Nursing

[hammerman]

My daughter is currently 13 and in year 9. Time is coming for her to choose her options and start considering a career choice or two.

One choice for career is nursing but we don't really know where to start looking to see what she needs in the way of further education, university and general training.

Where would a 16 year old school leaver start ? or where would a 13 year old start now ?

Any info, experiences or help is much appreciated.

Thanks

HM

[saxy_jag]

Nursing registration is a degree level qualification and so for that she will need A levels or equivalent, plus a good set of GCSE results. Biology and Chemistry would perhaps be most likely, with good results in Maths and English Language.

Good secondary subjects would be Sociology, Psychology, Geography (the human aspect) and possibly a language.

[sophie_1003]

If it is not definite that she wants to go into nursing I would recommend she picks subjects she enjoys; obviously English, Maths and Science are compulsory and certainly a language would be useful to some extent but other than that most college courses I believe accept 5 A*-C grades in any subject so long as the compulsory ones at least are within those 5. Beyond enjoyment; any subject which is within the same sort of area as the ones she might like to do at A-levels will probably do so for example; if she will want to study a humanities subject at A-level then probably any humanities subject now will do so say if she likes history and does that for GCSE it probably won't rule out doing Geography but if she did all art-y subjects then they may question why she's decided to do a humanities one.
This is the experience I had at college anyway; school sixth forms may be stricter in their requirements?

[hammerman]

Thank you for your answers

There are two other career choices she is interested in at present. One is to become a qualified hair and beauty technician...just like her sister has done and the other is to be an air stewardess.

[bednobs]

P.E. and science will be useful for hairdressing/beauty
pe english and a language will be useful for air hostess

[bednobs]

ps i was a nurse - i did biology english maths, geography and drama and french at gcse and then went on to do a BTEC ND in health studies

[Buenchico]

For information about careers in the various branches of nursing, click the relevant links here:
https://nextstep.dire...es/JobFamily0028.aspx

For her other possible career options, see here:
https://nextstep.dire...04/Pages/default.aspx
and here:
https://nextstep.dire...18/Pages/default.aspx

For anything else, start here:
https://nextstep.dire...es/Pages/default.aspx

Chris

[scoobydooby]

I believe that as from 2013 the Advanced Diploma in Nursing will cease. therefore, anyone wishing to get into Nursing will need to secure a place at Uni to study at Degree level. I have a daughter just qualified and another about to start. Ideally, you're looking at Maths and English plus a science and/or Psychology/sociology. They insist on a certain number of UCAS points but most will interview before offering a conditional place - so you need some of these subjects just to get through to interview really.

The other two wouldn't require attending University but your daughter would most definitely need to sign up to a good college for hair/beauty.

[rosycider]

Maths and English at GCSE at grade C or above are essential. Plus a science and then however many UCAS points are required for entry, likely to be 300 upwards. All degree will be in place at every University as from 2013 but some such as where i work already are degree only. Experience is an added bonus and will help with understanding what nursing is about. http://www.dayinthelife.org.uk/. Many applicants get to us with no knowledge of what nursing is about these days.

[TLC11]

Hi,
I am a nurse / midwife so hopefully I can be of some help to your daughter.

Firstly, You havent stated where in the country you are, I have trained in Scotland but taken up employment in England as the job situation here for nurses and midwives is very poor.

Nursing can be done as a diploma or a degree at university, however the diploma is currently being phased out. There are four branches of nursing, Adult, Child, Mental health and Maternity (Midwife). Depending on which your daughter wishes to study will depend on the entry requirements. The hardest and most competitve to accsess at present is midwifery.

At 13 your daughter should focus on chosing subjects that she could then continue through to A Level or higher if you are in Scotland. However leave her options open enough to change her careers path should she chane her mind by the time it actually comes to chosing her A Levels.

I can tell you what is required academically in Scotland and then you can work out what the going rate is wherever you are in the country.

The minuimum for adult nursing is 5 standard grades ( which is what your daughter would be doing now) at grade 3 or above. and three highers at minimum C level. If you dauhter wishes to opt for midwifery she will require 4 highers at minimum B level.

Essential subjects must include English, Maths and a Science...Biology or Human Biology is desireable. These are the subjects I would definatley follow through to higher or A Level to give your daughter the upper hand when it comes to chosing establishments to study at.

One thing I would strongly advise is to get some work experience in the area she wishes to fucus on. So when she turns 16, get some voluntary or part time work ina nursing home, maternity establishment or any care setting relevant to the line of nursing she wishes to consider. Most places would happily accept an extra pair of hands! (I know I would!)

The minimum entry age for nursing is usually 17 years, due to the emotional impact of the job.

I hope I have been of some help, If I havent answered anything or if you think of anything more...il be happy to help in any way I can. I have two kids aswell, and I value their education more than most things in the world! :)

[rosycider]

there is no age restriction. You can start at 16( but are unlikley to have the required grades or entry criteria at this age. The Nursing and Midwifery council abolished age of entry about 3 years ago. Emotional maturity is not related to age. We have some very immature 'mature' students where i teach