Mature student ..VN training

RE: Mature student ..VN training

Emma Aurelia — Thu, 08 Mar 2018 20:26:41 GMT

Well done yiu must be so excited ..

i didn't have all the he grades but my time in practice and a btec in another subject all helped ..

share you're concerns re NVQ and full time ..I will speak with the colledge about this ..

am so so glad you've connected with someone who can see your worth ..you can't make that passion be there or affinity ..it's just there ..ooh get you re clinical training ..super ..age is but a number ..life experience and determination are all good qualities ..some of my friends have retrained later in life in other areas but they have all said it's easier now they are older ..able to focus ..self discipline etc ..all help !!! We can all learn from each other on our journeys !!

Thanks again .,be proud of you and keep going in that direction ..yiu very much deserve it :-))) ..

RE: Mature student ..VN training

Emma Aurelia — Thu, 08 Mar 2018 20:20:31 GMT

Thankyou so much ...by corporates do yiu mean cvs , vetsets etc ?

Ahh ok re degree ..i am concerned about the extra work with the degree ..I know the NVQ is tough on its own .,I still think I am better suited to on the job learning ..I think I would have to juggle more re degree ..live away from home for the two uni days ..plus pay a friend / dog sitter for my two gorgeous Italian greyh both rescue ..it's all swings and roundabouts ..lol but there is always a way and sacrifices to be made for the duration of training ..

thanks ..I hope so ..:-))) I have been trying for a long time and have had to overcome many hurdles along the way../-) thank you

RE: Mature student ..VN training

Roanneth Slater-Brown — Thu, 08 Mar 2018 19:11:32 GMT

I start my degree with the College of Animal Welfare in October, currently still ploughing through the Acces to HE course, so if you already have the grades, lucky girl! The ageism was implied, never actually said or acknowledged, but one gets to recognise if the Head Nurse & Clinical Coaches are intimidated by a mature person...

Another reason I went the degree route was I doubted my ability to work full time at a TP with day release for college & still do the necessary assignments after being on the roster & likely knackered after 9 or so hours on my feet.

The most compelling reason for me is as I get older & my body starts to give me issues (will be starting the degree at 47 ) I have the option to do a PT Masters in another related field that maybe takes less of a physical toll & allows me to go on to retirement age without killing myself, lol.

I have to agree with your comment on it just takes one person to see your worth & take a chance on you, I have been fortunate to meet that person during a month long work experience at a referral hospital & I have been promised clinical training there which I am very, very chuffed about.

Keep pushing for work experience & you will hopefully meet that key contact.

Good luck!

RE: Mature student ..VN training

Tania Ford — Thu, 08 Mar 2018 18:17:56 GMT

[quote user="Emma Aurelia"]if you had the option of degree or NVQ which would you go for ..? [/quote]

I may get blasted for this one, but i have to say the diploma would be my preference any day over the degree. The degree course is much more in depth and to be honest not worth the extra work as you will rarely use a lot of what you are taught and it rarely gives you a better salary at the end of it. I believe that a lot, if not most of the job is practical rather than theory, so for me learning whilst working and being practical was best. If the degree route is your only way in, then go for it, but don't rule out the diploma route

RE: Mature student ..VN training

Sam.23 — Thu, 08 Mar 2018 18:12:28 GMT

May be worth looking at some of the corporates if part time is what you want or even degree route :) a friend of mine is a mature student (early 40s) and took the degree route because she was able to juggle things better. My advice would be not to give up :) There's a practice out there that would love to have you!

RE: Mature student ..VN training

Emma Aurelia — Thu, 08 Mar 2018 17:58:30 GMT

Thanks so much ..yes re NVQ it would take another year after the first two to complete the required hours ..then again the degree is min 3 or 4 yrs depending ...which one you opt for ..

thats amazing that you qualified and managed your conditions ..but yes there are options once qualified ..

i am tempted to apply for the degree now in Cornwall ..then see when this new local hospital is built ..if you had the option of degree or NVQ which would you go for ..? I favour the NVQ but places are very limited ..

really apprecKate your help and feedback ..thanks for thinking of me :-)

RE: Mature student ..VN training

Tania Ford — Thu, 08 Mar 2018 13:57:21 GMT

You are never too old to train. I worked as an unqualified nurse for over 25 years, and eventually qualified at the grand old age of 43 and celebrated 30 years in the business last year! Part time could be a problem though as with the diploma route, you will not have worked the amount of stipulated hours by the end of the training and will only be able to be put on the register once you have completed said hours. I fully understand why you wish to try part time as I myself suffer from autoimmune related illnesses (rheumatoid arthritis & Crohns), and working full time (whilst training) does put a strain on your body. Once qualified though, the world will be your oyster as there is such a shortage of us at present. My point being, maybe try full time if you illnesses will allow, whilst gaining your qualification. Then take time to yourself when you need it (locuming part time could be an option as the salary is much better).

Never say you are too old for anything. If you don't give it a go, you will never know and always be wondering 'what if'. Good luck xx

RE: Mature student ..VN training

Emma Aurelia — Thu, 08 Mar 2018 09:04:10 GMT

Hiya ..thanks for the encouragement ..wow well done you...!! So happy for you..if I can get into practice it's a start..and go from there..for me it's also about finding the right practice re layout and space ..there is a big vet hospital being built here but non finish date so am waiting for that as well..in meantime getting as much work exp at various practices ..as I can ..:-) I have to say here in the SW it's better but am hoping someone will see the passion and determination in me ..like the vet I first worked for ..he saw something in me and my potential ..he gave me a chance ..and it worked although it wasn't a training practice ..so fingers crossed ..:-) .

RE: Mature student ..VN training

sarahkat — Thu, 08 Mar 2018 05:55:20 GMT

Hi PLEASE don't give up keep trying. I have been in practice for 8 years and just qualified, at the age of 41.

Keep on trying.

RE: Mature student ..VN training

Emma Aurelia — Wed, 07 Mar 2018 21:35:27 GMT

Thanks so much for your advice :-)

i have considered the degree route. I was accepted for degree a few years ago but eye problems arose and I couldn't start the course. These have been sorted thankfully. I have since moved to the SW and it's either Bristol or Cornwall ..both of which would involve allot of travelling even if it's only two days a week. Finding a placement will still be a challenge as you are competing with others..I know some who have had to travel a long way to do a placement !!

Am in my 40s ..so still a good nubmber of working years ahead . I don't have children and I asked about pt nvq not due to my age but a medical condition ..and I know my limitations ..and I give allot when in work ..but that and the study ..it won't be easy at all ..!! Relocating is an option but not one I want to do lightly but I would if it came to it ..

how are you finding the degree so far? Thanks for telling me about

You're experience ..you have inspired me ! Thanks , am sorry you encountered ageism in your quest ..that's really not fair ..or right .

RE: Mature student ..VN training

Roanneth Slater-Brown — Wed, 07 Mar 2018 19:31:37 GMT

Not knowing how mature you are Emma, from my own experience, I can only say training positions are hard to get at the best of time & I eventually gave up as my 'maturity' appeared to intimidate the people who interviewed me. I have gone down the degree route, but had to go back to college this year to do an Access to Science course to get in as A-levels got blown off in my youth. I don't want to discourage you at all, but if you really want to be an RVN, maybe look at the alternative routes to getting there.