Scarlett1

Hello im wanting to head over to Adelaide eventually in the next couple of years and dont think that my accounts qualifications will be worth much so im thinking of re-training so have decided I would like to go into either child nursing or mental health, im thinking that it might be better to study in the uk so if someone can point me in the right direction where I can apply too that would be great, im in essex, thank you

cheshiremark

Hi,
Here's a link to NHS careers.

http://www.nhscareers.nhs.uk/details...t.aspx?Id=1941

Can I just ask is nursing something you've always fancied doing or is it just a way to get into oz? If it's the latter you will find the job very hard but if its something you've wanted to do for ages you'll love it.

Unless you have a degree in a related medical science the training is 3 years long - half the time spent in uni the other half on the wards.

Good luck,

Mark

Scarlett1

Thanks for the mark, whatever happens I have to re-train so might aswell do it in something that I want to do (working with children or people), it has to be done now though as im in my late 30's and feel that time isnt on my side something to think about though, thanks

cheshiremark

Well if its something you want to do go for it. I myself was in my late 30's when I started on the course - there is no age limit and I wasn't the oldest in my cohort (I believe the average age of nursing students at Manchester uni is 26). Personally I loved being at uni it was a great time - that is apart from the 3000 word essays . I enrolled myself onto an 'A' level human biology course (evenings after work) at about the same time as I applied - this showed the uni that I had recent experience of being a student in an educational establishment and I think the subject showed that I was interested in learning about anatomy and physiology.

You work in accounts don't you so I assume you have the 5 GCSE's. I think at most uni's there are 2 intakes per year and there can be a lot of competition for places - especially on child, mental health and learning disability nursing. Adult nursing makes up the vast majority of places.

Good luck with your future career,

Mark

cheshiremark

Just checked online and from this year you have to apply to UCAS to apply to get onto a nursing course:

http://www.ucas.ac.uk/students/beforeyouapply/nursing/

butterflyprincess

hi,i too am in my late 30's and decided to make the leap into nursing after being a support worker for many years. i would love to go to oz too but that is not the only reason for training, as said earlier i think it ha to be something you really want to do, as i have struggled with 'do i really want to do this' and the answer comes out yes everytime.
i am about to enroll on a access to higher education course as i don't have the required qualifications, also gonna do some voluntary work in the hospital to show commitment and interest, perhaps you could do the same.
i wish you well and glad i am not the only thirty something venturing into this lol xxxxxxxx

Scarlett1

Thanks all, im going to see how far I can go with what I have got so far then take it from there, did you say 3,000 word essays

Hope your course goes well butterflyprincess good luck

lynnie32

Hi, Just found your post. I'm doing my childrens nurse training in essex, where were you thinking of studying? I'm also an older student (46) but i'm far from the oldest so don't worry about your age.

But i have to agree with Mark, it's hard work as you will have to do 3000 word essays along with being on placements altho we do get coursework days. But it's great being on the course and i've met so many lovely people.

I'm at ARU, so if it's where your thinking of going and you need any more info jus ask...

Good luck....

Lynnie

Zana

Hi, I'm doing adult at Surrey, we don't get study days, placements are 37.5 h/week and portfolio is the bonus , for your free time, just in case you're feeling idle. It's a really hard course, out of 400 in the begining (all branches), we're left about 150, if that. I wake up at 4 am to study till I go on placement, but i've got a kid and have to work around that. It's certainly no picnic, but it's doable, you just have to hang in there.
Sorry if it sounds scary, but that's how things stay.
Oh, I'm in my 30's as well, don't worry about the age!

eddie007

If you can take the three years slog that nurse education is then go for it... but be aware that those 37 1/2 hours per week plus your extra study time will be any of a 24/7 rotation..... mixture of earlies lates and a few nights thrown in for good measure....

Its not like being at uni where you choose to attend lectures or not so long as you pass your submitted work.... you have to be at (nealry) every lecture.... no matter how tedious... because to qualify you have to have attended x number of educational hours and x number of practice hours... There is virtuall no sick leave written into the course (a week over three years in many courses .... otherwise you have to make up time) And you cannot take "Annual Leave" at any time other than during the scheduled periods (well you can but boy is it frowned upon)

To be honest you might be better off considering doing your adult training in the uk as here they don't 'specialise' until they are post grads.... I know Mental Health Nurses who feel trapped because they don't have the skills 'mobility' within the health system here that General nurses have.... Adult trained nurses can dip in and out of MH/Child in a way that would be inconcieveable at home.....

But don't let anyone put you off, it will be a fabulous three years that changes you .... even if you believe you are 'grown up' already...

butterflyprincess

hi, thanks for advice. i feel i have done all i can as a support worker and nursing has been in the back of my mind for so many years now, i have to try! don't know if i will get in but its worth a try. i am expecting it to be hard so anything else is a bonus, but nursing is rewarding despite being underpaid!!!! xx