Just starting out

Silverdragon102, BSN · Apr 25, 2006

I'm a 28 year old male and I have just applied to several universities with the intent on starting a nursing diploma in HE.
I have been offered an initial interview with Nottingham in June and I have two questions:
1) Being a bit older I am naturally concerned that this is my 'last chance' to change career to something that I can stay with for the rest of my working life, with all of the recent redundancies, what is the likelyhood of getting a job in 3 or 4 years time? Are there likely to be more job losses, I would expect that if they started re-employing staff, those with previous nursing experience (i.e. the staff previously made redundant) would be more likely to get the positions.
2) Does anyone have any experience of the interview at Nottingham university with regards to the content, format, testing etc.
Many thanks!
Degeneratemoo

wishing you well on your journey and I am sorry that I can't help you with your second question as I trained many many moons ago and in south yorkshire (not that there is anything wrong with south yorkshire ) but regarding your first question you are not too old to change career paths and I remember in my course we had a few more mature ladies who did fine with studying etc. Regarding jobs in 3-5 years time when you qualify who can tell, yes things are hard at the moment but they may improve there again may not. Only you can decide if the risk is worth it

chapmajc · Apr 25, 2006

I'm a 28 year old male and I have just applied to several universities with the intent on starting a nursing diploma in HE.
I have been offered an initial interview with Nottingham in June and I have two questions:
1) Being a bit older I am naturally concerned that this is my 'last chance' to change career to something that I can stay with for the rest of my working life, with all of the recent redundancies, what is the likelyhood of getting a job in 3 or 4 years time? Are there likely to be more job losses, I would expect that if they started re-employing staff, those with previous nursing experience (i.e. the staff previously made redundant) would be more likely to get the positions.
2) Does anyone have any experience of the interview at Nottingham university with regards to the content, format, testing etc.
Many thanks!
Degeneratemoo

Hi Degeneratemoo

I can't really help you with either question but, I am a mature student (36), in my third year. At my uni there are people that are a lot older, some in their 50's.

As for our interview (LSBU), I think they were mainly after people skills. They got us to work in a group and built up a sort of debate. I played devils advocate to get things going again when it all got a bit boreing.

I think most people who went for the interview got accepted.

As for the recent job losses, well you can get that in pretty much any area, if nursing is what you really want then don't let the job market stop you.

Good luck, Jo

madwife2002, BSN, RN · Apr 26, 2006

Hey Lots of mature students enter nursing now, so dont worry abou tthe age aspect. As far as a job goes in 3-4 years, that is long time to predict anything in the current climate of nursing. It could be a new world by then in the NHS. I am hopeful