Fear of becoming a nurse
I want to be a nurse for the obvious reason of wanting to help people.However, I am so scared because of the state of the NHS in the UK, 2500 unpaid hours at uni, and hearing abt nurses being mistreated
I am doing my a levels currently and am wondering if this is irrational? Or other career ideas as I really do feel passionate about it but I don't want to be exploited
thank you
I am doing my a levels currently and am wondering if this is irrational? Or other career ideas as I really do feel passionate about it but I don't want to be exploited
thank you
Original post by 3mily567
I want to be a nurse for the obvious reason of wanting to help people.However, I am so scared because of the state of the NHS in the UK, 2500 unpaid hours at uni, and hearing abt nurses being mistreated
I am doing my a levels currently and am wondering if this is irrational? Or other career ideas as I really do feel passionate about it but I don't want to be exploited
thank you
I am doing my a levels currently and am wondering if this is irrational? Or other career ideas as I really do feel passionate about it but I don't want to be exploited
thank you
Go and apply for a nursing degree at your chosen universities.
You'll make a fantastic nurse if you give yourself the opportunity to prove your are capable. Make sure you have the necessary entry requirements for your chosen universities okay.
Don't worry about the state of how the NHS is currently in because it will get better eventually when the government decides to put the money back into it.
You do 4600 hours of which - 2300 hours are your university studying weeks, 2300 hours of practical training on placements in either hospitals or GP surgeries etc.
You are paid in some way with the NHS learning grants which is not repayable. You'll be able to get loans which you have to repay.
Don't think you are alone in this situation with unpaid work as every student nurse has gone through this at some point in there nursing careers.
Rest assure that not every student nurse is being mistreated as you'll find that they are being picked on during certain placements, you do unfortunately get good and bad placements everywhere you go and you might be lucky enough to never experience a bad placement. You don't let a bad placement put you off.
You want to be a nurse for a good reason so make it your ambitions to become this good nurse and get yourself into university.
A NHS registered midwife
@Emily_B as a registered adult nurse can you give this person so of your good knowledge about becoming a nurse.
(edited 1 year ago)
Original post by Tracey_W
Go and apply for a nursing degree at your chosen universities.
You'll make a fantastic nurse if you give yourself the opportunity to prove your are capable. Make sure you have the necessary entry requirements for your chosen universities okay.
Don't worry about the state of how the NHS is currently in because it will get better eventually when the government decides to put the money back into it.
You do 4600 hours of which - 2300 hours are your university studying weeks, 2300 hours of practical training on placements in either hospitals or GP surgeries etc.
You are paid in some way with the NHS learning grants which is not repayable. You'll be able to get loans which you have to repay.
Don't think you are alone in this situation with unpaid work as every student nurse has gone through this at some point in there nursing careers.
Rest assure that not every student nurse is being mistreated as you'll find that they are being picked on during certain placements, you do unfortunately get good and bad placements everywhere you go and you might be lucky enough to never experience a bad placement. You don't let a bad placement put you off.
You want to be a nurse for a good reason so make it your ambitions to become this good nurse and get yourself into university.
A NHS registered midwife
@Emily_B as a registered adult nurse can you give this person so of your good knowledge about becoming a nurse.
You'll make a fantastic nurse if you give yourself the opportunity to prove your are capable. Make sure you have the necessary entry requirements for your chosen universities okay.
Don't worry about the state of how the NHS is currently in because it will get better eventually when the government decides to put the money back into it.
You do 4600 hours of which - 2300 hours are your university studying weeks, 2300 hours of practical training on placements in either hospitals or GP surgeries etc.
You are paid in some way with the NHS learning grants which is not repayable. You'll be able to get loans which you have to repay.
Don't think you are alone in this situation with unpaid work as every student nurse has gone through this at some point in there nursing careers.
Rest assure that not every student nurse is being mistreated as you'll find that they are being picked on during certain placements, you do unfortunately get good and bad placements everywhere you go and you might be lucky enough to never experience a bad placement. You don't let a bad placement put you off.
You want to be a nurse for a good reason so make it your ambitions to become this good nurse and get yourself into university.
A NHS registered midwife
@Emily_B as a registered adult nurse can you give this person so of your good knowledge about becoming a nurse.
I feel that i will end up applying regardless for nursing
Thank you
Original post by 3mily567
Thank you for the reassurance haha though I really do fear the long hours
I feel that i will end up applying regardless for nursing
Thank you
I feel that i will end up applying regardless for nursing
Thank you
You are welcome 🤗🤗
Do apply for the nursing degree and see what happens ☺️.
Long hours are just part of the job but the good thing is you get 4 days off when you are working placements in hospital wards setting, different for community nursing they tend to be inline with the GP working hours each week but you get 1 day off in the week plus free weekends.
Honestly you get use to working the long hours but at first you'll find it a bit hard going until you get use to working them.... don't let it put you off 😞😞
Reply 4
Original post by 3mily567
I want to be a nurse for the obvious reason of wanting to help people.However, I am so scared because of the state of the NHS in the UK, 2500 unpaid hours at uni, and hearing abt nurses being mistreated
I am doing my a levels currently and am wondering if this is irrational? Or other career ideas as I really do feel passionate about it but I don't want to be exploited
thank you
I am doing my a levels currently and am wondering if this is irrational? Or other career ideas as I really do feel passionate about it but I don't want to be exploited
thank you
Doing a nursing degree and becoming a nurse is an amazing thing to do. It is one of the hardest, yet most rewarding degree and job to do.
The NHS is struggling yes, but that is just part of the job. There is always a need for more nurses, so take the opportunity and become a nurse so that you can help people, make a difference and support the NHS.
You do 2300 hours of placement, in hospital and community, and 2300 of theory. Yes these hours are unpaid, but you do get a £5,000 a year bursary which you are not required to pay back, this is because of doing an NHS Course. It is hard but it is very much worth it.
Unfortunately, people do get mistreated in every job, not just the NHS. It is a rare case of people being mistreated, most staff are lovely and most patients are very kind and understanding.
It is normal to have fears but I would recommend having a good think about it, decide if you definitely want to do this. IT is hard but it is amazing and rewarding, I would recommend it, especially if you feel passionate about it. Be brave, take the leap, it'll be worth it.
Best of luck!
Jess - Digital Student ambassador and Student Nurse at ARU
Original post by ARUStudents
Hey!
Doing a nursing degree and becoming a nurse is an amazing thing to do. It is one of the hardest, yet most rewarding degree and job to do.
The NHS is struggling yes, but that is just part of the job. There is always a need for more nurses, so take the opportunity and become a nurse so that you can help people, make a difference and support the NHS.
You do 2300 hours of placement, in hospital and community, and 2300 of theory. Yes these hours are unpaid, but you do get a £5,000 a year bursary which you are not required to pay back, this is because of doing an NHS Course. It is hard but it is very much worth it.
Unfortunately, people do get mistreated in every job, not just the NHS. It is a rare case of people being mistreated, most staff are lovely and most patients are very kind and understanding.
It is normal to have fears but I would recommend having a good think about it, decide if you definitely want to do this. IT is hard but it is amazing and rewarding, I would recommend it, especially if you feel passionate about it. Be brave, take the leap, it'll be worth it.
Best of luck!
Jess - Digital Student ambassador and Student Nurse at ARU
Doing a nursing degree and becoming a nurse is an amazing thing to do. It is one of the hardest, yet most rewarding degree and job to do.
The NHS is struggling yes, but that is just part of the job. There is always a need for more nurses, so take the opportunity and become a nurse so that you can help people, make a difference and support the NHS.
You do 2300 hours of placement, in hospital and community, and 2300 of theory. Yes these hours are unpaid, but you do get a £5,000 a year bursary which you are not required to pay back, this is because of doing an NHS Course. It is hard but it is very much worth it.
Unfortunately, people do get mistreated in every job, not just the NHS. It is a rare case of people being mistreated, most staff are lovely and most patients are very kind and understanding.
It is normal to have fears but I would recommend having a good think about it, decide if you definitely want to do this. IT is hard but it is amazing and rewarding, I would recommend it, especially if you feel passionate about it. Be brave, take the leap, it'll be worth it.
Best of luck!
Jess - Digital Student ambassador and Student Nurse at ARU
I think she should take the leap and go for it.
Hope you are thoroughly enjoying your nursing degree.
Original post by 3mily567
I want to be a nurse for the obvious reason of wanting to help people.However, I am so scared because of the state of the NHS in the UK, 2500 unpaid hours at uni, and hearing abt nurses being mistreated
I am doing my a levels currently and am wondering if this is irrational? Or other career ideas as I really do feel passionate about it but I don't want to be exploited
thank you
I am doing my a levels currently and am wondering if this is irrational? Or other career ideas as I really do feel passionate about it but I don't want to be exploited
thank you
If you want to be a nurse and help people, please go for it! Things can't change - and improve - if people like yourself don't follow their dreams and enter health professions.
Hours - it's 4600 (2300 theory, 2300 practice). There may not be a wage attached (just like any standard degree), but you get the NHS learning support fund in addition to student finance - this raises funds from the minimum of £3700 to at least £8700!
The whole thing about nurses being mistreated? Yes, you'll hear horror stories. Yes, I've been in some really awful situations as a nurse myself, but I genuinely don't spend all my time in horrible scenarios with patients, their relatives, and my colleagues. More of my time is spent in decent situations and colleagues working well together. The best thing I find about nursing is the rapport you get to build with your patients and the team you work in.
Long hours? It takes a bit of time, but you'll get used to them. Just remember that it's only 3 times, occasionaly 4, a week.
Passion is great to have however it won't fuel you. I was a very naive 18 year old when I decided to go into nursing. I didn't have experience with bills or anything regarding maintenance. Everything I needed was provided by my parents and the things I wanted I would save up for (although nothing was more than £50- lets be honest what's a <18 year old going to do with that expensive of an item). When I got to uni and started learning independence and adulting, I realised how much money you would need to survive, especially in high-rent areas like London.
The course is very demanding, as is many other courses. It is not impossible to find days off in your schedule but it can be quite difficult findings days off that align with your friends and families days off. Bedrotting or wanting to just relax and do nothing at home is a very common way to spend your days off as the shift before would've tired you for the next couple of days. Or maybe, you need to catch up on household chores and life tasks. The few hours you get when getting home and having to go to sleep to have a reasonable healthy sleep/wake cycle will not be enough to sort your life. The rota is completely random (both as a student and nurse) unless you have reasonable adjustments or apply for flexible working. In the wards, and as a student especially, will you ever be allowed to do less than 12 hours. This means, unless you have a community placement or are working in a unit that works less hours, you will have to do 12 hour shifts. Of course, nice nurses may let you home early as they know you aren't being paid so it can be unfair- especially if you've done all the work that needs to be done for the shift. Do not think you are getting 4/3 days off just like that, it comes with being exhausted and having to catch up on life. The days are random and so you may get a shift on and then off, on and off, which is just terrible.
You will have to work bank holidays and weekends as a student nurse. And when you qualify there are no holidays you are exempt from (unless you have flexible working, reasonable adjustments or are working in a place that is not open during these times). It can feel really unfair sometimes, seeing your friends and family enjoy time together whilst you're stuck working. You can argue its a part of life- which it is- but it doesn't make it any less sad. Just to clarify, this means 365 days a year and on national holidays.
Nights are also a huge part of nursing. Whilst many enjoy nights (including me), and you do get paid at a higher rate for it (just like any other unsociable hours/days), it is demanding on the body and I have never been able to do more than 2. It sends me on a downward spiral where all I want to do is bawl my eyes out.
I know the other lovely nurses said that you shouldn't pay mind that the NHS is on a consistent downfall with the now-past Tire government but to be completely honest the NHS will struggle for years and years and years until it eventually dies. You should absolutely consider this as you may end up working in the NHS for a long time and see this downfall.
Although a bursary is offered and maintenance loan (if you choose to take it), this is not enough to live on for a year. Whilst you may be able to work during your lecture blocks, it will absolutely kill you to do it during placement. There are a few people I know who do work during and it is possible but it will take a lot in you. If you manage to do this I applaud you- it is not easy.
Job security is a huge plus if you choose to stay at the hospital/trust you trained at but that's only if you decide to stay in nursing and if you liked the place otherwise, BOOO. More and more people are leaving nursing, especially during the course. Most are just sticking it out to get the degree and then do something completely unrelated. As much as you need passion to stay in nursing, It will take that passion away from you. Nursing is rewarding emotionally and possibly spiritually, but it is not kind at all. You give more than you take. For example, if you live in London you get a higher pay as a NQN band 5. however that is going to go to your rent. Your take home would be approximately, MAX £2500. About £1000 for rent, not including bills, insurance, and other maintenance. As a young person and when you're starting your career there will be money going out everywhere. Not to mention that nurses continue to do bank shifts on their annual leave days to max ends meet.
Here's a bit that was also not told about nursing. My entire cohort found out on the first day of third year! You need to pay every year to keep your nursing license. Around £120 but this will definitely increase in the years. You need to do more work, including reflections extra training, etc so you can revalidate. God forbid you want to take some time out of work to do something like idk be a human, focus on self-growth, building a family, spending time with parents, etc. Your license will be sNATCHEd right out your hand. This means, in order to go back, you have to try get into this not-very-accessible course, that is expensive to get back into nursing. It makes sense why that happens but its still something to think about. Let's say you want to go abroad and practice in Canada or Australia. You still have to pay for your license every year or you're off the board. Even though you won't be working in the UK. So if you're international and came only to do study and then go back home, you are screwed. Depending on where you live, your countries nursing board will require a lot of paperwork and money from you in order to work.
People get mistreated everywhere. If you stand your ground you'll see that it won;t affect you or it might not even happen. However, as a student it is very easy to be the HCA that does the dirty work. Being on poo measuring duty of a c.diff patient, making beds alone, getting food and all the softer, less clinical bits of nursing. Being the errand boy, going this ward and this pharmacy to get things. Doing only obs. As you progress in your education you will find that this is even more so. By third year, you will have to be able to manage multiple patients by yourself (supervised of course but all the planning and actioning is on you). You will be worked like a dog sometimes, and this will continue when you qualify, especially as a newly qualified nurse.
In terms of wanting to help people... there are many ways to help people and most jobs are helping people. Now I know you probably mean healthcare wise, like me. I wanted to help people but in the medical field especially. It sucked the life out of me and there's only a few places where I am able to enjoy this idea that drove me to nursing. You find out a lot about yourself and what you naturally prioritise in life as you grow, and of course it always changes. Never let nursing take priority over any aspect of yourself, please.
My suggestion would be to apply, if there is nothing else that interests you. If by the end of all your first year placements you decide you don't really like placement then leave. I promise it will be the best decision of your life and you won't regret it. Don't even worry about 'oh what course should I do instead'. If there's nothing that interests you, get a job, anything really and get money. You'll figure it out eventually, what you want to do for the rest of your life or for some of it at least. Even if you don't enjoy it first or second placement in second year then just leave. By third, you can still leave but might be useful to just grab that degree and then go. A degree alone can take you to many places, regardless of what it is.
Good luck, my pms are always open
The course is very demanding, as is many other courses. It is not impossible to find days off in your schedule but it can be quite difficult findings days off that align with your friends and families days off. Bedrotting or wanting to just relax and do nothing at home is a very common way to spend your days off as the shift before would've tired you for the next couple of days. Or maybe, you need to catch up on household chores and life tasks. The few hours you get when getting home and having to go to sleep to have a reasonable healthy sleep/wake cycle will not be enough to sort your life. The rota is completely random (both as a student and nurse) unless you have reasonable adjustments or apply for flexible working. In the wards, and as a student especially, will you ever be allowed to do less than 12 hours. This means, unless you have a community placement or are working in a unit that works less hours, you will have to do 12 hour shifts. Of course, nice nurses may let you home early as they know you aren't being paid so it can be unfair- especially if you've done all the work that needs to be done for the shift. Do not think you are getting 4/3 days off just like that, it comes with being exhausted and having to catch up on life. The days are random and so you may get a shift on and then off, on and off, which is just terrible.
You will have to work bank holidays and weekends as a student nurse. And when you qualify there are no holidays you are exempt from (unless you have flexible working, reasonable adjustments or are working in a place that is not open during these times). It can feel really unfair sometimes, seeing your friends and family enjoy time together whilst you're stuck working. You can argue its a part of life- which it is- but it doesn't make it any less sad. Just to clarify, this means 365 days a year and on national holidays.
Nights are also a huge part of nursing. Whilst many enjoy nights (including me), and you do get paid at a higher rate for it (just like any other unsociable hours/days), it is demanding on the body and I have never been able to do more than 2. It sends me on a downward spiral where all I want to do is bawl my eyes out.
I know the other lovely nurses said that you shouldn't pay mind that the NHS is on a consistent downfall with the now-past Tire government but to be completely honest the NHS will struggle for years and years and years until it eventually dies. You should absolutely consider this as you may end up working in the NHS for a long time and see this downfall.
Although a bursary is offered and maintenance loan (if you choose to take it), this is not enough to live on for a year. Whilst you may be able to work during your lecture blocks, it will absolutely kill you to do it during placement. There are a few people I know who do work during and it is possible but it will take a lot in you. If you manage to do this I applaud you- it is not easy.
Job security is a huge plus if you choose to stay at the hospital/trust you trained at but that's only if you decide to stay in nursing and if you liked the place otherwise, BOOO. More and more people are leaving nursing, especially during the course. Most are just sticking it out to get the degree and then do something completely unrelated. As much as you need passion to stay in nursing, It will take that passion away from you. Nursing is rewarding emotionally and possibly spiritually, but it is not kind at all. You give more than you take. For example, if you live in London you get a higher pay as a NQN band 5. however that is going to go to your rent. Your take home would be approximately, MAX £2500. About £1000 for rent, not including bills, insurance, and other maintenance. As a young person and when you're starting your career there will be money going out everywhere. Not to mention that nurses continue to do bank shifts on their annual leave days to max ends meet.
Here's a bit that was also not told about nursing. My entire cohort found out on the first day of third year! You need to pay every year to keep your nursing license. Around £120 but this will definitely increase in the years. You need to do more work, including reflections extra training, etc so you can revalidate. God forbid you want to take some time out of work to do something like idk be a human, focus on self-growth, building a family, spending time with parents, etc. Your license will be sNATCHEd right out your hand. This means, in order to go back, you have to try get into this not-very-accessible course, that is expensive to get back into nursing. It makes sense why that happens but its still something to think about. Let's say you want to go abroad and practice in Canada or Australia. You still have to pay for your license every year or you're off the board. Even though you won't be working in the UK. So if you're international and came only to do study and then go back home, you are screwed. Depending on where you live, your countries nursing board will require a lot of paperwork and money from you in order to work.
People get mistreated everywhere. If you stand your ground you'll see that it won;t affect you or it might not even happen. However, as a student it is very easy to be the HCA that does the dirty work. Being on poo measuring duty of a c.diff patient, making beds alone, getting food and all the softer, less clinical bits of nursing. Being the errand boy, going this ward and this pharmacy to get things. Doing only obs. As you progress in your education you will find that this is even more so. By third year, you will have to be able to manage multiple patients by yourself (supervised of course but all the planning and actioning is on you). You will be worked like a dog sometimes, and this will continue when you qualify, especially as a newly qualified nurse.
In terms of wanting to help people... there are many ways to help people and most jobs are helping people. Now I know you probably mean healthcare wise, like me. I wanted to help people but in the medical field especially. It sucked the life out of me and there's only a few places where I am able to enjoy this idea that drove me to nursing. You find out a lot about yourself and what you naturally prioritise in life as you grow, and of course it always changes. Never let nursing take priority over any aspect of yourself, please.
My suggestion would be to apply, if there is nothing else that interests you. If by the end of all your first year placements you decide you don't really like placement then leave. I promise it will be the best decision of your life and you won't regret it. Don't even worry about 'oh what course should I do instead'. If there's nothing that interests you, get a job, anything really and get money. You'll figure it out eventually, what you want to do for the rest of your life or for some of it at least. Even if you don't enjoy it first or second placement in second year then just leave. By third, you can still leave but might be useful to just grab that degree and then go. A degree alone can take you to many places, regardless of what it is.
Good luck, my pms are always open
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