Contemplating a degree in healthcare.

I'd try and get some experience before committing to an academic course, and consider some of the healthcare support worker roles like Maternity Support Worker that don't require a degree. The NHS careers site is a good place to start.

Then:

Volunteer
Many hospitals (including children's hospitals if you live in a major city), GP surgeries and care homes have volunteers helping out, the commitment can be as little as one shift a week. This gives you a chance to spend some time in a health care setting, spend time around sick people(!), and build up examples of using your communication skills, patience and empathy in a healthcare setting (useful when applying for courses or jobs).


Other jobs/experience to consider:

Part-time/full time options are really going to depend where you live, what's available and the supply of other candiates.

Health care assistant (HCA) in a GP office
I do this, with a couple of 8 hour shifts a week (on zero-hours contract), but I knew the GP before from volunteering, and I job-share with other people. We do diabetic footchecks, basic health checks (i.e. over 40 health checks), vaccinations, record updates / admin, stock-taking. The GP surgery required a 2 day practical training course (they organised this) followed by 2 weeks full-time shadowing (I took vacation from my other job). Plus there are a bunch on online NHS training modules to do too, none are that difficult, there are just a lot of statutory ones the first time you get an NHS job (your employer will send you a list of what to take), you can work through at your own pace, they are assessed by multiple choice questions and you simply retake if you fail until you pass. The vast majority of your work will be with older people, not children (at least in my experience).

HCA in a hospital
Some different tasks to working in a GP office - personal care (washing, toileting, helping with meals), monitoring vitals, serve food, make beds, helping patients walk/get exercise - you will probably be on your feet all day. Typically these are12 hour shifts, mix of FT and PT options. Good if you want to see what hospital work is like. Unless your current job is part time you'd probably need to quit to manage this on top, so worth considering perhaps after gaining other care experience. The lowest band will train you on the job. You could try and get an HCA job in a children's hospital, it's likely competitive and they will probably want previous experience. If you start as an HCA in a hospital with a large paediatric department then there's more chance you'll be able to request a transfer in the future.

In all the above you can work towards the NHS care certificate.
If you end up as a HCA in a hospital there are pathways like apprentiships that can be a path to a career in nursing while still having a salary.

In-home care assitant.
If you want extra flexibility then working as an in-home carer can be as little as an hour in the morning or night depending how many clients you are prepared to take on, it's best to reach out to an agency as they will train you and find you work. Typical tasks would be washing and dressing, helping someone eat a meal, toileting, light domestic tasks, monitoring health conditions, changing catheter bags, record keeping etc. Often people needed care at home are elderly, have either mental health conditions like demnetia or mobility issues. The churn rate is really high so you should be able to get something no matter where you live, and the advantage is it can fit around your existing job, there will most likely be some online training modules of which the academic content will be minimal.

Care home HCA
You can also work as a care assistant in a care home or a nursing home (sicker patients or those needing more specialist care), not all will require previous experience.

Academic background:
If you decide you want to do a degree, then research requirements for nursing or midwifery courses. Do you have the relevant GCSEs and A-levels or will you need to do an access course?

Hi, I am currently a SEN teaching assistant- have been doing it for about 10 years. I'm a
mum to 3 young children. I've been considering getting back into studying to do something in healthcare. I've always wanted to get into nursing or midwifery, but am open to other healthcare options but haven't had the confidence to pursue as the full time hours are quite daunting with children and family life. I'm looking for healthcare courses that aren't so intense academically, it's been a while since I last studied and am looking for something easy going. I've also been looking into Healthcare Assistant jobs to get me started- but not sure about part time or flexible hours. I'd just like some advice or experiences of anyone who has gone onto study something part time in healthcare and balanced their home/work life. If it's even possible!

I'd try and get some experience before committing to an academic course, and consider some of the healthcare support worker roles like Maternity Support Worker that don't require a degree. The NHS careers site is a good place to start.

Then:

Volunteer
Many hospitals (including children's hospitals if you live in a major city), GP surgeries and care homes have volunteers helping out, the commitment can be as little as one shift a week. This gives you a chance to spend some time in a health care setting, spend time around sick people(!), and build up examples of using your communication skills, patience and empathy in a healthcare setting (useful when applying for courses or jobs).


Other jobs/experience to consider:

Part-time/full time options are really going to depend where you live, what's available and the supply of other candiates.

Health care assistant (HCA) in a GP office
I do this, with a couple of 8 hour shifts a week (on zero-hours contract), but I knew the GP before from volunteering, and I job-share with other people. We do diabetic footchecks, basic health checks (i.e. over 40 health checks), vaccinations, record updates / admin, stock-taking. The GP surgery required a 2 day practical training course (they organised this) followed by 2 weeks full-time shadowing (I took vacation from my other job). Plus there are a bunch on online NHS training modules to do too, none are that difficult, there are just a lot of statutory ones the first time you get an NHS job (your employer will send you a list of what to take), you can work through at your own pace, they are assessed by multiple choice questions and you simply retake if you fail until you pass. The vast majority of your work will be with older people, not children (at least in my experience).

HCA in a hospital
Some different tasks to working in a GP office - personal care (washing, toileting, helping with meals), monitoring vitals, serve food, make beds, helping patients walk/get exercise - you will probably be on your feet all day. Typically these are12 hour shifts, mix of FT and PT options. Good if you want to see what hospital work is like. Unless your current job is part time you'd probably need to quit to manage this on top, so worth considering perhaps after gaining other care experience. The lowest band will train you on the job. You could try and get an HCA job in a children's hospital, it's likely competitive and they will probably want previous experience. If you start as an HCA in a hospital with a large paediatric department then there's more chance you'll be able to request a transfer in the future.

In all the above you can work towards the NHS care certificate.
If you end up as a HCA in a hospital there are pathways like apprentiships that can be a path to a career in nursing while still having a salary.

In-home care assitant.
If you want extra flexibility then working as an in-home carer can be as little as an hour in the morning or night depending how many clients you are prepared to take on, it's best to reach out to an agency as they will train you and find you work. Typical tasks would be washing and dressing, helping someone eat a meal, toileting, light domestic tasks, monitoring health conditions, changing catheter bags, record keeping etc. Often people needed care at home are elderly, have either mental health conditions like demnetia or mobility issues. The churn rate is really high so you should be able to get something no matter where you live, and the advantage is it can fit around your existing job, there will most likely be some online training modules of which the academic content will be minimal.

Care home HCA
You can also work as a care assistant in a care home or a nursing home (sicker patients or those needing more specialist care), not all will require previous experience.

Academic background:
If you decide you want to do a degree, then research requirements for nursing or midwifery courses. Do you have the relevant GCSEs and A-levels or will you need to do an access course?