Direction advice?

RE: Direction advice?

lavetnurse — Fri, 12 Aug 2016 20:40:21 GMT

They are called functional skills now and most colleges will do them. You can also do them through learn direct.

If all depends on the practice and how old you are but I will have to fund it myself when i start my training and will apply for a 24+ learning loan for it. You dont start paying it back til you earn over £21K.

RE: Direction advice?

Louise Baldwin — Fri, 12 Aug 2016 17:44:30 GMT

Really, thats really helpful thanks. Do you do key skills at college nothing much is coming up when I google it?

Another question, when finding a practice to train with do they often pay for your training or is the course funded yourself? Also thinking of the finacisl aspect, is it possible to fit a 0 hours contract job around your student nursing role to make up money lost whilst on minimum wage? How do rotas for shifts work does your rota generally change monthly? Sorry I am not use to how rotas work as I have had a 9-5 job since uni. Thanks :)

RE: Direction advice?

PHA86 — Thu, 11 Aug 2016 20:53:44 GMT

You don't necessarily need to retake your maths GCSE, you can complete key skills and be accepted onto the diploma

RE: Direction advice?

Louise Baldwin — Thu, 11 Aug 2016 20:34:18 GMT

Hi Littlelowe,

Thanks for the reply. I did think that it would be 7.20 an hour however this is significantly less than my current salary so thats why I am worried such a big decline would be financially difficult. I am weighing the options though because I know if you want something enough you will find a way to make it work.

Pleased to here this was an advantage rather than a disadvantage. Can I ask what previous experience you had before applying to practices? I think my plan is to first get the maths gcse done then really start to get the ball rolling.

RE: Direction advice?

littlelowe — Thu, 11 Aug 2016 16:32:52 GMT

Hi Louise,

As you are 25+, the minimum wage you could get as an apprentice should be the national living wage they introduced in the last 12 months. That's £7.20ph, I think. I know a few students who work 40+ hour weeks at their practices, so maybe that might alleviate the financial concerns for you a little.

Personally, I found the local training practices on the RCVS website and went in to each one to tell them I was looking and leave a CV with a cover letter. Competition for placements can be quite high and some practices I went in to wanted students 6+ months prior to September courses. I found that my age and previous experience was more of a positive than negative when looking, but I was still lucky to find the student position I have now!

I hope that helps in some way!

Good luck! :)