Nursing as a mature student?

kittensoft1984

Hi Guys,

Im just wondering if anyone can help me?

I am seriously thinking of doing nursing. I am 24 so would more than likely doing it as a mature student. I have no real experience in the area. I did my leaving cert 6 years ago and while I did quite well in it, I don't have any science subjects. Is this a pre-requisite as a mature student?

And also can anyway tell me how to go about it?

Cheers in advance!

paperclip2

Hi Kittensoft.

Mature applications to Nursing are all handled by the CAO and unfortunately the closing date is the 1st of February. Its unlikely that an application made after this date would be accepted. You could email CAO to check but my experience in this is that they are pretty unbending on this rule. CAO can be contacted via the website www.cao.ie And no, a Science subject is not neccessarily a pre-requiste for a Mature Applicant.

You could apply on the basis of your leaving cert and then you would be in direct competition with all other LC students on an LC points basis. Also you would have to meet subject requirements for nursing which do include a Laboratory Science subject.

If you are unable to apply for entry 09 then you could use this year as an opportunity to gain experience in the caring field as a volunteer in a nursing home for example. You could also look at doing a plc course in Nursing studies which would also open up another application pathway for you for entry in 2010. Practical experience and some form of training in pre-nursing is very helpful as regards strengthening a mature students application for nursing.

Information on plc courses in nursing is available from www.qualifax.ie

The Nursing Careers Centre www.nursingcareers.ie , and An Bord Altranais www.nursingboard.ie websites also have lots of great info on working and training as a nurse.

Larianne

My advice is definitely get some work experience under your belt at a hospital before deciding on a career in nursing.

As a mature student they look for relevant work and life experience. Did you go on to study after your leaving cert? If you've no academic qualifications in the last few years you will need to strengthen this area. Colaiste Dhulaigh is one of the PLC colleges that do a pre-nursing course and DCU hold 10 places on nursing degree courses for the students with the highest marks from the course. See here http://www.colaistedhulaigh.ie/full-time-courses/leisure-tourism-and-social-care/health-science.php Or you could to an access course such as the one available at UCD http://www.ucd.ie/adulted/courses/ex430.htm This covers general science and better if you're interested in a few healthcare courses. I'm currently doing this course and it's really opened a lot of areas of interest for me.

Volunteer work is also looked upon favourably.

I'd suggest contacting the college departments for information and advice as each college may have different requirements.

kittensoft1984

Hey guys,

thank you for the advice and links!

embee

Larianne wrote: »

My advice is definitely get some work experience under your belt at a hospital before deciding on a career in nursing.

As a mature student they look for relevant work and life experience. Did you go on to study after your leaving cert? If you've no academic qualifications in the last few years you will need to strengthen this area. Colaiste Dhulaigh is one of the PLC colleges that do a pre-nursing course and DCU hold 10 places on nursing degree courses for the students with the highest marks from the course. See here http://www.colaistedhulaigh.ie/full-time-courses/leisure-tourism-and-social-care/health-science.php Or you could to an access course such as the one available at UCD http://www.ucd.ie/adulted/courses/ex430.htm This covers general science and better if you're interested in a few healthcare courses. I'm currently doing this course and it's really opened a lot of areas of interest for me.

Volunteer work is also looked upon favourably.

I'd suggest contacting the college departments for information and advice as each college may have different requirements.

It's possibly advantageous to do some healthcare related courses and volunteer work, but it certainly isn't necessary. I didn't, and I got accepted into college to do Midwifery as a mature student.

Larianne

embee wrote: »

It's possibly advantageous to do some healthcare related courses and volunteer work, but it certainly isn't necessary. I didn't, and I got accepted into college to do Midwifery as a mature student.

Well it was DKIT, let anyone in there!

But seriously, the competition for places would be greater for Trinity and UCD if that's where you want to head. So it is wise to check with the individual uni for requirements.

And work experience just so you know what you're letting yourself in for!

embee

Larianne wrote: »

Well it was DKIT, let anyone in there!

But seriously, the competition for places would be greater for Trinity and UCD if that's where you want to head. So it is wise to check with the individual uni for requirements.

And work experience just so you know what you're letting yourself in for!

Seriously?

It's a level 8 honours degree course. Midwifery courses have less places than general nursing places, regardless of what college they're in. The competition for mature student places is fierce across the board. Your "they let anyone in there" comment is both offensive and ill advised. Is a nurse or midwife who qualifies from DkIT any less competent than one who qualifies from UCD or Trinity?

Frankly, I think you've either got a personal gripe with DkIT or a student there, or you're just an out and out snob.

Larianne

embee wrote: »

Seriously?

It's a level 8 honours degree course. Midwifery courses have less places than general nursing places, regardless of what college they're in. The competition for mature student places is fierce across the board. Your "they let anyone in there" comment is both offensive and ill advised. Is a nurse or midwife who qualifies from DkIT any less competent than one who qualifies from UCD or Trinity?

Frankly, I think you've either got a personal gripe with DkIT or a student there, or you're just an out and out snob.

No Embee, not seriously. Hence the Wires totally mixed up there!

I know the competition is greater for mature places, I'm applying myself this year as a mature student, hence advising the OP on doing as much as possible to stand a better chance to get onto the course. There's a greater population in Dublin so there would be higher number of people applying there due to family circumstances etc.

kittensoft1984

Hey guys,

Just another quick question, does anyone know if there are fees associated with doing a course like the pre nursing course?

paperclip2

It depends.

For example if its a FETAC Level 5 offered through a VEC plc college and you dont have an exisiting FETAC Level 5 (NCVA Level 2) qualification then, chances are, that you wont have fees to pay.

If you already hold a FETAC Level 5 or higher level of qualification then you will have to pay fees.

If it is offered by a private college such as the College of Progressive Education then chances are, yes, you will have fees to pay.

Hope this helps a bit.

kittensoft1984

Cheers paperclip!

timmyb

Is it too late to make a Late Application as a Mature Student for Sept 2009 in DCU for Psychiatric Nursing Level 8???
Are there any other requirements? Cost per year etc? Interviews/aptitude tests etc?

Cheers!

Myhairspray

I agree with Larianne! Get as much experience as you can before you start. At least then you (and everybodyelse) will be sure it's what you want.

Larianne

timmyb wrote: »

Is it too late to make a Late Application as a Mature Student for Sept 2009 in DCU for Psychiatric Nursing Level 8???
Are there any other requirements? Cost per year etc? Interviews/aptitude tests etc?

Cheers!

You can apply from 5th March.

I don't know of the requirements. Best to contact the admissions office in DCU.

timmyb

thanks for that Larianne.

kittensoft1984

Larianne wrote: »

Well it was DKIT, let anyone in there!

But seriously, the competition for places would be greater for Trinity and UCD if that's where you want to head. So it is wise to check with the individual uni for requirements.

And work experience just so you know what you're letting yourself in for!

So what type of work expierience do you reckon I could/should do?

Larianne

kittensoft1984 wrote: »

So what type of work expierience do you reckon I could/should do?

Shadow a nurse in a hospital or nursing home or health centre. Contact the hospital, as in ring up and speak to someone, tell them what you're about and ask for a few days shadowing them. If you know of someone working in a hospital etc. they might be able to help put you in contact with the right person.

Thomas_Scanlon

I know this is an old thread so

BUMP
Afaik, the plc course, ie Pre - Nursing, Nursing Studies etc level 5 is an ESF funded Course, so no fees, just Registration, materials, etc.

Hope this helps

Tom

midwife2b?

Larianne wrote: »

Shadow a nurse in a hospital or nursing home or health centre. Contact the hospital, as in ring up and speak to someone, tell them what you're about and ask for a few days shadowing them. If you know of someone working in a hospital etc. they might be able to help put you in contact with the right person.

Almost imposslble to get a job/volunteer work in a hospital.. nursing home may be easier to get into and really is a good way if knowing if its for you.. I just completed the FETAC level 5 nursing studies course and found it amazing..i got to do work exp in a nursing home which helped when doing the 'skills and experience' part of the aptitude test..

The application for nursing/midwifery is a long journey (on the rollercoaster of emotions!!) but very worth it if this is your dream..iv wanted to do midwifery all my life and after leaving school in 2003 with no leaving i thought it was only a dream but now iv secured a place in NUIG (midwifery) and it has all been worth it!!

Larianne

Here's a website I found with organisation looking for volunteers around Galway. You might not be able to assist in the opportunity advertised but contact them and see if there is any way you could help out, maybe at weekends, after work etc.

http://www.volunteergalway.ie/content/blogcategory/21/39/24/48/

monstermonster

ok where do i start,

I am a guy in his 30's looking to study nursing next year. I have no degree so no fees but registrations. all good so far yeah!

But I also have 2 kids and a missus and a mortgage. Is it really feasible for someon like me to study the degree money wise?? How do people do it?? I am working as as Care Assistant in a private nursing home and know exactly what response I will get from them if I ask for sponsorship or other assistance e.g. Dont let the door hit your a**e on your way out. They wont even pay for me to study FETAC level 5.

So how do people do it. I am not work shy and I really want this. But can I afford it?? Any ideas?? Anyone?? Do people take out loans to cover mortgage or something?? I know you are paid for your hospital placements in 4th year so its really the first 3 long years on the breadline I am worried about.

sassypsych

Hi monster:D

You could apply for a maintenance grant, but it is means tested dependant on your income form the year before you go to university. So if you apply for 2011 then it would your income from Jan - Dec 2010. If you go to studentfinance.ie and click on maintenance grant you can see all the requirements and income limits etc. The maximum grant for someone with 2 kids is €3,250 if you live over 24km from the college or €1,300 is you live closer, and that is if your household earnings are under €41,110.

Apart from that there isn't much else. You could work part time (if you get time!!). The course is pretty full on and you have to do placements but a lot of students work weekends especially doing agency work as HCA's etc.

smilerxxx

Sassy I think you are single handly responsible for all us student nurses (oh my god i just wrote that for the first time) figuring out our grants and applications .

Monster I applied this year and i got my place in Mental health nursing. This time last year I was thinking like you. Albeit I do not have the outgoings you have, but I was terrified I couldn't afford it. I am not married and I don't have kids, so I can't advise on that part. but I can say I think its a calling and if you think you really want to do it, start saving big time. Applications open in dec for sept 2011. As per what Sassy said, studentfinance.ie is great for figuring out what you are entitled to grant wise.

www.nursingcareers.ie will guide you through the application process
Hope this helps a little

sassypsych

smilerxxx wrote: »

Sassy I think you are single handly responsible for all us student nurses (oh my god i just wrote that for the first time)

It is madness saying it isn't it!!!:D