want to be a nurse

eirthjona · Feb 10, 2004

Hi Nomi

Have you cheched the rank score they change from year to year.

I know that here in brisbane last year they had a rank entry to griffith at 82 this year it was 87 the same for QUT last year it was 86? this year it was 81.

Eirthjona

nomi · Feb 11, 2004

Hi Nomi
Have you cheched the rank score they change from year to year.
I know that here in brisbane last year they had a rank entry to griffith at 82 this year it was 87 the same for QUT last year it was 86? this year it was 81.
Eirthjona

Hi

I am not sure what you mean by this. I know the rank went up but how is that meant to help me. The internal course went up by 6 points and the external was 10 points up on last years internal course.

As a mature age entry student this doesnt affect me as I am scored on a different system. I had to sit a test I did better than 72% of all other people.

That is how they tell you your score as a percent of how well you did against everyone else.

The problem is so many ppl wanted to do nursing this year. As mature age you are also competing against ppl who have employment experience in nursing ie, enrolled nurses, etc etc

eirthjona · Feb 11, 2004

Hi

I am just like you an outsider getting in my rank was 88 but my stat test was 91% better than others,(and I failed year 12) the rank is different they take most of the test then they also add on if you have done uni or worked in health before to raise the rank score. Rank affects mature age people. OP affects year 12 students.That is how they work it here in Brisbane. IF you are here I would ring up QTAC. my age is 32.

Have you thought about getting in lower ie certificate in nursing and then using that to get in to Bachelor of nursing next year? jsut an Idea.

:)

nomi · Feb 11, 2004

Hi

I am in South Australia it is different here. I cant enrol into anything until next year to get in to TAFE to do a certificate etc you have to apply the same as Uni and its all closed off for this year.

eirthjona · Feb 11, 2004

S... not good I am sorry that you didn't get in. I hope that next year you will.

emmy · Feb 11, 2004

Hi nomi

I'm sorry you didn't get it, I know exactly how you feel as I applied to do the midwifery course, I would've got in last year with my grade point average but this year I wasn't competitive enough.

You should ring SATAC and ask them what your grade point average is once it has been converted (this is what I did last year as I'm not from Australia and my entry was based on my diploma) from there you can work out your TER score, at least that way you know what you are up against.

Good luck for next time, don't give up, if it's what you really want to do you'll get there!

Emmy

nomi · Feb 13, 2004

Hi

thanks for your posts - i am not too upset I mean I would have loved to have started this year externally but I wouldnt have been going if I had got into the internal course.

I only put in one preference which definitely let me down. I put in more preferences after the first round but then of course you are not granted the same consideration as everyone else who put the preferences in first.

I actually did get into my 5th preference and it is roughly same points as internal nursing so I am sure I would have got in to internal nursing if i had it put it in in time for first round.

This year I am saving really really hard so I can afford to quit my full time job next year and study full time.

I am just annoyed more than anything that my degree has been pushed back a year.

Good luck to you both with your studies

emmy · Feb 14, 2004

Hi nomi

This year when you apply make sure you apply for both internal and external as once you are in you can change it (there is also a mixed mode whereby you can go internal and external), I went from internal to external as I found it easier with three kids. Basically you are in control of what method you study as you enrol online.

I know some people who work full-time and study full time, I don't know how they do it but they do so you may be able to stay working if you wish as long as you can get time off to do the clinicals.

Just remember when you get in, and you will, that the first few weeks you will be exhausted and that is when loads quit, just know that everyone (well us oldies anyway) feels the same and it does get better.

Good luck :)

nomi · Feb 14, 2004

Hi

Thanks for the reply.

I cant believe you can do that apply for the internal course and then go externally ! its like 5 - 6 points difference in the TER score. Oh well I know I will definitely get in next year.

I just put in some preferences in the second round to see how I would go and I am positive I would have got in to the internal course no worries.

If I had started this year I could have only gone external and I would have been working full time and just taken the time off when I had too.

I am really excited cause next year I will be quitting my job to be a full time student and I cant wait. I would have worked for 10 years full time by then iin the same job can you believe it.

Do you find the workload to be the same as say working a full time job.

I have to say although im disappointed I think it would have to be easier being an internal student.

Why do so many people drop out straight away is it the realisation of what nursing is all about or just the amount of work ?

Nomi

emmy · Feb 14, 2004

Hi

I have to say that the work load is intense with heaps of reading. They say that the work load is about the same as a full time job but I think it may be more. It depends though on the individual and how much you want to put into it of course.

A lot of time is wasted finding the readings that you need. If you are external you are provided with the readings which is good. I plan to study externally this year but go to lectures as well, this means I won't have to go to tutorials - I found these a waste of time but that's my opinion. Going external also means I won't have to give presentations, something which I hate. On the down side of that of course is that internal students get 20% towards their mark for contributing in tutorials. So it really is a personal choice. You may like to study certain things internally and other things externally. If you look at the website for UNISA and type ibnu under program you can look at each course individually and some courses have their outlines for internal/external mode, these will give you an idea as to what is involved for that subject.

As to why people leave, I think it is mainly to do with the fact that it can be a bit overwhelming in the beginning, getting hold of readings, working your way around the library site etc, but it does get better. One good thing is that you get a really long summer holiday!

Feel free to email me if you want, I don't want to give my address over this BB but if you go my profile I think there's a way of getting in touch.

Anyway good luck.

:)

Amber_student_nurse · Apr 11, 2005

Hi Noni, Im a first year nursing student and was just wondering what uni's you applied to. You talked about the TER score so im guessing your in WA.

Have you thought about Notre Dame University? It has the best bach Nursing course in the state and your TER results are not the most critical aspect when being evaluated. Notre take a more holistic view with things like your character, motivation and reasons for choosing nursing. They do interview you and you need to write a short essay. I have had many comments from nurses and hospitals on the quality of notre dame students due to the extended practical times. It is a fantastic uni so if you are in WA dont forget to apply here. Im 19 and i failed my TEE due to my stupidity in that year and went on to study children's services at TAFE and I got in with no past experience in nursing. You talk about drop out rates. It is very demanding and challanging and you really need to WANT it BAD ENOUGH. It is a fantastic course though and im loving every minute of it.

Good luck and let us know what happens.

Amber