dreamylea

Hi balco, I am currently a 3rd year student nurse (DipHE - adult branch) and i started when i was 21 (am now 23). I thought i was going to be one of the oldest students, but i was so wrong!!! Most people seem to be around the age of 30, the oldest person on our course was 55!! I chose to do the diploma over the degree purely because we get a bursary of about 5500 per year. Students over 26 and those with kids get more so unfortunately you wont be classed as a mature student. I dont know how important it is to have any healthcare experience to get in to the course. I had never worked on a hospital ward before i started and it didnt seem to bother them at the interview! In fact i dont think anyone with half a brain was turned down :chuckle We were just asked to write an essay when we attended our interview day saying why we wanted to go into nursing and what we thought it was all about (they didnt seem to have high expectations of us!!) Also it might be worth knowing that many universities have 2 intakes a year. I am at hertfordshire uni and they have Feb and Sept intakes, and they are both large intakes. I am glad you have finally decided what you want to do. I have never really known what i wanted to do but if i decide that nursing is not for me then i will always have it as a safety net. Feel free to ask if you have any more questions, and good luck! Leanne xx