Denise25

Hiya, I start a post grad in nursing this week. I matriculate on thursday, then officially start on Monday 18th Sept. I am leaving a well paid, good job that i have done for 5 years. I felt the same as you initially where i was very nervous about the amount of people who weren't happy, but for every 10 people unhappy...there seems to be atleast 5 happy! Kind of promising. Remember that the NHS is not the only avenue to go down. There's private, schools,etc. I am working part time in a nursing home. ( only been a couple of weeks) It's hard work and i have days when i get annoyed and tired, but it's taken for me to do a few shifts to realise that it's just like any other job. Some days i come home annoyed, some days tired, but most days happy and have felt rewarded. As for jobs.....why not get a part time job bank nursing in hospital or nursing home then you will feel more secure in the knowledge that atleast you have a job there to fall back on for a while after you graduate! Besides......I'm sure something serious will need to happen in the next few years job wise,as they will always need nurses!! Good luck Denise

Hiya, I start my post grad officially on Monday. I matriculate on thursday! I have been very nervous about it, but I worked in a nursing home on saturday and it's going to be a part time job, and although hard, I enjoyed it. I did leave feeling good. I just don't know what to expect from studies etc, but sure i'll get into the swing of things again. I have received time table but that's really it. I've been measured for uniform, had my medical, bought some books, but apart from that.........no other info really. It is daunting, but also exciting. xx

I was watching on GMTV this morning all about shortages in jobs etc in the NHS. It's just so sad that you work so hard, then no jobs available. It used to be that you were guaranteed a job in nursing! When i graduated 5 years ago in Marketing Management...........it took 2 years to get a position, but I had to move from Scotland to London to gain this experience! That was very disheartening, but eventually you get something! I am now about to start the Post Grad in nursing. I've prepared myself for possibly not getting a job straight away once I qualify, but I've got a part time job in a nursing home.........so that's something! It's like this with teaching....teachers struggle to get a job once qualified but they are supposedly short staffed. Maybe a very silly suggestion, but why aren't the government getting a pay cut......the lottery funds ( extra money) going to NHS and why didn't Richard Branson get to take over the Lottery because I'm sure he would have invested the money more wisely!! I know nursing is about politics, but I feel the Government just does not have it's priorities right one little bit. I think it's very important to have money given to museums etc, but a % of money should be given every single week from the lottery to the NHS. This is lives we are talking about here! Tina.......sounds like you need to get the faith back in yourself. Sometimes things get on top of you.........so much that you take everything that everyone says the wrong way and personally! This isn't your fault......just the way you are feeling, but you should feel proud in yourself that you have made it through the 3 years and haven't left mid way! Build yourself back up and I'm sure something will be around the corner that you will enjoy! Denise xx

Yep......it's fear of the unknown! I know things will be hard, but it's the inconsistency of love/hate for nursing/nhs that has me feeling unsettled! But it is preparing me for what lies ahead, so i thank you for all your comments good or bad! Seems a bit like Marmite. There seems no inbetween. Either people are voicing for nursing, or against it! But if now after reading these threads i go into nursing fearing the very worst, then things can only get better! :)

Thank you for being so honest. I am looking forward to it, but Im still terrified. Sure I'll get there! I was a holiday rep for a season a few years ago. I worked from 8a.m. till 2 the following morning without any break. I had 17 properties to visit daily. I was hit 4 times by abusive guests. I dealt with 3 deaths on my properties. I had 3 caberets, a bar crawl, party night, and never had a day or night off for 2 and a half months. We were so short staffed that i did the job of 5 people. I had lots of hospital visits to do at the end of every night. I had to walk to and from work 3 miles each way in the blazing heat....then at least 5 miles around all the hotels because they wouldn't supply me with a bike or car. I would work all day, then do aiport duties all night, then with no sleep work the whole of the following next day! My friend on the other hand went with the same company but to a different resort. She got every afternoon off for siesta, every night off except one, only had airport duty one day, but no nights, got a car and only had 5 properties. She loved it and is still there now. Is this not like the NHS? It depends where you are/Hospital/Area?? My friend turned round to me and said she couldn't believe i had been so negative!!!!!!!!!! Thanks for your feedback tho. x

Well...........After reading the majority of these threads......I feel truly sick! I start nursing in 3 weeks time. I've handed my notice in with my current employer as a Marketing Executive! Although I had done my research.......these comments have made me very apprehensive! I have spoken to a large number of nurses and about 80% of them enjoyed nursing. And although they had a few horror stories....they were nothing compared to this! Unfortunately mableUk..... the thread has turned into ' What is possibly the worst that could happen in the Nhs'. I'm glad your comments have kept me feeling slightly positive :) I suppose all I can hope is that my experience is more positive and I will take note of all points mentioned....and hope the majority of them don't happen to me!!!!!

Great. I'm sure you'll enjoy it. I'm about to do it this year...cant wait to start!! Good luck :)xx

Thanks for all your lovely comments! I really am getting more and more excited and i've got a part time job in a care home a 10 minute walk from my house! I can pick and choose my hours. :) Not the best pay...but I'll be helping the oldies! Speak soon to update xx

Hi all, For anyone that's read my threads before.......I've been accepted on the Post grad Diploma in Adult Nursing Course I start on the 18th September. Can't wait I'm so exited, but getting nervous. Hope I do ok!!!!!! Denise xx :cheers:

I have been extremely homesick before. It was for about 18 months when i lived in Greece until I said to myself " Feeling this terrible pain is a test and will only make me stronger and if i can get through this.....i can get through anything in life". It's true that home is where the heart is, but don't dwell on the fact that you aren't in your home country. I can relate to the pain you feel and it's awful, but the moment you tell yourself that it's a test and you are strong and you will overcome it, the better you will feel. You can do it. Look on it as if you are overcoming a fear or an addiction. Besides England is only a flight away! A place really shouldn't be too important....just remind yourself that the people you love are around you and you have your health! I hope this helps. It helped me greatly. Think positive and when you feel down...Fight it xxxxxx

Thanks for your kind words. It's Dundee that i would be based and starting in September. It's not long now, but just hoping i find out soon so i can hand my notice in at my current job. I am really excited tho, but also nervous, but i'm sure this is normal. Sure i'll know all about it when i have my medical. What's ARU? I'm still getting to know all the terminology.!!! I'm sure it's simple. Speak later. Will let you know how i get on xx

Hi, I had my interview for the post grad in adult nursing yesterday and it went really well I thought! :penguin:I had to do my APl, so i've submitted that today, so hopefully i'll hear within the next week or so. It's to start on the 11th September. It's so exciting...i can't wait! Wish me luck xx

I have an interview on wed 2nd august for the post grad diploma in adult nursing in Dundee, Scotland. I'm getting pretty nervous, but so excited! What was your interview like? Yours seems to have taken a bit of time.....when do you reckon i'll find out if i'm in or not? I need to give notice at my work etc. Why did you need to go to occupational health?? Ta Love xx

Thanks for your words of wisdom. I have been thinking yes i will do it, then no i wont. But i only say no for the wrong reasons. I think i would enjoy it and i think i would be good at it. It's taking the plunge when i've been used to a good wage for a while. Money isnt everything tho! What is the starting wage of a registered nurse? Any other words are greatly appreciated just now xx