What are your options if you do not finish your nursing course within the NMC 5 year Rule

[Happy77]

Hi

I have been trying to complete the last year of my undergraduate nursing course, having transferred form diploma to degree. I completed the first 2 years and have 240 credits. I started struggling as soon as I started the 3rd year of the degree and had to suspend from my studies on 2 occasions refusing to give up. I have now reached the time limit without having completed all the work set in the 3rd year due to health problems and anxiety which started as soon as I started my final year. I so very much want to become a nurse and am so passionate and have enjoyed my time on placements but now feel so disheartend. Has anybody else been in a similar situation and can anybody advise me what options I have, if any. Any help and advice would be gratefully appreciated.

[nurseprnRN, BSN, RN]

You can ask the mods to remove your double post.

As to your question, you can apply for an exception, but it's not likely you'll get it. Worth a try, though. If they have more qualified applicants than they can admit, it might be an uphill battle. There's usually a good reason for the time limit to complete a degree in a professional study program.

[Sophz]

Dear Happy77,

I hope I am not too late to respond to your post. I am also in a similar position. My 5 year registration comes to an end this year due to the actions of my University, poor sign-off mentor ship and lack of support and services which had an impact on my health and well-being. Despite all that has happened I been working as a healthcare assistant to take my mind of the matter and enjoy what I feel passionate about. Have you contacted the NMC and tried searching online and contacting Universities/Colleges that accept credit transfers.

[Happy77]

I actually finished all of my placements and my sign off mentor signed me off as being competent to become a nurse which was a great boost. On the downside I was unable to complete 2 of my written assessments due to no access to resources during my time off and lack of time while working full time on my placements. Have you had any luck. I did contact universities regarding credit transfers and most said they did not accept the credits and the course would have to be started form scratch and I would have to do another 3 years (sigh). There are a few that have a 2 year accelerated programme and hopefully in the near future I may try and sign up to one of those.

Please let me know how you are getting on and sorry for the late response