toadflax

Thanks so much for your helpful reply. I am sorry I didn't get back to you before. Yes, I see what you mean about TV progs such as ER, Holby, etc and there not being an LD equivalent. I can see how that could well affect popularity. I feel I've made the right choice for me and I like what you say about really getting to know your patients and no 2 days being the same. I'd like that. Also being in different environments from time to time would suit me, I think. Well, I am pleased to report that I have been given a conditional place!! Just found out today. It's subject to a criminal record check and my health assessment. My health is very good but I really could do with losing a couple of stone so will try to shift that before August which is when I get assessed. There's a bit of incentive for me! The other news I have is that last Sat I went to see about a part-time job (18 hours over Fri eve and Sat/Sun day) at a centre for people with LDs. I met some of the people there. Several have cerebral palsy to varying degrees. I liked the manageress immediately and got a good vibe from the place. It's charity-run and does stuff like hold birthday parties for their patients and encourages any relatives to come up and spend time with them. They also get to have their rooms decorated as they wish. One of their patients have just moved out into the community. I guess she wasn't so severely disabled as some, but that must be a great feeling to be able to do that for someone. They also offer respite care. I should be starting there soon. If I like it, it'll be great experience and it's a bit extra income to top up my bursary. I feel so happy and psyched that I am finally taking control of my working life. I've spent 15 years bored to tears in admin and have to get out!!! :)

Thanks for your reply! I think in the US it would be called Disability Nursing? It would be nursing people (mainly out in the community) who have anything such as Autism, Down's, etc. We called it Learning Disabilities in UK. Thanks for your good wishes. Fingers crossed, eh?!

I was sad to read your post (and everyone else's) who has/is suffering depression. I've been there a couple of times and in fact am only just emerging from the worst spell ever. Yes, it can seem crazy to those who haven't been there. My mum had a nervous breakdown when I was 14 - it was scary to see how she lost interested in us, so unlike her. I won't go into all the pressures she was under at the time, but a lot of us would also have buckled a bit under the strain. Now I am 36 and have been there myself. It's not always the "worst" stuff that seems to bring it on. Or maybe it is, but is doesn't manifest until later. Sometimes the straw that breaks the camel's back can seem like nothing to others but it's the fact that it IS the last straw that makes it so powerful. I used to be good at bottling stuff up and carrying on appearing cheerful and happy. A lot of my friends used to think, "lucky ......... she never has ANY problems!". Trouble is, years later, that tactic didn't work any more. Seems to me, NeedsHelp that you are seriously depleted from being the caregiver to more than one person. That's TOUGH. Far from being selfish, my guess is you probably haven't been selfish ENOUGH! You WILL get through this - the support here is incredible and you need to explore every avenue to find your answer - acupuncture, therapy, your doctor - everything. Please invest this time and effort in yourself for a change. I noticed you said you'd been an anorexic? I don't know the circumstances but I believe that starving your body of nutrients can be a cause of depression so bear that in mind and work out a healthy eating programme - less junk and lots of nice wholefoods. Listen to me preaching - I have put on nearly 70 pounds during my bout of depression which I am now ready to tackle. I've been awful to my husband and my social life has all but trickled out. But I am on an upswing and am fighting back. I got an e-book which was helpful. If you think this would help you in any way, please email me and I'll send it to you. You are very important and special, NeedsHelp - give yourself the same consideration and help that you have so freely given to others. (((NeedsHelp)))

Hi Guys! I was the poster who asked the question about tall nurses. I was made to feel very welcome at this site and to keep everyone up to date on my progress. Well, I've had my interview at nursing college here in Scotland yesterday. Went very well, I felt. I am still very keen. My age (36) seemed to be a very positive thing with them. They said they rarely get 17 year old school leavers which was the norm years and years ago. They emphasised the placements and the fact that there is a compulsory distance placement which could last up to 15 weeks where I'd have to live away from home (and pay my own expenses). None of this was a problem for me - it's just me and hubby anyway and I love adventures. However, I think for those with families this is a tough nut to crack. I have a younger friend nearly through her course and she couldn't have managed without her mum helping out with babysitting, etc. Anywaaaaaaaaaay, I won't get the result until May/June. Aargh.... patience! In the meantime, I was at an interview today for a Nurse Auxiliary at the local (tiny) hospital here. Will hear result later today. The good news is even if I don't get the job, I can join their "bank" and work shifts as a nurse aux to gain experience. This could also become my part-time job if I get on the course this year. So it's all good! QUESTION: I have elected to do Learning Disability Nursing. We have to choose our specialty going in which i think is a bit strange. I was told that out of 120 students only 11 wanted to do LDN and last year that figure was only 3. Why is it poorly subscribed? Is it because you are more likely to work out in the community and most would-be nurses want to be in a hospital setting and in the more "exciting" wards? I think the fact that I've obviously chosen a less popular specialty will increase my chances of a place. Thanks again for all your good wishes! :)

Hi Everyone! Well, I had my interview at Nursing College in Scotland this morning. I felt it went very well - it was informal and friendly. Unfortunately I have to wait until May/June to hear back. I also have a job interview tomorrow afternoon at my local hospital for a Nurse Aux to get me started.......... I am 36 and my main work background is in admin so it'll be quite a change for me. At the interview they told me that out of 120 candidates only 11 were applying to do Learning Disability Nursing and the previous year that figure was only 3. Are there any LD Nurses out there who can give me a bit more insight into a typical day, please? I am surprised we can't decide in our 3rd year what to specialise in (ie, after we've done placements to get a feel for the work) but we have to decide going in and I picked LD. Why is it poorly subscribed? Is it simply that most would-be nurses want to be on the busy wards in a hospital setting? Many thanks for any replies.

Hi, it's me again! I just wondered what any UK nursing students think about the fact that we have to choose on our application whether we want to go into Geriatric/Mental Health/Learning Disabilities/Adult Nursing/Paediatric. I thought that students would cover the same 2 years and only then be asked what specialty they wanted to get into. I had a friend do this course (didn't pass his finals tho) 10 years ago and if I understood him correctly then you didn't decide until you'd gone through your placements. That makes so much more sense to me. I've plumped for Learning Disabilities on my application. But it says you really have to be sure as you can't really change your mind later. Except for doing an extra year's retraining I suppose. I think I've made the right choice but only time will really tell. However, if I decide after qualifying that I'd rather work in ER, say, what happens then? Do I need to do some extra training or what? I didn't find the CATCH booklet too helpful in that respect. Just wondered if anyone else has found it difficult to decide so soon esp with no experience whatsoever. Also, was it different years ago? Could that be something to do with our high dropout rate now?

LOL! This made me laugh. Thank you all so much for making me feel so welcome and giving me the benefit of your expertise. This is going to be a fantastic place to come for support all through this massive career change. I am going to my local nurisng home tonight to see if they can get me started with a few shifts.

Thanks to you ALL for your replies. That's settled then :) I can't tell you how often I've heard people say that tallies are no use for nursing, labouring, blah, blah and that it's better to be short and stocky with a strong back. Seems they were wrong! It's great to get advice from the horse's mouth, so to speak. kermit27 - it's nice to know there IS a life after being an office drone! Glad you're enjoying your course so much. Thanks for your advice. I stayed in London for 5 years and LOVED it. Didn't leave from choice either, unfortunately. I can't bear boredom - think it was lack of confidence and direction that kept me in the office for so long. I get excited just thinking about starting the course!

Hello Everyone! I love your site. I'd appreciate any advice you can give me. You will see from my profile I am 36. I have just applied to nursing school here in UK. I have enough quals to get a place, I reckon, but I have no experience. I have been thinking for years about getting into this field and have finally decided to go for it. Mid-life crisis?? My years of admin work have literally bored me to tears. I get NO satisfaction from it at all. I am currently trying to get into my local nursing home as a care assistant as it'll give me much needed experience and a feel for the work. Also, if I am too late for this year's nursing intake I'll gain SVQ quals while I wait. My question is - is 5 ft 10" too tall for this sort of work? My mum always thought I was too tall for this work. I don't know. I realise lifting is involved and I am not a weakling or anything. I've had the odd muscle spasm from being hunched at a desk for 15 years tho :chuckle I have heard that back trouble gets a lot of nurses and I'm a tall girl. My husband's aunt was a midwife at 6ft 1" and is very hunched now (late 60s) with osteoporosis but this may have happened regardless?! Help!