Re-training as a Nurse

minxystar

At the grand old age of 33 I have decided to leave my job as an Account Manager and go back to Uni to do my Nursing diploma.

I am aiming to fund my studies with a combination of bursary money, savings, rent & a small re-mortgage on my current property. I don't currently plan to work whilst studying (other than during Uni holidays).

With my aim being to start Uni in Sept 08 or Jan 09 , I have at least 7 months to plan this major change as best I can. I have very limited medical / nursing experience so need to get up to speed in this time also.

A few questions for any Nurses who have previous experience of this:

1) What books can I read prior to starting that will help? (Have already ordered the student nurse's survival guide)
2) I hope to book myself on a first aid course as I don't even know the basics - any suggestions?
3) Is it worth doing bank / auxilery work now (and/or whilst studying)?
4) Anything else I should know / consider when planning this change?

Plus some financial questions:

1) I presume I need to inform my mortgage provider of my change of work status?
2) I will need to change mortgage deals next summer when my current deals run out - how does this work if I'm not working? Should I forwarn them of my plans?

Any other thoughts or advice very much appreciated!

Minxystar

Oldernotwiser

You do know that you don't have to pay fees for a nursing diploma? Have you applied yet for 2008 and, if not, have you checked that there are still vacancies? If you have no relevant experience (care or auxiliary work) you may well not be accepted.

(This sounds a bit negative which it isn't intended to be. Good luck!)

minxystar

hello,

Yes, I have chosen the diploma for that reason although I still need some extra cash to live on on top of the bursary I will be getting. I haven't yet applied for 2008 but have booked into the University Open Day on 15th Feb so I can discuss my plans further.

I will give them a call about availability as that will help me plan better if I know likely timescales.

Thanks!

Secret1234

How wonderful! I'm desperate to give up work and start a nursing course but i just can't afford to do it at the moment, i'm chuffed for you

I would recommend doing a bit of health care assistant work, apparently this can be done part time/flexible hours just to give you a taster of what to expect although this isn't essential. My sister is in the 2nd year of the nursing degree and had no experience before starting it and she is coping just fine.

Good look with everything!! x

The_Bride

Hi Minxystar

Im 28 and starting the Adult Dip on the the 28th Jan:j :eek: :j

I'll try an answer some of your q's

1, Ive got the student nurse handbook that you've ordered and its really useful and gives you an insight into what student life will entail.Ive also got Anatomy & Physiology for Dummies which is brill for beginners like me!
Im going to wait till I get my reading list before I buy/borrow any more.

2, TBH I have no previous care/health experience ( apart from 3 kids ) but I know prior to your first placement you have to be able to perform CPR, which is taught along with other basic skills in your 1st few weeks.

3, Cant really answer that as I have no prev experience but I can't see it being a bad thing.

4, Depending on which Uni you apply to the criteria changes such as min qualifications and experience. Some Uni's like to see evidence of recent study some (like mine!) don't care as long as you have 5 GSCE's.


Good luck!

vixarooni

It fails me as to why you would need experience before doing it!

I didnt have experience of business or tourism before i started doing mine!

In my opinion as a student the best thing to get right is organisation, get your folders, decent pens, a laptop or a good desk to spread your work out on.

If no other nurses doing this course suggests books i would suggest asking the lecutures a the uni when you get there what books to read ect. If you guess you may end up reading one that is quite poor in quality (i know this applies to my course and surely it must in this sbuject too!)

The_Bride

A good website is www.studentnurse.org.uk

The forum is brilliant and will give you all the info you need!

karren

I'd highly reckomend some experience before you start, as often we have students who havent done anything before thier placements and find its not what they want to do at all, and you get to know the staff and gain valuable insights into the role before you start, good luck x

shockingmoment

Just read your post to my RGN / Midwife / Neonatal Nurse wife. Her comment?

Don't Bother! If you want to work in the NHS, get an admin job. No cr4p, good prospects, more pay.

She's retraining right now to get out after receiving a death threat from a patient's (baby) father. No support from the management. Had to call the police herself.

Do some research and give the move a lot of serious thought.

Sorry to put a downer on things, and whatever you choose - I really hope it works out for you.

butterfly72

minxystar wrote: »

A few questions for any Nurses who have previous experience of this:

1) What books can I read prior to starting that will help? (Have already ordered the student nurse's survival guide)

I really wouldn'tt get any books until you start! Saying that i did a anatomy & physiology course before I started my training and used the book for the nursing course. Others have suggested becoming a nursing assistant. (you can do this on the bank which means you can pick and choose your shifts). Most hospitals have a library you can join and you can go choose a few nursing books from there. Most unis will give you a reading list prior to starting, however, there are so many books out there its best to use the uni library until you see which ones are for you!

2) I hope to book myself on a first aid course as I don't even know the basics - any suggestions? You do CPR during your first semester at uni. you could ask in your current job if you can become a first aider. Maybe they will book you on the St John 4 day course... or become a st john volunteer. But nursing is not all first aid so don't worry too much!


3) Is it worth doing bank / auxilery work now (and/or whilst studying)?

Its worth doing now as you will find out if you like it or not! You will make contacts for a possible job later. You might find out about secondment and get your training paid for. (I got paid 15K per year to train as a nurse). I joined the bank whilst I was training.. but too be honest I was too knackered to work. I think i did 3 shifts! The course work and placements do take a lot of effort.


4) Anything else I should know / consider when planning this change?

As suggested this is a great site: www.studentnurse.org.uk

Nursing is tough.. the ward I've just left was really really understaffed. We worked 12 hour shifts with a 30 min break looking after medical emergency patients. Sickeness and moral was rock bottem and managment blamed us for the poor care, the dirty ward, the complaints, the little lady left to wee in her bed.... we ended up sending a collective letter to the hospital chief exec who did make some changes. However quite a few of us have left as we couldn't take the stress and fear of losing our registration anymore. I'm now in community which is just as busy and short staffed (but at least my patients have less chance of something serious happening) I don't mean to scare you.. but this is a fairly common situation. Still nothing beats the feeling of seeing your patient recover, or even being part of a team that saves a life. Its varied with lots of different job options.. practice nurse, community, management, clinics, private, drug sales rep, surgery, education. Most days I'm glad I'm a nurse. Others I wish I had a cushy office number!

You may also like to know that on my course there were many older folk.. loads in there 40s and even a few in there 50s! I'd say the average age was mid/late 20s - early 30s.

jackkelly

Hi,
I've been qualified 10 yrs now and am currently a ward sister on a childrens unit. I would definantly recommend doing some health care work, to get a feel for it.
It is Bloody hard work most of the time, with little or no thanks from patients or the
organisation itself. People are expecting more and more from the health service but
it can't keep up with demand. I do think when it is really needed it does come good.
Sorry to put a downer on you don't mean to just being realistic, if I had my time again
would I choose nursing? NO and hope at some point to have a change of career to what don't yet know.
Cheers