H.V Course

Laurlaur · Sep 9, 2003

Hi,

I'm not yet qualified, but I did a long placement with a HV (which was fantastic - I think it's a great career). She told me that she did a degree in public health at the local uni for a year (or over 2 yrs part time). She used to say "I'm not very academic!" and she did fine. However I think at my uni, you need to be qualified at least 2 years to gain the experience to work as a hv on your own, a staff nurse on my ward wanted to become a hv, she had to have 2 yrs experience and be an E grade, since when you become a Hv you go up to a G grade. Hope this is useful!

Laurlaur

uk_nurse · Sep 9, 2003

Thanks for that info, much appreciated laurlaur. Have looked into the course and got application form and now you only have to have 1 yrs post experience. I loved my health visiting placement too when i was a student, thats why i want to persue that career. Thinking about doing course next sept.

indie · Sep 20, 2003

Go for it uk nurse!

I'm an American RN now, but was a HV in the Midlands for many years before training as a Nurse Teacher. It is the most interesting course and you learn a great deal about yourself.

The work was a little lonely, but HVs are mainly put in a shared office to combat this. But there is huge autonomy and a sense of responsibility for clients and their health needs. From time to time I missed the hands on nursing, but there was plenty to do. Big focus on children, and an OB background is essential, but the HV course I did provided lots of developmental pediatric sessions. I loved the epidemiology and statistics and social policy etc.

I had two major HV positions - one with a totally immigrant inner city population which was a wonderful challenge and one more of a rural and suburban caseload. Each equally interesting.

Incidentally, the pediatric dev. stuff was so well taught that I actually became a ped. nurse here in the USA which I could not have done in the UK as I am not RSCN.

Let us know when you get accepted.