect their learning is heavy and with a third class degree and yourself saying you lost interest in course what if you lose interest in the doctors courE.

Also you need to apply really early for med school.

How will you afford to pay for house and child whilst doing a uni degree again?

LongTallKatie

missbiggles1 wrote: »

I'm sure you mean well but medical school isn't like X Factor. You can't do an Access to Medicine course online and you're unlikely to get on one without at least one science at GCSE. As an example, the College of West Anglia says,

"You must be aged 19 or over on 31st August in the year you begin the course and will need 5 GCSEs or O levels at grades A-C, including English, maths and science (grade BB). Most medical schools require a minimum of grade B in GCSE English and maths. If you have a C in English and/or maths, you will be required to retake and achieve a higher grade alongside the Access to Medicine and Dentistry course.

If you already hold a recent degree, it must be at 2:1 level or above. This is because medical schools do not usually accept students with a recent degree below grade 2:1."

Sometimes realism is a greater kindness than optimism.

7 years back, you could do an Access Course at a local college, alongside your GCSE's in Maths or English - I know I did it, one in Nursing and Allied Health Professions. It was hard work, but worth it.


Now most Access Courses will only take students on if they already have GCSE's in English and Maths, my local college now do this, they expect students to do the GCSE's first over 1 year or 2 and then do the Access Course, yes it adds to the amount of time it takes to get to Medical School, but it is possible. Nothing is impossible.

tomtontom

LongTallKatie wrote: »

Of course she would have to self fund such courses like GCSE's and the Access Course since she currently has a degree.


As for your comment about standing out, just because a mature student takes the Access Course route does not make them any different than someone who gains A-Levels and it can be done. I did an Access Course 7 years ago for Nursing, I gained a place at York University which at the time was the top of the table for Nursing in Mental Health. In my college, there were access courses for several different paths, and I met a girl determined to go to medical school so she could become a Psychiatrist.


At the time she was a single parent, but had great family support. She is now in her final year at Medical School and has done amazing, so it can be done, it depends on how much you want it.


The Personal Statement from UCAS is the most important part of applying to any university course, whether it be in computers or medical school, it is what sells you to the universities. It doesn't matter if your 18 or 48, if you can't write a good PS, then you'll get nowhere.


Most universities will take on mature students and if the OP wants to really do this career then they should go for it. Comments from people saying they don't stand a chance are really rude.

They're not rude, they are realistic.

How much money do you recommend OP spends on this pipe dream? Because that is what it is going to take, she's going to have to spend thousands in course fees and living costs to even get to offer stage.

gunsandbanjos

Yes absolutely universities will take mature students who have the academic capabilities. I was a mature student, I went to university when my daughter started school and came away with a first class honours in maths. It can be done, however 3 GCSEs from years ago and a third in a poor subject are not easily overcome in a field as fiercely competitive as medicine.

It's called being realistic, not seen one rude reply, lots of good suggestions for alternatives that are more suitable.

Outofoffice

daytona0 wrote: »

If its any consolation, in my old "office" job there were people (myself included) with 11+ GCSEs, 4 A-levels AND a 2:1+ degree in a half decent subject (computer science, maths) and yet they still were earning a fraction of that 26k a year. So be grateful for the nuggets you currently grind. A lot of people worse off than you in that little cushy office job

Your biggest problem is funding/living expenses. Sadly, if you pop out some sprogs then you have to pay for them and that's your disposable income (and more!) gone right there.... So what's the plan? I'm not saying that it is impossible, and I'd love you to succeed, but you really do need to sit down and plan everything.

I am in the same situation in terms of the office job, and I know there are many people who would take my job in the morning if they were offered it. However, 10 years of sitting at a desk, with the prospect of another 30+ years at the same desk is soul destroying!

The plan? I am trying to figure it out at present :rotfl: hence the OP!

Outofoffice

Polarbeary wrote: »

You would need to get a role as a clinical support worker/healthcare assistant first - if you look on NHS Jobs you can search by location. You might need to do 6 months of voluntary work at your local hospital first to show interest and to learn more about hospital work.

This is great, thank you!

missbiggles1

LongTallKatie wrote: »

7 years back, you could do an Access Course at a local college, alongside your GCSE's in Maths or English - I know I did it, one in Nursing and Allied Health Professions. It was hard work, but worth it.


Now most Access Courses will only take students on if they already have GCSE's in English and Maths, my local college now do this, they expect students to do the GCSE's first over 1 year or 2 and then do the Access Course, yes it adds to the amount of time it takes to get to Medical School, but it is possible. Nothing is impossible.

Access courses to Medicine are very different from the more general courses that lead into nursing and other health careers - entrance qualifications to medicine are on a totally different plane from entrance to nursing qualifications. Don't forget, it isn't that long ago that you could get into nursing with nothing higher than a few GCSEs!

You still haven't addressed the funding issue, both before medical school and after entry (if that were so unlikely to be possible). Not even young childless people are able to work part time while studying medicine and benefits won't be available either.

Outofoffice

gunsandbanjos wrote: »

I agree, there's no point ploughing time and energy into something that is never going to happen.

I think you've shot yourself in the foot by not making a decent effort in your current degree, it will not be looked on favourably by either employers or universities.

Yeah I realise that now with hindsight.

Outofoffice

tomtontom wrote: »

They're not rude, they are realistic.

How much money do you recommend OP spends on this pipe dream? Because that is what it is going to take, she's going to have to spend thousands in course fees and living costs to even get to offer stage.

If the dream becomes a reality, I've no problem spending thousands getting there.

Outofoffice

gunsandbanjos wrote: »

Yes absolutely universities will take mature students who have the academic capabilities. I was a mature student, I went to university when my daughter started school and came away with a first class honours in maths. It can be done, however 3 GCSEs from years ago and a third in a poor subject are not easily overcome in a field as fiercely competitive as medicine.

It's called being realistic, not seen one rude reply, lots of good suggestions for alternatives that are more suitable.

Congrats on your First Class! If you don't mind me asking, did this improve your career prospects? Are you now doing something you enjoy?