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Embles · 20-07-2012, 12:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aubergine

I've wanted to be a nurse for a long time. I was a nursing assistant on a medical ward for a while, but had to leave when I became unwell. I loved it though, especially the palliative care aspect - it was sad, but I felt privileged to be part of the end of someone's life. I also liked being involved with the families of the people I was caring for - it was a really holistic way of working. My dream would be to work in a hospice or be a Marie Curie nurse.

So, for this I have to go to university. I have 4 reasonable A levels and I've got onto a university course before (though didn't go) so I know I can get a place, but there are things that worry me a bit:

1. Being old. I'm in my mid twenties and I'm worried about being judged for being older. In my thread in Veterans Support, some people have addressed this and have been very supportive, but it's still a huge sticking point for me.

2. Finances. How would I afford university? I'm worried about being lumbered with a ton of debt that I can't pay back. My parents can't afford to support me and I wouldn't expect them to.

3. Short sleeves. The NHS has a "bare below the elbow" policy, quite rightly, due to infection control. I assume that this is the same for private and charity run establishments. I have significant scarring all over my forearms from cuts and burns and skin grafts. When I was an NA everyone was lovely about it, but I still worry about being judged.

4. Not being academic enough. I worry that I am no clever enough any more. I used to have a reasonable brain on me, but it's been left to go stale. I'm starting a college course in September, so hopefully that'll kick start things, but it still worries me.

5. Not being stable enough. I've been stable for almost a year now, but I haven't really had any stress to contend with - no work or study. I'm concerned that I won't cope with a demanding course that requires work and study at the same time (what with placements and such).

That's it for now, I think.

I want to get excited, as I could apply soon for a 2013 start (providing I got a place). I don't feel that I can though because of all of these reservations.

Thank you for reading if you got this far. :)

Hi there :) Fellow nursing student here! :)
1. Trust me - age DOES NOT matter! I'm on a course with women up toooo 41? I think! And they all do the same stuff as us, nobody gets treated differently, and we all have a right laugh together :) Trust me , age wont be an issue :)

2. Your fees are free! :) And you get given extra bursarys too, then on top of that - you can get a maintenance loan which will cover the rest. You wont have to pay it back until your earning a certain amount, and on top of that, its such a small amount leaving that you'll barely notice :)

3. Ah - my scars aren't on my arms, so I can't relate too much to this, but I have been on placement recently with a girl with significant scarring, we were on a MH ward, so actually alot of people there related to her and didn't judge her, and a friend of mine , who is studying at London, has had a bit of judging, but mainly from bigoted old men =P

4. You. Is. Smarts. You have 4 A-Levels - YOU IS SMART :)

5. You don't have to have perfect MH for this course - it is a stressful course, and your tutors/mentors take that into consideration. Its very flexible, I've had extensions/extenuating circumstances due to MH and issues in my life (e.g. family deaths) which also needed time off of placement - which they were lovely about. 2 friends of mine were diagnosed with depression very recently, and uni has been BRILLIANT about it. I really can't sing their praises enough regarding their attitude to mental health, its fantastic :)

I hope this helps!

20-07-2012, 12:59 PM	#5
Embles Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Wales I am currently:	Quote: Originally Posted by Aubergine I've wanted to be a nurse for a long time. I was a nursing assistant on a medical ward for a while, but had to leave when I became unwell. I loved it though, especially the palliative care aspect - it was sad, but I felt privileged to be part of the end of someone's life. I also liked being involved with the families of the people I was caring for - it was a really holistic way of working. My dream would be to work in a hospice or be a Marie Curie nurse. So, for this I have to go to university. I have 4 reasonable A levels and I've got onto a university course before (though didn't go) so I know I can get a place, but there are things that worry me a bit: 1. Being old. I'm in my mid twenties and I'm worried about being judged for being older. In my thread in Veterans Support, some people have addressed this and have been very supportive, but it's still a huge sticking point for me. 2. Finances. How would I afford university? I'm worried about being lumbered with a ton of debt that I can't pay back. My parents can't afford to support me and I wouldn't expect them to. 3. Short sleeves. The NHS has a "bare below the elbow" policy, quite rightly, due to infection control. I assume that this is the same for private and charity run establishments. I have significant scarring all over my forearms from cuts and burns and skin grafts. When I was an NA everyone was lovely about it, but I still worry about being judged. 4. Not being academic enough. I worry that I am no clever enough any more. I used to have a reasonable brain on me, but it's been left to go stale. I'm starting a college course in September, so hopefully that'll kick start things, but it still worries me. 5. Not being stable enough. I've been stable for almost a year now, but I haven't really had any stress to contend with - no work or study. I'm concerned that I won't cope with a demanding course that requires work and study at the same time (what with placements and such). That's it for now, I think. I want to get excited, as I could apply soon for a 2013 start (providing I got a place). I don't feel that I can though because of all of these reservations. Thank you for reading if you got this far. :) Hi there :) Fellow nursing student here! :) 1. Trust me - age DOES NOT matter! I'm on a course with women up toooo 41? I think! And they all do the same stuff as us, nobody gets treated differently, and we all have a right laugh together :) Trust me , age wont be an issue :) 2. Your fees are free! :) And you get given extra bursarys too, then on top of that - you can get a maintenance loan which will cover the rest. You wont have to pay it back until your earning a certain amount, and on top of that, its such a small amount leaving that you'll barely notice :) 3. Ah - my scars aren't on my arms, so I can't relate too much to this, but I have been on placement recently with a girl with significant scarring, we were on a MH ward, so actually alot of people there related to her and didn't judge her, and a friend of mine , who is studying at London, has had a bit of judging, but mainly from bigoted old men =P 4. You. Is. Smarts. You have 4 A-Levels - YOU IS SMART :) 5. You don't have to have perfect MH for this course - it is a stressful course, and your tutors/mentors take that into consideration. Its very flexible, I've had extensions/extenuating circumstances due to MH and issues in my life (e.g. family deaths) which also needed time off of placement - which they were lovely about. 2 friends of mine were diagnosed with depression very recently, and uni has been BRILLIANT about it. I really can't sing their praises enough regarding their attitude to mental health, its fantastic :) I hope this helps!
	We’ve got obsessions I want to erase every nasty thought that bugs me every day of every week We’ve got obsessions You never tell me what it is that makes you strong and what it is that makes you weak.