Nottingham GEM (A101) Applicants 2015

Thanks very much for the reply

Yes, I applied for the 5 year courses in 2008 for 2009 entry and had interviews at Southampton (BM6) and UEA (A100). I was rejected after interview so I naively thought I wasn't good enough at all for Medicine and went and did an Arts degree instead of completing my Access course and trying again or at least doing a science based degree. Now I'm a lot more educated about the competition for Medicine and more assured in my own academic abilities so I'm going to apply this year for GEM.

Did you find it difficult to get HCA work? There are no openings where I live and I can't seem to even get work as a Domestic in the NHS (might be due to being overqualified or sheer competition for roles - I'm not sure).

No problem! Yeah I had similar doubts with regards to reapplying, but it's so worth doing! When i was looking there was nothing in my local hospitals so I literally googled for the best nursing home in my area and cold emailed them asking for vacancies. They gave me an interview and said they'd take me so I got really lucky, I absolutely love the job too I'd say have a look at nearby nursing homes and also hospice work, I had a volunteer HCA position at one nearby and it was brilliant, the people who work there are just so sound, as I guess you have to be in that environment. Are you studying or working now?

I have applied three times and have finally got in this time round! And I'm 100% sure that working as a HCA for the last 7 months has made the difference. It's not only given me a greater insight into what doctors do on a daily basis but it's massively improved my communication skills and ability to empathise with patients so it's definitely worth doing.
For me, I had a look on the NHS jobs website and my local hospital was holding a 'Healthcare Assistant Recruitment Day'. They do these regularly. Essentially you go along and find out more about the job then you have an interview in the afternoon and find out there and then whether they want you or not. Was very easy and they seemed to be impressed with my qualifications and previous experience!

Where/how have you looked for jobs?

I live in a small village in a rural area and I applied to the local nursing home and haven't heard back - I'll call them tomorrow to check they're considering me. But if they reject my application I might ask if I can do voluntary work if no one else gets back to me because I really need the experience. At the moment I'm volunteering at a hospital and studying for GAMSAT/UKCAT (I graduated a while back). I left my job last Christmas to focus on this pursuit of Medicine but I haven't been able to move from voluntary work to paid work yet which isn't a problem financially but I would rather have a paid job and volunteer at weekends. I check the NHS jobs website each day and I haven't seen a single HCA job in the past 2 months (edit: I've seen one but it is for 'Student Nurses and RTP Only'). I've seen Domestic roles and band 2 Admin roles and applied to those as a means to just get into the local trust - but so far no responses. I've also searched for care roles on 'Indeed' and applied to those (nothing yet) and I look on the local council website where care jobs are also posted. I haven't seen any Healthcare Assistant Recruitment Days - I would definitely go for that if I had the opportunity.At the moment, I feel like I'm waiting around for vacancies to come which is really frustrating when I want to be proactive and get experience. On the odd occasion that I see relevant work and apply to it, I hear nothing back. Did you leave your degree on your CV when applying for care/HCA jobs? I think my degree is putting employers off but if I leave it off there's a bit of a gap I will have trouble explaining. On the plus side I have 2 hospital shadowing experiences lined up for next month but my main concern is long term paid experience to go along with my shadowing and voluntary work.

Phlebotomy??

have you tried NHS Professionals?... I got one of my posts through here, although haven't actually worked any shifts for them as work at two other hospitals.

http://www.nhsprofessionals.nhs.uk/flexible/Pages/Care-Support-Workers.aspx

dont know if that will help. I am a member of NHSP and I'm going to see if I can transfer when I move. I see you are checking NHS jobs, but also check individual trust pages for recruitment days as some hospitals have their own bank. If you don't mind saying, tell me your local area/hospital and I'll have a look up for details if you like.

Yup, I'll never understand it - last year, I got a *4* for my work experience - I've worked in hospitals for over 10 years, and a *4* for enthusiasm... why would I bother applying at all if I wasn't enthusiastic about the job!!!

that's incredible that you got a 4 and you worked in hospitals. If you told me before the interview I would of been really scared as you have a lot more work experience than me.

The only think I can think of is that I was nervous *and* exhausted, so I may have just come off badly?

Hey guys, I have received no letter in the post and no track update - I was wondering if anyone is in the same boat?

Congratulations to all those with offers and best of luck for those who missed out this time round

Hey guys, I have received no letter in the post and no track update - I was wondering if anyone is in the same boat?

Congratulations to all those with offers and best of luck for those who missed out this time round

I'd give them a call on Monday - it may be you're wait-listed?

Yes good idea. This was the case for someone on here (see page 25) and when they emailed they found out they were on the waiting list.

I've still not had a letter or an update, and when I emailed, I got asked about something else (my current degree), and still don't have an answer... I assume it's waiting list...

Does anyone know how fee payments work? Do we pay the fees in one lump sum or in installments?

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I'm pretty certain it's one lump sum on starting the course. Would probably be best to email the finance dept. Notts seem to have a pretty decent one, quite helpful and knowledgeable re. GEM.

i am under the impression I can get student loan/ nhs bursary - I rang them when I was applying to make sure. Is this not the case?

Does anyone know how fee payments work? Do we pay the fees in one lump sum or in installments?

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I'm pretty certain it's one lump sum on starting the course. Would probably be best to email the finance dept. Notts seem to have a pretty decent one, quite helpful and knowledgeable re. GEM.