I have BSc Molecular biology and MSc biomedical science
Hi everyone,
I graduated this year and since then I’ve been applying for Biomedical Scientist/Associate Practitioner roles, but I honestly can’t secure a single interview.
Because of this, I’m now considering going back to university to study Nursing or Midwifery. I currently work as a cleaner in a hospital and I’ve tried to get support through HR as an internal applicant to help secure an interview, but it hasn’t made any difference so far.
For context, I got a third-class BSc and a Merit in my MSc. The main reason my BSc grade was low is because I worked around 30 hours a week throughout my degree, which was extremely demanding. I completed my MSc part-time.
My main question is: what options do I have if I want to go back to university and study Nursing or Midwifery, especially if I’ve already used up my student loan entitlement?
Any advice would be really appreciated.
I graduated this year and since then I’ve been applying for Biomedical Scientist/Associate Practitioner roles, but I honestly can’t secure a single interview.
Because of this, I’m now considering going back to university to study Nursing or Midwifery. I currently work as a cleaner in a hospital and I’ve tried to get support through HR as an internal applicant to help secure an interview, but it hasn’t made any difference so far.
For context, I got a third-class BSc and a Merit in my MSc. The main reason my BSc grade was low is because I worked around 30 hours a week throughout my degree, which was extremely demanding. I completed my MSc part-time.
My main question is: what options do I have if I want to go back to university and study Nursing or Midwifery, especially if I’ve already used up my student loan entitlement?
Any advice would be really appreciated.
Reply 1
20
Original post
by icecoconutHi everyone,
I graduated this year and since then I’ve been applying for Biomedical Scientist/Associate Practitioner roles, but I honestly can’t secure a single interview.
Because of this, I’m now considering going back to university to study Nursing or Midwifery. I currently work as a cleaner in a hospital and I’ve tried to get support through HR as an internal applicant to help secure an interview, but it hasn’t made any difference so far.
For context, I got a third-class BSc and a Merit in my MSc. The main reason my BSc grade was low is because I worked around 30 hours a week throughout my degree, which was extremely demanding. I completed my MSc part-time.
My main question is: what options do I have if I want to go back to university and study Nursing or Midwifery, especially if I’ve already used up my student loan entitlement?
Any advice would be really appreciated.
I graduated this year and since then I’ve been applying for Biomedical Scientist/Associate Practitioner roles, but I honestly can’t secure a single interview.
Because of this, I’m now considering going back to university to study Nursing or Midwifery. I currently work as a cleaner in a hospital and I’ve tried to get support through HR as an internal applicant to help secure an interview, but it hasn’t made any difference so far.
For context, I got a third-class BSc and a Merit in my MSc. The main reason my BSc grade was low is because I worked around 30 hours a week throughout my degree, which was extremely demanding. I completed my MSc part-time.
My main question is: what options do I have if I want to go back to university and study Nursing or Midwifery, especially if I’ve already used up my student loan entitlement?
Any advice would be really appreciated.
Do you get your funding from SFE? If so, nursing and midwifery are classified as exception courses so you could get undergraduate funding again - both a tuition fee loan and a maintenance loan. If you study at a uni in England, you would also be eligible to apply to the NHS Learning Support Fund for the annual training grant of £5k per year plus other benefits. Do check that you meet the entry requirements for the course and contact uni admissions if it is not clear if your degree class would be accepted.
https://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/nhs-learning-support-fund-lsf
Reply 2
4
Original post
by normawDo you get your funding from SFE? If so, nursing and midwifery are classified as exception courses so you could get undergraduate funding again - both a tuition fee loan and a maintenance loan. If you study at a uni in England, you would also be eligible to apply to the NHS Learning Support Fund for the annual training grant of £5k per year plus other benefits. Do check that you meet the entry requirements for the course and contact uni admissions if it is not clear if your degree class would be accepted.
https://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/nhs-learning-support-fund-lsf
https://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/nhs-learning-support-fund-lsf
Thanks for replying Normaw. Yes I get my funding from SFE. I shall contact the university and ask. Thanks
Reply 3
Hi;
I am a Trainee BMS in clinical biochemistry. May I ask which university you attended and/or the course (link would be preferable).
I ask as in order to get a job as a Biomedical Scientist in the UK, your BACHELORS degree must be accredited by the IBMS and I don’t know if I can recall seeing any courses minus BMS and Biology which have been accredited by the IBMS before.
You also can’t get a job as a BMS unless you have significant experience outside the UK and apply through the international route (and provide evidence) or have undergone and completed the IBMS portfolio and thus use the membership to obtain HCPC membership to become a state registered BMS.
A biomedical scientist is a protected title, not too dissimilar to a doctor in terms of calling yourself a doctor whilst you aren’t one is actually not legal.
Happy to explain further if you wish but I’m going to be plain here, getting a job in pathology is difficult with no experience as there are a lot of people who already have a fair bit and a lot of people take the BMS course.
I’m not saying it is impossible (took a whole year and a pandemic for me to get my first job in a lab…) but it is difficult. So maybe you are just going about it the wrong way, like I was, hence why it took me so long to get my first job… (I admit I got lucky as no one wanted to work with covid when it first popped up..)
I am a Trainee BMS in clinical biochemistry. May I ask which university you attended and/or the course (link would be preferable).
I ask as in order to get a job as a Biomedical Scientist in the UK, your BACHELORS degree must be accredited by the IBMS and I don’t know if I can recall seeing any courses minus BMS and Biology which have been accredited by the IBMS before.
You also can’t get a job as a BMS unless you have significant experience outside the UK and apply through the international route (and provide evidence) or have undergone and completed the IBMS portfolio and thus use the membership to obtain HCPC membership to become a state registered BMS.
A biomedical scientist is a protected title, not too dissimilar to a doctor in terms of calling yourself a doctor whilst you aren’t one is actually not legal.
Happy to explain further if you wish but I’m going to be plain here, getting a job in pathology is difficult with no experience as there are a lot of people who already have a fair bit and a lot of people take the BMS course.
I’m not saying it is impossible (took a whole year and a pandemic for me to get my first job in a lab…) but it is difficult. So maybe you are just going about it the wrong way, like I was, hence why it took me so long to get my first job… (I admit I got lucky as no one wanted to work with covid when it first popped up..)
(edited 1 month ago)
Reply 4
I'm sorry to hear about your situation. I retrained as a nurse after I completed my biomedical science degree but before considering giving up on the biomedical sciences route completely I agree with the previous poster scienceisgood, to make sure you have definitely exhausted all your options?
Secondly I wonder what your motivations are for switching to nursing? Although it will be a longer process, you can apply at a NHS hospital to become a nurses associate and eventually work your way up to being a registered nurse. Will be a paid position and with little or no tuition fees.
https://www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/explore-roles/nursing/how-become-nurse
Secondly I wonder what your motivations are for switching to nursing? Although it will be a longer process, you can apply at a NHS hospital to become a nurses associate and eventually work your way up to being a registered nurse. Will be a paid position and with little or no tuition fees.
https://www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/explore-roles/nursing/how-become-nurse
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