Retraining in Nursing
Discussion
Something I nearly did when I was 19 (now 29), I had my place on an Access to HE course, and was ready to go. But I bottled it for financial reasons.
Now of course, 10 years later, the desire is still burning, more now than ever, I want to do something that makes a difference, but now I have a mortgage and all the other adult stuff that I didn't have before.
I just wondered if anyone on here has done the degree; I gather I'll be able to get a £5,000 per year bursary if I were to be accepted on the course, plus student maintenance loans of around £7,500 per year. Great news! But I'm around 8K per year short of what I'd need. I have around a year while studying some stuff with the OU to get me some credits so I'm eligible to apply for the course, so will pay down debts and save as much as possible in this time.
Anyone with experience or a partner with experience of the courses, are you able to work part time whilst studying? I understand its a very intense course especially while on placement in a hospital.
I have asked on more specific forums of course, but this place is always usually helpful on employment matters, providing a blunt dose of realism where needed!
I really want to make a change in my work life, I'm supposed to be working next week, the CV19 has provided an unexpected break from a job I can't stand any more, and the thought of going back actually makes me feel sick. It's unfortunate as I am reasonably well paid in my current role but need to change for my own sanity more than anything, and want to get the retraining done before I have kids to worry about.
TIA
Now of course, 10 years later, the desire is still burning, more now than ever, I want to do something that makes a difference, but now I have a mortgage and all the other adult stuff that I didn't have before.
I just wondered if anyone on here has done the degree; I gather I'll be able to get a £5,000 per year bursary if I were to be accepted on the course, plus student maintenance loans of around £7,500 per year. Great news! But I'm around 8K per year short of what I'd need. I have around a year while studying some stuff with the OU to get me some credits so I'm eligible to apply for the course, so will pay down debts and save as much as possible in this time.
Anyone with experience or a partner with experience of the courses, are you able to work part time whilst studying? I understand its a very intense course especially while on placement in a hospital.
I have asked on more specific forums of course, but this place is always usually helpful on employment matters, providing a blunt dose of realism where needed!
I really want to make a change in my work life, I'm supposed to be working next week, the CV19 has provided an unexpected break from a job I can't stand any more, and the thought of going back actually makes me feel sick. It's unfortunate as I am reasonably well paid in my current role but need to change for my own sanity more than anything, and want to get the retraining done before I have kids to worry about.
TIA
Edited by Prancing Moose on Tuesday 14th April 14:50
Were I a cynical old sod, I'd wait until the nursing degree costs are waived in an attempt to get folks to join the profession, in ooh, three to six months.
I could be wrong though, and a wave of angels appear who are happy to borrow for a degree in a middlingly paid, but rewarding career. As I understand it, training is not a priority right now.
I could be wrong though, and a wave of angels appear who are happy to borrow for a degree in a middlingly paid, but rewarding career. As I understand it, training is not a priority right now.
Yes my wife retrained when she was 30. Went from being a financial advisor to a nurse. She was the last intake that had tuition fees paid.
You are able to work part time shifts either as a HCA or somewhere totally different. I bankrolled her while she did it and you do get quite a lot of time outside of college to work if you want.
She’s just got a promotion to band 6 level and loves it. Very proud of her.
Edited to say as above I imagine tuition fees will be waived after this as part of rishi’s magic money tree fruiting loom.
You are able to work part time shifts either as a HCA or somewhere totally different. I bankrolled her while she did it and you do get quite a lot of time outside of college to work if you want.
She’s just got a promotion to band 6 level and loves it. Very proud of her.
Edited to say as above I imagine tuition fees will be waived after this as part of rishi’s magic money tree fruiting loom.
Prancing Moose said:
Anyone with experience or a partner with experience of the courses, are you able to work part time whilst studying? I understand its a very intense course especially while on placement in a hospital.
Quite a few student nurses sign up to the bank as healthcare assistants at their local hospital/placement sites and do shifts that fit in around their courses. Weekends and nights attract an enhanced rate. Most places will pay you the following week. The skills you pick up are obviously relevant and transferable.There will be some parts of the year where university is quite busy and you feel like you have no free time, and other times where you are barely doing anything.
It's also an opportunity to work in lots of different areas and find out where you might like to work when you qualify.
Prancing Moose said:
1. I really want to make a change in my work life ... as I am reasonably well paid in my current role
2. but need to change for my own sanity more than anything
1. I assume you have looked up how much nurses get paid. Some might say it's 'reasonably well paid', I'd say I wouldn't do the job for twice the money!2. but need to change for my own sanity more than anything
Edited by Prancing Moose on Tuesday 14th April 14:50
2. Do you know anyone who has qualified in the last few years? Depending on when and where you work, the stress and workload can vary between high and completely unmanageable. It would be a demanding but rewarding job if staffing levels were correct. The chronic staff shortages mean borderline dangerous staffing levels have become normal. It's normal to only have the time to do the statutory minimum, go home several hours late and not get much sleep over the worry about things you might have missed because you were too busy.
This is based on the experience of a close friend who recently did exactly as you are considering (except there was no grant available and this was during the time the government starting charging training fees for nurses again!). They qualified and have worked in various hospitals in South Yorkshire. As much as I hope for equality across the country, I hope it isn't this bad everywhere.
Hi, I'm in the middle of or was doing the Healthcare Access course - it's suspended now and will get predicted grades for the remaining units which I'm going to complete most of as biology will be most important.
I did my physio and podiatry shadowing last summer before the course started. Depending on what the circumstances will be probably try to sort out shadowing by Autumn half term/early November. Arranging and contacting hospitals can be a PITA sort it out early as you can. One day can be sufficient - in half a day I decided to become a podiatrist! I would recommend to note your experience down on the day. Shadowing stands in good stead unless you have relevant experience/skills.
Part time work is do-able and there's a couple of mums on my course doing night shift full time and managing some distinctions.
Are you sure it's just nursing? There are other healthcare occupations with better hours and can attract larger bursaries. I'm eligible for £7k bursary of a possible £8k; as well as £5k bursary there's £1k extras for working in an occupation that has a shortage, in an area with a short of that occupation, having children to look after. https://www.gov.uk/government/news/paramedic-stude...
I did my physio and podiatry shadowing last summer before the course started. Depending on what the circumstances will be probably try to sort out shadowing by Autumn half term/early November. Arranging and contacting hospitals can be a PITA sort it out early as you can. One day can be sufficient - in half a day I decided to become a podiatrist! I would recommend to note your experience down on the day. Shadowing stands in good stead unless you have relevant experience/skills.
Part time work is do-able and there's a couple of mums on my course doing night shift full time and managing some distinctions.
Are you sure it's just nursing? There are other healthcare occupations with better hours and can attract larger bursaries. I'm eligible for £7k bursary of a possible £8k; as well as £5k bursary there's £1k extras for working in an occupation that has a shortage, in an area with a short of that occupation, having children to look after. https://www.gov.uk/government/news/paramedic-stude...
Hi
One option would be to take up a health care assistant post at local hospital which offers apprenticeship training, some may even recruit to apprenticeship places. This would allow you to study for a health care registration, typically nursing but others are available, while on a salary. you may train for four rather than a three year program. The link below will give you some more information. You may find it useful to contact your local hospital training and development / human resources department to see if they offer apprenticeships and which Universities and Colleges they partner with.
https://www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/career-planning/s...
Good luck, and push for it if its what you really want to do. Its a highly rewarding career with so many different ways of working post registration. It's also possible to do it in stages by working towards an associate practitioner and then to build on this to registration.
One option would be to take up a health care assistant post at local hospital which offers apprenticeship training, some may even recruit to apprenticeship places. This would allow you to study for a health care registration, typically nursing but others are available, while on a salary. you may train for four rather than a three year program. The link below will give you some more information. You may find it useful to contact your local hospital training and development / human resources department to see if they offer apprenticeships and which Universities and Colleges they partner with.
https://www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/career-planning/s...
Good luck, and push for it if its what you really want to do. Its a highly rewarding career with so many different ways of working post registration. It's also possible to do it in stages by working towards an associate practitioner and then to build on this to registration.
I almost did this and still wish that I could do it now.
I have a BSc in podiatric medicine and work in the NHS as a podiatrist, but I don't enjoy it, there's no potential for career progression and unless you want to move across country to change jobs (or live near London, where the trusts cover smaller areas) you end up restricted to working in one county.
I always wanted to be a nurse, I don't know why I didn't do it first time around.
A couple of years ago I got so fed up in my current job that I applied for the 2 year MSc in pre-registration nursing, I had an interview and was offered a place at university. Money was the fly in the ointment.
I didn't mind getting into student loan debt as it can be paid back gradually, the trouble was my mortgage. There's only me in my house and the bank wouldn't take a 2 year payment break (understandable). I didn't want to sell my house as on qualification I'd be earning less money than I am now, (currently band 6, but as a staff nurse I'd be band 5 and become a 6 if I became a junior sister). I may not be able to afford to buy a house on a newly qualified nurse wage.
I looked into renting out my property, but the income from that would be less than the out-goings of paying the rental agent and mortgage combined, plus whose to say the boiler won't die and need replacing as soon as I hand the keys over.
I worked out that to cover all outgoings and avoid getting into any debt for the duration of the course I would need £60k, (tuition fees, rent for student digs, continue to pay my mortgage, insurances etc, transport to and from placements, there's more items on this list!).
So I deferred for a year and then had to accept defeat and turn down the offer the following year. I do regret it and as soon as the course becomes financially viable for a non school leaver on their own and with responsibilities I will be applying again.
Good luck if you go ahead with it.
I have a BSc in podiatric medicine and work in the NHS as a podiatrist, but I don't enjoy it, there's no potential for career progression and unless you want to move across country to change jobs (or live near London, where the trusts cover smaller areas) you end up restricted to working in one county.
I always wanted to be a nurse, I don't know why I didn't do it first time around.
A couple of years ago I got so fed up in my current job that I applied for the 2 year MSc in pre-registration nursing, I had an interview and was offered a place at university. Money was the fly in the ointment.
I didn't mind getting into student loan debt as it can be paid back gradually, the trouble was my mortgage. There's only me in my house and the bank wouldn't take a 2 year payment break (understandable). I didn't want to sell my house as on qualification I'd be earning less money than I am now, (currently band 6, but as a staff nurse I'd be band 5 and become a 6 if I became a junior sister). I may not be able to afford to buy a house on a newly qualified nurse wage.
I looked into renting out my property, but the income from that would be less than the out-goings of paying the rental agent and mortgage combined, plus whose to say the boiler won't die and need replacing as soon as I hand the keys over.
I worked out that to cover all outgoings and avoid getting into any debt for the duration of the course I would need £60k, (tuition fees, rent for student digs, continue to pay my mortgage, insurances etc, transport to and from placements, there's more items on this list!).
So I deferred for a year and then had to accept defeat and turn down the offer the following year. I do regret it and as soon as the course becomes financially viable for a non school leaver on their own and with responsibilities I will be applying again.
Good luck if you go ahead with it.
Gassing Station | Jobs & Employment Matters | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff