Entry requirements

Re: Entry requirements

humanenurse — Thu, 28 May 2009 18:18:12 GMT

I've been looking around and I think you have to have passed your gcse's within 10yrs. Key Skills is a great way for you to brush up on those qualifications or get onto entry.

For example, I'm just completing my key skills level 2 in adult numeracy, which is equilent to gcse C grade. I did a foundation at school so didn't get a good mark. More and more employers and uni's etc seem to want these q's it's worth noting. I was looking at theater courses for a friend and even they want level 2 key skills maths!

Re: Entry requirements

JaneRVN — Wed, 20 May 2009 16:19:59 GMT

SharonSP is right, you have the 5 gcse's c or above.

The funding you will find out about at college, and can do the Key Skills during your NVQ. Best not to listen to the other nurses as the rules on who needs to do them and why changes every year!

It is the VNAC's who decide and who are guided by LANTRA on funding, not RCVS, they are happy with 5 gcses! The Key Skills isn't too difficult and I found teaching the Application of Number really helpful!

For the OP - Albatross, please remember the RVC is the Royal Veterinary College and they run foundation, degree and post grad nurse courses - quite distinct from the governing body of RCVS! It helps to be clear who you spoke to as entry qualifications for foundation and honours degrees vary from NVQ and it is all quite confusing already!

Re: Entry requirements

Fiona Leathers — Wed, 20 May 2009 13:32:33 GMT

Sometimes its an idea to send a copy of your qualifications in and ask them to clarify in writing if this is enough, then you have it in black & white. I did this when I was training as I didn't have the right qualifications, but this was almost 10 years ago!!

Re: Entry requirements

albatross — Tue, 19 May 2009 21:40:21 GMT

Last year I spoke to 4 different people at the RVC and got different answers.

First one said you need 5 GCSE's full stop. Next said mine were too old (errr taken when the ark foundered!) and I needed to have Biology A level (in which case I tried to get this confirmed so I could go and take the A level while waiting for a place, but I was teaching Biology to ND students so that would be a tad embarrasing!). Next person said I needed alternative ND in Animal related course (when I said I had HND Animal Management they said they didn't think that counted [but it's higher!!!] but would need to pass me to another person). Fourth one said I was ok to get in, but would need to check again with everyone else.
At that point I gave up and am waiting until I get offered a place in a TP and see what the RVC or the VNAC say then.

Re: Entry requirements

Anonymous — Tue, 19 May 2009 21:12:34 GMT

Thanks for all the replies everyone :)

So, if I've got this straight, I have all the requirements to enter onto the course, but may have to do some key skills once I'm on the course? I'm not self-funding, so I'm assuming it's all government funded.. I remember some people on previous courses I've done that had to do key skills as they weren't paying for the course themselves.. It's all starting to make sense now! lol.

I think the confusion has come from the fact that all the other nurses at work started training within that 5 year mark, except for one who didn't have the required GCSE's anyway, so she had to do some key skills before being allowed to start the course.. I think it's all got a little muddled along the way to sorting my entry out!

Thanks for all the help everyone! :) I'm much less confused now!

Re: Entry requirements

SharonSP — Tue, 19 May 2009 20:00:45 GMT

Hi Sepia,

You actually have all the grades to enter onto the VN training programme. You require 5 GCSEs grade C or above in English, Maths, Science and any two others. The GCSEs do not expire in this instance. As Laura stated, if you gain government funding to help with your course fees (dependent on funding organisation) you may be required to undertake Key Skills in Communication & Application of Number at level 2 - unless you can exempt yourself in some way - one of these ways is to have completed your GCSEs within the last 5 years from your date of enrolment. Your ANA award will give you good grounding for the 1st year of the VN programme, and make many subjects alot easier to grasp, so well done you!

Re: Entry requirements

Nick Shackleton — Tue, 19 May 2009 19:59:07 GMT

Cheers Sharon I've been out of first opinion practice for over 5 years, so bit out of date with regards to training

Re: Entry requirements

SharonSP — Tue, 19 May 2009 19:54:36 GMT

[quote user="Nick Shackleton"]

I personally would get in touch with the RCVS cos they are the ones who will deal with your application and therefore decide whether you can enroll as an SVN

[/quote]

Unfortunately, it is the VNACs who now process the applications, but ultimately the RCVS give the guidance to the VNACs.

Re: Entry requirements

Katy — Tue, 19 May 2009 19:22:56 GMT

It depends on your funding really. I did my GCSEs over 10 years ago (god) and I had to do a test to check what level I was at. I would have had to do key skills in maths had I continued with my course.

It's not too difficult, and you should get lots of help from the college.

Re: Entry requirements

Nick Shackleton — Tue, 19 May 2009 18:22:45 GMT

I personally would get in touch with the RCVS cos they are the ones who will deal with your application and therefore decide whether you can enroll as an SVN

http://www.rcvs.org.uk/Templates/Internal.asp?NodeID=89964

here's a link to a leaflet about being a VN

http://www.rcvs.org.uk/Shared_ASP_Files/UploadedFiles/rcvs/D0E206D8-28CE-42D1-91F0-0461D7E3C88F_vn_careers_leaflet_08.pdf

Re: Entry requirements

laura Petts — Tue, 19 May 2009 18:19:53 GMT

It depends on your funding. If your being government funded then they require you to complete the english and maths key skills if it is over 5 yrs since sitting your GCSE's. You should be able to complete the key skills whilst doing your training, using your case evidence as a basis for the key skills evidence. One of my students has just been through this despite having a degree in animal science and all the gcse's she would need. The last i knew if you were self funded it is not an RCVS requirement for entry to the vn register but this might have changed

Re: Entry requirements

Anonymous — Tue, 19 May 2009 18:12:06 GMT

as far as i know if u have the gcse's that you need you will be fine. and if the college say u fine then u are well ok xx x