GRRR, just need to moan sorry!

[tigwig]

Well it looks like my dream of becoming a midwife is out of the window. Because it's so long since I was last at college I have to do an access course on top of the 3yr degree course. I looked into this today at my local college with the idea of doing it part time for 2 years so I could still work 4 days of the week and earn some money. The cost of the course is £1413. I dont qualify for any help with this cost (oh but I can pay in monthly installments yeah right). I also wont get any help in paying for the childcare I would need 1 day a week either. I was told that things are going to get worse too financially for students so by the time I would be doing the midwifery in 2013 I've no chance! Then to top it all off the college has a case study on the back of the course info telling you all about how some man came from Zimbabwe to pretty much what I want to do, had 5 kids and is now a mental health nurse. He obviously had help to pay for this not like me who gets zilch. Or maybe he didnt have a huge mortgage and other big bills to pay. Right thats it rant over I feel better now (slightly).

[Bobbisox]

awww Tiggs, that's such a shame, I hope something positive turns up for you

[marval]

Sorry to hear that, it does seem unfair

[NOX]

are you sure you can't argue the case further for not doing an access course (assuming you have the appropriate A levels). It is somtimes possible to do some arm twisting, as these access courses are a total waste of time and really scupper a lot of people's ambitions and people know it.

[tigwig]

I dont know really. I spoke to the admissions team yesterday and she said you have to have studied in the last 3 years. I did my BTEC in 1996. God knows what difference it makes. I always thought it would be encouraged to go back into education as a mature student but it isnt, its near on impossible!
The other thing that really really annoyed me was I was asked if I had a level 2 qualification. If I hadnt have had this I would have got the access course for free! Whats that all about?

[rowanwitch]

tigwig.... if you need to work while 9you learn this route will get you where you want to be... will take a little longer ...
look at getting work even part time as a health care assistant after a year they should let you do the NVQ level 3 el 3 in care this then allows you to apply for secondment to nurse training (the trust I work for pay 80% of top band 3) after the common bit 18 months take the midwifery branch. If its a dream you will find a way to do what it takes... the other option is to do the access course as a distance learner you can usually pay for a module at a time as and when you can afford it,,, there are also charities which offer bursuries they take a bit of tracking down though....