Ok so i have never posted in here before (or at least i dont think i have lol) but anyway. im considering doing nursing at university and i am in the process of getting the forms at the minute. but im rather scared about whether i will get in or not, as my self harm has been pretty bad lately, and i have been on anti depressants for like 2 months no maybe a wee bit more im not sure.
what im wondering is will this effect my chances of getting a place!?!? im really excited to be honest and think that this is going to be my motivation atm to try and get better!!!
*By the way feel free to move this as im not sure if its in the right place or not*
Hey, Im doing Mental Health Nursing in September, and when I went for an interview I had a talk with everybody else, and the outlook was pretty positive.
There was another self harmer there, and there was one girl who had been diagnosed with bipolar disorder, but as far as my knowledge goes, she got a place.
I think you should be ok, Im not too sure as your currently on anti depressants, but I wanted to let you know that your not alone =)
Sarah: Give me the child.
Jareth: Sarah beware. I have been generous up till now. I can be cruel.
Sarah: Generous? What have you done that's generous?
Jareth: Everything! Everything you have wanted I have done. You asked the child be taken, I took him. You cowered before me, I was frightening. I have reordered time. I have turned the world upside down, and I have done it all for you! I am exhausted from living up to your expectations of me. Isn't that generous?
hey, im a second year student nurse (adult branch) and have many a self harm scar on my arms. Never was a problem, i was open and honest with ocupational health and it was fine. they rang me up and we had a chat about it all and they said if i had any problems contact them as they are just there to support us! Which branch you applying for and which uni? bets of luck xx
I am in the same position, except I'm taking a year out.
You've got to consider the amount of people wanting a place on the course... then you've got to give the university a reason why they should offer you the place rather than somebody else.
So if you mention about self harm and mental illness, and how you hope that your experience can be used to an advantage by helping others in similar situations, rather than something to be ashamed of, then self harm and mental illness can do you a favour. As long as you are open and honest about it.
But you've also got to look at the negative aspect, if you have self harm scars, are on anti-depressants, then what does that say about you as a person? How well are you going to cope on a mentally and emotionally demanding course? Have you moved on and formed new and better coping strategies? If so, make sure you mention that because it will look a whole lot better on you. You need to be emotionally stable basically.
Sometimes they may defer your place for a year, just to give you gtime to recover until they feel you are well enough to suceed on the course, but if they do, don't take it as an insult, they have your best interests at heart.
Urm yeah, I know quite a bit on this I guess, because I've had to ask a few people about it on the way, and most have suggested taking a year out, and using that time to work in a health setting to gain experience and confidence and get "well" to basically stand a better chance at getting a place and stuff.
So yeah, also I think most universities recommend you be at least a year free of self harm when taking a course like this, and that you are mentally stable, they do check medical records, I think and have to go through occupational health.
So I guess you have a lot of things to consider. But *Hi 5's* for wanting to become a nurse! ^_^ Good luck.
~Beauty without intellence, is a materpiece painted on a napkin.~
Occ Health can ONLY have access to your medical records if you sign a form (which only lasts for a period of time) to allow this, so they can't just look at them. Though if you're currently having problems they may want a report off your mental health team presuming you have one.
And, most importantly, tell them the truth. If you find later you can't cope then they will be less ready to know how to help and stuff than if you tell them straight off as well as if they find out later on which means really you lied in any forms you filled out, then you can get kicked out whereas if you tell the truth from the start a lot of the time they can't use it against you and will just be looking out for what will help you the most.
Ok your going to hate me because im goin to say the opposite to every one here.
First off, you have to have a form signed by your GP that says you are fit to work and stuff and I assume your doctor is dealing with your depression so it will depened if they think you are up for such a course.
And second off, if you are depressed now do you really think you could deal with the course?
I know at least 5 people who started the course fine with no problems at all and had to leave due to MH stuff and even more people who things kicked off for them.
Nursing is not an easy course. Half the time is spent in uni, this will most likely be 9-5, 5 days a week and its all stuff you will need and you will need to listen and take notes.
Then you go on placement. Where you will work full time hours (and bear in mind its nursing shifts so you will be expected to start at like 7am and or even finish at 10pm or work night shifts)
Whilst on placement, you will be expected to learn things about the ward and improve your knowledge on the conditions you are treating. It is also recommended that you learn the major drugs names and uses that are used on your ward as well as the side effects of them and any interactions.
You will also be required at this time to be researching journals and books and working on your assignments. There may also be clinic skills sessions that you will need to attend. Also it is a good idea for you to fit in a few sessions with your mentor during this time to make sure your assignment is on track and such.
You will need to keep a placement diary and again more forms to fill out in relation to your placement. Oh yeah and dont think its normal uni time table as you only get 2 weeks off in the summer and work right up until christmas eve and back again on Jan 2nd.
If you are not taking out a loan, you will probably also need to fit in a job around all of the above (most people do bank nursing shifts so you could be called out at any time)
Basically put, if you want to complete the course, you have to put absolutely everything on hold for 3 years. Its not an easy course, its been proven to be harder to do than a lot of the degrees that are considered hard work (like accountancy and law, but for like half the pay at the end)
So if you are struggling now, how will you be when you surviving on minimal sleep, on the go all the time and having very little time to yourself?
I personally would try to apply for a health care assistant job. You will gain a hell of a lot of experience (the best nurses have often started this way) but you wont have as much stress while you get yourself well.
Because of the disability discrimination act, they cant say no to you just because you have health problems. However if they deem that the course would lead to further harm towards you or the patients then they can refuse you. (hence why scars are accepted but often there is a limit that you have to be 2 years SH free before starting)
Plus they can also say well if you have open wounds, that can be an infection risk to you and a hazard to your patients.
That being said, it is a wonderful profession and if you do complete the course and enjoy what you do, it will set you up for life and a lot of opportunities can arise from it.
(sorry to be so negative, just thought you ought to hear both sides)
I'm in the same position. They can't have access to any of your medical records. And medications and mental health issues are considered medical. But if they feel you are not mentally able to meet the requirements, that would be a different story. But I think you should be fine! Good luck :) Yay nursing <3!
I wanna stay inside all day
I want the world to go away
I'm a first year nursing student and also on meds for depression. For me I made the prospective unis aware I suffer mental health problems and brought it up in each of the interviews as well as on application forms. I pretty much so far have said my full history to at least 6 different people and more yet to come. One of the things uni requested was that I see a psychiatrist as if my mental health declined it would prove that I was already taking all the nessacery steps.
For me we get a 4 week summer and 2 for christmas and easter. Placement is extremely demanding not just emotionally but physically as Kim said most shifts start at 7am and finish between 8.30 and 10pm. Thats a pretty long day plus travelling time at either end means a long day keeps me out of the house between 06.15 and 21.30. Also you are dealing with people at their most vulnerable which is no walk in the park.
Getting a job as a healthcare assistant is a good idea as it really prepares you for working with ill people and you'll soon know if nursing is really the career for you.
Altogether is is a lot of fun but trying to juggle life with the demands of placement and studying/writing essays can take its toll. Please don't think we are trying to put you off.
Sorry if none of that makes sense, I've been to placement today and my brain is all overwhelmed and not working
You will need to keep a placement diary and again more forms to fill out in relation to your placement. Oh yeah and dont think its normal uni time table as you only get 2 weeks off in the summer and work right up until christmas eve and back again on Jan 2nd.
That varies from uni to uni. Nottingham for example follows the same uni time as every other course, at York you get 7 weeks off a year, 3 in summer, every place varies etc
Sarah: Give me the child.
Jareth: Sarah beware. I have been generous up till now. I can be cruel.
Sarah: Generous? What have you done that's generous?
Jareth: Everything! Everything you have wanted I have done. You asked the child be taken, I took him. You cowered before me, I was frightening. I have reordered time. I have turned the world upside down, and I have done it all for you! I am exhausted from living up to your expectations of me. Isn't that generous?
^You have to do a certain number of both practice and placement hours in order to qualify. If you get more holidays then the hours must be made up somewhere, either by long days/ more shifts or else a longer course in general.
hey, i qualified as an adult nurse about 2 and a half years ago, and it just about broke me I ended up being admitted to hospital about 6 months after i qualified,
without getting petty about when you get holidays i think your entitled to 7 weeks and it depends on the uni when you get them.... but you are told when to take them,
like bitter_angel said its and extremely intensive course and runs on a 3 semester program meaning you spend most of your summer either in uni or on placement.
without repeating what's been said above if your mental heath is not stable i would not reccomend starting the course as you WILL struggle and is that really what you need, but as has also been said above get a job as a nursing assistant, you have no idea how much this will help you.... being qualified i have seen many students and it is very obvious which of them have worked as nursing assistants ... they are more confident, knowlageable, and comfortable in their role as a student nurse.
Heya! i just finished my nursing course at the beginning of the year. I can't help you regarding what it needed to be a registered nurse over in the UK, but if you decide to do the program it is tough. Clinical placements, lectures and tutorials does drain you out. Then assignments for the subjects ugh. Also, burn out from the job is high amongst nurses too, so i guess u'll need to watch yourself overall. Anyway, hope the best if u decide to take that route...
