Nurses...

[Valentine]

Could you tell me how you find nursing?

Also, if any of you have children, how that works.

Thank you!

[Amber]

I love my job.
It is hard work, both physically and mentally at times.
It is also very rewarding and I just love people really (even the narky ones).

The pay is not THAT bad these days either (well compared to when I started anyway).

The only time during my career that I did'nt have children was when I actually trained. Saying that many of my students at the moment have young ones. They seem to manage ok but it must be difficult to study and look after a family.
Once you qualify, you can work part time/ days/ nights - most jobs are quite flexible.

Let me know if I can be more specific.

[lazymummy]

I'm a nurse! Been qualified for 12 years ( ) and I love it. I was quite lucky, and my previous employer let me drop my hours etc. after I had my children. However, I now work on the staff bank, so I pick my own shifts around my childcare. It works brilliantly, and that is a major advantage of nursing-being able to do bank/agency work!

[Valentine]

Thank you both.

A couple of questions if you dont mind...

When studying, whats the contact time like? And is it unrealistic to expect to do it with a child?

Im looking at the childrens nursing degrees. One uni offers a degree and a diploma.

Oh and i forgot... what kind of pay would i hope to expect?

[girlwomble]

Hi

I'm a student nurse and I love the course. A great place to ask about the courses is http://www.studentnurse.org.uk/forum/index.php (hope it's ok to post the link to the student nurse forum)
In first year we were in 3 days a week when in uni and spent half the time in placement.
Some places run part time or extended courses (ones which don't run over the summer hols as nursing courses only get 7 weeks holiday a year) Most people on my course had children and most were "mature" students
Oh and the degree is means tested if you are in England so you might not get any money depending on your circumstances.
I think starting salary after qualifyong is about £18k

[Cherrypie]

I've replied to your PM, Nay. xx

[Valentine]

Thank you very much!

I have just picked my 6 unis on my ucas application and im just going to see how it goes. If i dont get on any degrees i will give a diploma a go.

Its exciting!

[Tekkencat]

Hi V

Im starting nursing next May at Mcr uni - and ive got 2 kids dont let that worry you - Ive chosen to do the diploma (as i get a bursary and not a loan etc etc) childcare costs can be aided too -

pm me if you need any other info

ps good luck

[Gemiloch]

Mr G is a nurse and he loves it, it is hard work but definatley worth it. The shifts can be a bit rubbish but the NHS are quite comitted to family friendly working so I'm sure you could find ones that would suit you.

for your application

Gemx

[Valentine]

TC... wont i get a bursiery if i do a degree?

the thing that worries me is im not clever enough to do the degree or i might not have the qualifications!