So you ve finally made your mind up you want to become a nurse. Youve tried working in shops behind bars pizza parlours factories. But now youve finally put an end to it and decided to become a nurse. But how do you apply to become a nurse? What does it involve and how much studying might one have to undertake. You may be saying Im not an academic. Im useless at English and Mathematics but I still want to become a nurse. Fear not most people who endeavour on the nursing course have precisely the same fears. That is they feel they are not up to the academic work. Especially as it is now university based, and the word university strikes fear into the hearts of many a fledgling student nurse. But universities have changed dramatically in the last two decades. They are no longer the bastions of the academic genii and have become the common hunting ground for the average person from working class backgrounds. The most important quality you can take into the course is not academic know how but Desire. That is a drive to succeed whatever it takes. If you have that quality then welcome aboard. This will take you far into the course and even over the finishing line. My advice at this stage is to believe in yourself. Picture yourself now as a nurse in a nurses uniform. Whether this image comes from the television programme „Casualty or„Holby City it doesnt matter. The importance of visualising yourself as a nurse is the most important image you can have. It will generate a confidence and self belief in yourself like nothing else. And this confidence will pass on to others. Focus your mind now on the end result. You going about looking and feeling important, respected by others. Visualising yourself as a nurse will increase your confidence and self belief a hundredfold. in your nurses uniform
needed by others andThere has never been a more exciting time to join the nursing midwifery profession. The number of roles is huge. As a nurse it is possible to work in hospitals, G.P clinics, nursing and residential homes, occupational health services and even the pharmaceutical industry. Nurses also work in prisons, university education on leisure cruise ships or for the armed forces. Nurses focus on the needs of the individual rather than specific illnesses or conditions. By providing care and support they enable individuals and their families to live more comfortable lives.
It is possible to take either a diploma or a degree course to qualify as a nurse. Education is in universities with placements in local hospitals and community settings. The course is 50% academic, 50% practical. The first year is the common foundation programme which will introduce you to the principles of nursing. You will then specialise in either Adult; Childrens; Mental health; Learning disability or even Midwifery. Full time diploma courses last three years. Degree courses last three or four years. Midwifery education is also at diploma or degree level. You will learn theory or practical for pregnant women, delivering babies educating and supporting parents. Political and cultural issues affecting maternity care are also covered.
The number of opportunities for those qualifying in the adult branch are immense. This could be working in hospitals, or even in the community. In peoples homes, attached to a health centre or in nursing homes. You will care for, support and educate people of all ages. Once qualified many nurses specialise in areas such as cardiology, infectious diseases, accident and emergency and obesity clinics, practice nursing at your local G.P, health visiting or even school nursing.
Those qualified in the children s branch of nursing work with the 0-18 year olds in a variety of places. From newly born baby care units to teenagers with physical and social problems. Children react to illness in many ways that are different from adults. This is why they need to be cared for and supported by specially trained nurses who understand their particular needs. Childrens nurses also support, advise and educate particularly close relatives. Once qualified it is possible to specialise in areas inside of hospitals or in the local community such as , intensive care, drop in centres and school nursing.
About 2-3% of the population has a learning disability. Nurses who qualify in this help those with learning disabilities to live independent and fulfilling lives. This revolves around working with people who live in supported accommodation. Typically 3-4 people with learning disabilities live together in flats or houses with 24 hour support. Some nurses work with people who require more intensive care for instance in hospitals or specialist secure units. Other specialise in areas such as epilepsy management or working with sensory impairment.
Mental health nurses work with G.P s, psychiatrists, social workers and others to co-ordinate people suffering from mental illness. The vast majority of people with mental health problems are nursed in the community. Nurses plan and deliver care for people living in their own home, in small residential houses or specialist hospital services. Some are based in health centres. Specialisms include Schizophrenia, Counselling, Forensics and substance misuse.
Many midwives carry their own caseload of women and work in the community. Others are midwives in hospital. There are opportunities to specialise in public health, womens health, and run services such as teenage pregnancy advice.
Those who undertake an NHS funded degree course will receive a means tested bursary. The grant allowance however will depend on your income or that of your partner/parents. Those who undertake an NHS funded diploma course receive a no means tested bursary which currently stands at £5,432 (£6,382 in London). Depending on your circumstances you may for extra allowances e.g. if you have children.
Further information is available from the following organisations:The NHS Students Grants Unit Rm 212c Government buildings Norcross
Blackpool
FY5 3TA
In Wales.
NHS Wales Student Award Unit 2nd floor
Golate House
101 St Mary Street
Cardiff
CF10 1DX
Tel 029 2026 1495 Fax. 029 2026 1499 The Students Award Agency for Scotland 3 Redheughs Rigg
South Gyle
Edinburgh
EH12 9HH
Tel. 0131 4768212
In Northern Ireland
The Department of Higher and Further Education. Student Support Branch
4th Floor Adelaide House
39-49 Adelaide Street
Belfast
BT2 8FD
If you enjoy working with people and would like to make a difference to the lives nursing offers you. You need to be non-judgemental and a good communicator, with the ability to listen, empathise and provide support. Nursing attracts all kinds of personalities from all sorts of backgrounds. Whether youre an extrovert or an introvert youll find an area of nursing that helps you fulfil your potential.
You have to complete a health questionnaire when you apply for the nursing or midwifery course and you will be also sent for a medical to prove your fitness. If you have a disability you may find it useful to contact (The National Bureau for Students with Disabilities on 0800 328 5050) or on the website www.skill.org.uk.
If you have any past convictions you will need to declare this on your application form. They will also ask you to sign a form allowing them to check whether or not you have a police record. You will automatically be barred from entering the nursing profession if you have a criminal conviction or caution. The University will take into account the circumstances surrounding the event and should treat any information in the strictest of confidence.
The minimum entry requirements are give below. But bare in mind many Universities will expect you to hold more than the minimum including A levels.
5GCSE/GCE O levels, grade C OR ABOVE (INCLUDING English and a Science/Maths .) or
5 CSEs grade 1; or
5 SCEs grade 1 (Scotland); or
5 SCEs ordinary, grades A-C (Scotland); or
GNVQ Intermediate level plus one GCSE/GCE O level, grades A-C; OR
GNVQ Advanced level or NVQ level 3; or
SVQ level 3; GSVQ (Scotland); or
SVQ level 2 (Scotland) if the programme began after September 2000
A Kite marked Access to Higher Education course; or EDEXEL Foundation (BTEC) National or Higher National Diploma; or
Passes in the Northern Ireland Grammar School Senior Certificate of Education; or
A qualification awarded by the NNEB dated from 1985, including the Diploma in P? Studies.
If you do not hold any of the above qualifications you can apply for a new initiative called the cadet scheme. Run by various NHS trusts in England, this scheme enables you to undertake a training programme, successful completion of which gives you an NVQ level 3 or Access qualification. You are the seconded to a nearby university to take a nursing diploma course registration as a nurse. Further details are available from NHS Careers.
For degree programmes you will need to apply to:
The University and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) Barn Lane
Cheltenham
Gloucestershire
GL52 3LZ
Tel 01242 227788- for application package only 01242 222444- general enquiries
Fax: 01242 544961
The Nursing and Midwifery Admissions Service(NMAS)
Rosehill
New Barn Lane Cheltenham
Gloucestershire GL52 3LZ
Tel: 01242 223707- application package only 01242 544 949- general enquiries
Fax: 01242 544 962