Please help,

Re: Please help,

Vicky RVN — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 21:09:13 GMT

I did the first year of the degree, failed the first year exams. But to be honest i didn't really put enough work into them because i was unhappy on the course and finding it very challenging. I was lucky and got a job in practice not many months after leaving the couse. Have now sat my NVQ 2 exams and have found the work SO much easier than on the degree. This is probably because the people who are teaching me at MYF are fab at teaching. I would agree with what Gillian said, try and stick on the couse until you find a job in practice being that places are hard to find.

Re: Please help,

Kay Eminson — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 13:42:16 GMT

Im now going to go onto my 4th and final year of my BSc and I have qualified with my NVQs, was its just your business type modules you failed?

The things that are in your NVQ exams are covered in your degree exams, but there are some things learnt that BSc level which are more in depth and not needed in the NVQ exams.

Are you currently in practice? My degree was made up of 2 days at college and 3 days in practice so if that is your situation then it would be easier to change course.

The advantages of a BSc over a NVQ only qualification is if you wanted to change careers as you have done the business aspect. In terms of a VN job i cant see employers seeing a degree as better than the day release nurses as its all the same at the end of the day.

Re: Please help,

Gillian Mostyn — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 13:18:49 GMT

Speaking as an employer, I would be happy to employ either - no difference.

As far as swapping - I guess it depends on the reason why you are struggling to pass your exams. My concern is that while at college, you should be receiving a lot of support and one-to-one attention from your tutors - although you will obviously have to ask for it first! Therefore, without the 'burden' of full-time employment, and with the systems in place to get your academic work done, all the opportunities are there for you to study well. To do the NVQ route you need to be able to do the same course, but also hold down a full-time job. Although your practice will support you as best they can, they do not have time in practice to go through everything with you. You would also only attend college either one day per week or in block release - so you will need to have the discipline to do the work yourself at home.

I guess what I am saying (and please don't take this the wrong way) is that the academic work you have to do will be the same via either route - and if you are struggling to do it while in full-time education, I would be concerned that it certainly wouldn't be 'easier' to pass when working. However, if there are other reasons (poor course, poor tutors, or that you just don't enjoy being at college and would rather be working) then maybe the NVQ would be better.

A word of warning - SVN posts are like hen's teeth - especially at the moment - and it would be a lot easier to get a job as a QVN. I wouldn't leave college unless you find a training job first!