Considering Nursing

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Hi Everyone

I'm on here to pick the brains of you lot, and hopefully to get some advice whilst I'm at it! Just recently, I completed University with an undergraduate BA (Hons) degree in Sociology, at 2.1 classification. Prior to this, I attained 3 A-Levels, all at Grade C and above and I also hold 7 GCSE's at Grade C and above - including Maths, English Lit/Lang, and Science.

However, although I have now completed University, I have always had an interest in becoming a Nurse...but I never followed through with it as I wasn't sure what I really wanted to do in life when I left college, career wise. I feel as though Nursing is and has always been a career that is suited to me and my sensitive personality.

I have voluntary work within the Mental Health sector, which I thoroughly enjoy and find intellectually stimulating. However, I also reside virtually on the doorstep of a large regional teaching hospital that is affiliated to my local university, and Clinical Nursing has always been of interest to me as well, especially within the Emergency/High-Dependency settings. I'm torn between the two at the moment - whether to apply to become and RGN or an RMN, as I have heard that there are slightly more job opportunities within General, coupled with the practicality of living next to a teaching hospital - yet I feel as though my heart lies within the Mental Health sector. I also consider myself to be quite squeamish at times, especially with tasks of, shall we say a more personal nature! I feel as though (perhaps naively?) that Mental Health may involve less of this?

My local university (which has a very good reputation!) offers a General Nursing course and I match their entry requirements (with regard to my qualifications) down to a tee - yet they also say that they require evidence of "a clear commitment to Nursing" and " good awareness of the Nursing profession" within my UCAS personal statement (I hope to apply this September for 2011 intake) I've always been a bit put-off by this as I have no work experience within a health care setting, apart from a stint I did at the hospital when I was in school.

So I'm just wondering whether work experience within a care home or care-based setting is absolutely necessary, or would they take my qualifications and voluntary work into account instead? My voluntary work is for an emotional support helpline and doesn't involve any hands-on work, but nevertheless I consider it to be important as without doubt it has helped me by enhancing my communication skills and maintaining a non-judgemental attitude towards the service users, and I'm almost certain I could mention this in my PS, couldn't I?

I guess my main overall question is - do you think would I be a suitable candidate for Nursing?

And what branch do you think would suit me most - practically and personally - General or Mental Health? I honestly cannot see myself enjoying any other profession apart from Nursing - no other career has ever really appealed to me as much as this one so I hope you guys do think that I should do it, I really do have a tremendous respect for you all, you are the backbone of the health care profession and one day I would love to be working with you in whatever branch I eventually fall into!

Any advice or suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks in Advance,

John.

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