NoOne1233

Dear all, All great info as always, some really great comments for me to think about. I have taken the leap of faith and am now studying an Access course to Nursing in London, Hopefully this can lead me to studying in Canada, I really don't fancy the 4 years of education (unless I can get onto a accelerated course) but I would rather have the better Canadian education and generalise in Nursing.

Dear all, Some fantastic feed back, thank you all very much! However, I need to call upon all your expert advice again! I have decided to sit some A-levels next year and to start studying this year. However I may be doing a distance learning course as it is a tad late to be starting a access to nursing course! There's lots of choice out there when it comes to distance learning. I would be taking biology and psychology to help me gain access to University (School) next year. On some of these distance learning course, some specify that you do not have to sit any practical exams (for biology) there for receiving an a-level but not a statement of "practical competence", for example this course A Level Biology Course | Distance Learning Centre (about half way done the page written in orange "please note") I was wondering if this would hinder my chances of getting into university or a better university, or if anyone has had a similar experience? I was also wondering if anyone (probably from the Uk) knows if it is better to sit exams with the Edexcel board or AQA as both have different syllabuses', is either identified as more useful to nursing? Kr

That is a truly great and very refreshing response, thank you very much for your excellent feedback! I would know, but being a paramedic and a RN must be an incredibly active lifestyle!? Its great to hear a response from someone who also works in the paramedic field, as this is also something I have been considering (and awaiting a student Paramedic opportunity to arise). I have been weighing up both career choices, but I felt like becoming a paramedic in the Uk might limit my progression into a secondary care hospital setting. I have been considering it for so long my family and friends have been trying to talk me out off making this decision, but deep down I feel it is something I really have to do in life to feel completely fulfilled, I think its just the tuition fees that put me off, but I suppose I just have to bite that bullet!

Dear all, First of all, I have to say how much appreciation I have for nurses all over the world! I know this question may not be relevant to a lot of articles on this site but I think this is where I will get the best answer to my question. I would like to ask any nurses out there a few questions about nursing and to see if anyone has been in my situation and changed their career into nursing with a positive outcome. I have been going through a stage in my life where I feel completely unsatisfied with the way my life/career is and now I feel like I really want a change and to do something vocational where I can make a difference to peoples lives and live a fulfilling life knowing what I'm doing is making a positive impact on people and an actual career that gives life a sense of purpose. I know a few nurses and they all seem to love their jobs, I know they work very hard and work long shifts, but they seem to get a lot of time off work and are able to "leave their work, at work" and as a consequence get to live a richer fulfilling life outside of their clinical duties. I've recently been to Vancouver Canada, where I fell In love with the country, its people and the city, I decided I would do anything to live there! After some research I found one of the ways to get there with a permanent visa is through nursing. I wonder if this is true? My situation currently is, that I work for the NHS in a project management role in the UK. I started a degree in film and Tv years ago and dropped out after my 2nd year as I felt it wasn't for me and for the money I defiantly wasn't learning anything! My A-levels aren't great to go to a top university (although I do have the option to attend a small university with the points I have). But I worry a degree from any less then a good to great university would render you unemployable? So here's the dilemmas; 1) UNIVERSITY FEES IN THE UK! I'm by far frightened of having a negative outcome of studying a nursing degree for the ridicules tuition fees you have to pay now. For instance I have searched over a million forums and everyone has a different answer for if nurses are in demand or not? I know the government use to pay for nurse tuition fees, is this still true? If there was a way I could get my fees paid for I don't think I would be as nearly hesitant to maker the leap! 2) After going through more forums I discovered nurses seem to get a really tough deal in the UK and England compared to nurses in the more western parts of the world were average starting salaries seem to start at $72k Canadian (or £42k if your English). As well as having all sorts of perks in other country's. Is it true that English nurses get a really bad deal? I Hope no one minds me seeking advice on this forum, I know some may see this as a place for nurses only, but I came to the conclusion that that the best way to get answers is to ask the people who work in the profession.