Has recently done a nursing course?

OpenToSuggestions

OpenToSuggestions

OpenToSuggestions

Soldato
Joined
5 Aug 2006
Posts
11,423
Location
Derbyshire
The girlfriend is looking to train to become a nurse. She lives in Derby and is looking at Derby University and Open University. She has a 7 year old and whilst she is certain that she wants to be a nurse she is not clear on the practically in doing so, even though she currently manages an 8:30-5pm Monday to Friday job and rents her own house.

She is looking into the above, however what I would like to know is what people's experiences are for either themselves or people you know, and if there is any advice you can give :).
 
If she already has a job with a stable and decent income, my advice is don't.
Hours are long and the work is hard.
If she wants to be a bank nurse then work can literally be anywhere...but if she makes a mistake, will be thrown under the bus.
Declaration of interest: NHS worker
 
If there is any doubt whatsoever about being able to commit to the hours required (many, many long hours), then I'd advise against it. And I say that as someone who, as a medical student, works alongside underpaid, over-worked nurses on a regular basis.
 
She's under no illusion that nurses are overworked and underpaid for what they do, and I am glad that this has been realised up front.

What I am looking for is people who have had experience of starting the course as a single parent :).
 
Isnt it worth thinking about what will happen at the end if the training?

Your still expected to do “experience shifts” cant remember the exact term but whats the point of training if it will be impossible to carry out the job your training for?
 
You will also have to factor in placements during the time learning, some of these can be no where near where you live. I know a lot of our students complain about having to got 50 or so miles to there placements but sometimes it cannot be helped.
If your bird is dead set on being a nurse, and so she should be as its great, then she will soak it up - but those who waver tend to drop out or be less successful in the exams.

She could always come back to it later on in life when the 7 year old isnt 7 any more, see plenty of mature students go through nursing.
 
With shift work, it’ll be extremely tiring and difficult with a young child.
 
Stephanie Peterson said:
You will also have to factor in placements during the time learning, some of these can be no where near where you live. I know a lot of our students complain about having to got 50 or so miles to there placements but sometimes it cannot be helped.
If your bird is dead set on being a nurse, and so she should be as its great, then she will soak it up - but those who waver tend to drop out or be less successful in the exams.

She could always come back to it later on in life when the 7 year old isnt 7 any more, see plenty of mature students go through nursing.
Click to expand...

Ah thats the term i was thinking of.
 
Her childcare arrangements need to be absolutely rock solid. Shift work sucks, getting childcare on Christmas is a challenge. Night shifts as a single parent would be nigh on impossible unless the child can stay with relatives. These arrangements will need to be sorted pretty much from day one as you’re thrown into the mix very rapidly as a nursing student.

@Stephanie Peterson - Shift work is a young person’s game. I couldn’t imagine doing it whilst working up from the bottom as a mature student.
 
Become a Nurse, quit the NHS?

Then work for a nursing / doctors healthcare recruitment agency owned by someone who has links to the Conservative party and earn a lot more money than paid directly by the NHS. They charge the NHS double the hourly pay these locum doctors and nurses are being paid to the NHS as well.
 
The 12 hour shifts have been mentioned but bear in mind (ward depending) that they are on a 3 day week! I'd have no bother working those hours for that sort of quality time at home.
 
No matter how laudable the ambition, training to be a nurse and then going on to work her way up doesn't sound like the ideal career move for your girlfriend - it is a tough, all too often severely under appreciated job - I have nothing but the greatest admiration for those dedicated souls who do it.

All the best to your girlfriend :)
 
My wife has been a nurse for 10 years. True, your gf will probably spend a few years doing long shifts on a ward but after you get some experience plenty of 9-5 jobs open up and they have to offer you flexible working hours if practical. My wife is in research now working 9-5 and plenty of colleagues have kids with no dramas.

I'd also say that whilst pay isn't as good as many professional jobs in the private sector, over time nurses can earn up to £30k in band 5, the band they start off in, and £38k in band 6 which everyone seems to eventually progress to if half decent. That's not terrible, depending on where you live.
 
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