[xxamethystxx]

Hi, I'm thinking about applying for an undergraduate Mental Health Nursing degree for 2012 (probably 2013) entry but I have no experience. What kind of work experience would be relevant? Also, how much work experience should I have before I apply for uni? I know it varies depending on the uni but I mean as a general guide.

[km100]

I have not applied for such a post, but I know of several people who have applied to nursing with no experience at all! However, if the uni is more competitive it cannot hurt to have experience. Most health care jobs look for basic experience in care, so even doing a bit of work in a residential/nursing home looks brilliant. If I were you, I would try and do some (nothing excessive) voluntary work in a mental health charity (something I have actually done) and/or some shadowing in your local mental health hospital.

They will not expect you to have massive amounts of work experience because a lot of people applying will have been in education full time up until their degree and thus will only have had summer holidays etc to get some experience in. However, I would not worry too much about gaining loads of experience. You could perhaps email the nursing department of the universities you are interested in and ask them what they would look for - that way you can make yourself perfect for the specific unis you want to go to.

Good luck

[xxamethystxx]

Ok, I will do. Thanks

[~ Purple Rose ~]

Any sort of experience with people is good, because you will be able to develop skills such as communication. More specific experience would include care homes, day centres, charities like Mind/Rethink, local support groups etc.
What is important is that you can reflect on your experience and demonstrate an understanding of the career.

[xxamethystxx]

Ok, thanks I was thinking about doing some voluntary work for Mind, I've already got an application form somewhere lol

[daisy_1]

(Original post by xxamethystxx)
Ok, thanks I was thinking about doing some voluntary work for Mind, I've already got an application form somewhere lol

I have exactly the same problem! I want to apply for Mental Health Nursing in 2012, and I'm finding getting voluntary work harder than getting a real job. I work 48 hours a week at the moment, so I have no idea how to squeeze in voluntary work as well. I sent off an application to Mind but they have yet to get back to me... I work at a hospital at the moment in medical records, and wondering whether a university would take this into account

[xxamethystxx]

(Original post by daisy_1)
I have exactly the same problem! I want to apply for Mental Health Nursing in 2012, and I'm finding getting voluntary work harder than getting a real job. I work 48 hours a week at the moment, so I have no idea how to squeeze in voluntary work as well. I sent off an application to Mind but they have yet to get back to me... I work at a hospital at the moment in medical records, and wondering whether a university would take this into account

I think working in a hospital would look great on your UCAS application, even if it is just admin work because it shows you know what it's like to work in a hospital and are more aware of their procedures and the roles of different members of staff. I'm trying to get a job in a hospital, I've been applying to pretty much every single vacancy I'm qualified for on the NHS website! I've got an interview for a Healthcare Support Worker job so if I don't get that, I'm going to send off my application for voluntary work to Mind. If I were you, I wouldn't worry too much about doing voluntary work as you're already employed in a healthcare setting. If you're not sure though, try emailing the admissions department of the unis you're applying for.

[daisy_1]

(Original post by xxamethystxx)
I think working in a hospital would look great on your UCAS application, even if it is just admin work because it shows you know what it's like to work in a hospital and are more aware of their procedures and the roles of different members of staff. I'm trying to get a job in a hospital, I've been applying to pretty much every single vacancy I'm qualified for on the NHS website! I've got an interview for a Healthcare Support Worker job so if I don't get that, I'm going to send off my application for voluntary work to Mind. If I were you, I wouldn't worry too much about doing voluntary work as you're already employed in a healthcare setting. If you're not sure though, try emailing the admissions department of the unis you're applying for.

Thanks, you've made some good points there that I will definitely try and weave into my application! Mind have just got back to me actually, I decided to email the contact at my local branch and she got back to me immediately with a job role and offer of an informal interview which was strange! I've also applied to volunteer at my local hospice as it's only down the road from the hospital.

I emailed Salford and UCLAN about their mental health nursing courses, and salford said I had a good background and working for Mind and in a setting where you provide care for people would be good. UCLAN said that they are looking for people who have paid work in the health and social care setting if possible, or people who have voluntary experience at mental health charities such as Mind, but they said the offer of a place hinges in the interview - so it's probably good getting good voluntary experience so you have plenty to talk about.

Good luck!

[maturestudy]

In my experience volunteering for Mind/Rethink would be easier to get into than a mental health NHS trust. You should definitely try and get some experience, not just from the point of getting a place but to ensure it really is a suitable career for you.

[minal patel x]

hi, im also going to do an undergraduate mental health nursing degree in 2012. im also searching places for work experience as some unis want aleast 2 weeks worth of experience. im trying in nursing homes, hospital and gp's. it is better to get work experience anyway as you can talk about it in your univeristy interviews. can someone tell me what unis are they applying to ??x

[amerrill]

Hi, I have got on to a mental health nursing degree this year at UCLAN, I am 20 and have no experience in a nursing/hospital setting, I don't have fantastic a-level results either but I still got on it, it's all about the interview really and being able to show how much you want it, that you've done your homework, also don't babble on in discussions or one to ones, they want concise people not loudmouths who talk over each other about rubbish x

[minal patel x]

thanx that helped me x i thought work experience is really important.

[daisy_1]

(Original post by amerrill)
Hi, I have got on to a mental health nursing degree this year at UCLAN, I am 20 and have no experience in a nursing/hospital setting, I don't have fantastic a-level results either but I still got on it, it's all about the interview really and being able to show how much you want it, that you've done your homework, also don't babble on in discussions or one to ones, they want concise people not loudmouths who talk over each other about rubbish x

How are you finding it, as I was considering applying to UCLAN? I am also worried about the costs of travelling to and from placements, and also the fact that you can't get a part-time job?

[cberry]

Hi Guys,

Useful experience would be anything in the NHS if possible, e.g. STR worker, nursing assistant etc.

Mind or Rethink would be great, but also maybe have a look at Nacro and any other voluntary posts in charities, e.g. mental health, survivor's networks, support organisations for people with disabilities, people who have experienced crime, people with physical health problems.

Nursing or children's homes would also be helpful I think.

Good luck.

[Jenx301]

ive applied to a mental health nursing course.. ive done quite a bit of volunteering with
- childline
- a primary school
- oxfam
- a cafe for people with learning difficulties and mental health problems

[Bubble87]

If you have no experience of nursing at all I recommend getting some. An awful lot of people drop out of nursing courses because they don't really know what it's like. If you decide to wait til 2013 I'd recommend getting a job as a healthcare assistant, even if you just go on the bank and work as and when you can.