Too old for VN funding.

Re: Too old for VN funding.

Laura Ringsell — Thu, 08 Apr 2010 09:08:32 GMT

[quote user="Tracy Windler RVN"]

Firstly, I would disagree with them saying that you would need to study the ANA as your GCSE's are more than 10 yrs old. That is rubbish!

[/quote]

Unfortunately not rubbish but college specific.I started nursing at 32/33 (can't remember) had a string of 'O' an 'A' Levels but still had to do the ANA There was a long thread on here last year about the same topic. Unfortunately some colleges insist that you do the ANA if your qualifications are >10 years old - my college did, and some are more flexible. I am not sure but maybe this also applies to the funding available too and if the colleges are prepared to put the leg work in to do the paperwork. My old college did provide funding for the under 25s but it was quite a new thing then. As with alot of things this seems to be another minefield of different oppurtunities depending on location.

I totally agree that it seems to be getting harder and harder for older nurses to start on a carear that they have thought long and hard about there are many hurdels to climb over and loops to jump through but I guess with all things in life patience and persistance pays off.

I was very disappointed that what I thought was going to be a 2 year course suddenly became 3 years but the time flew, i loved every bit of my training and my training practise and have never looked back.

Investigate every avenue open to you, find a good training practise and you will be rewarded but do expect to come up against a few compromises - good luck.

Re: Too old for VN funding.

Clare Singleton — Wed, 07 Apr 2010 19:10:35 GMT

This is great to know as I'm 29 and right at the begining trying to find a practice before I can start my training.

Re: Too old for VN funding.

FINNIGAN — Tue, 06 Apr 2010 17:26:34 GMT

can i just ask y this wasnt discussed when your practise took u on, they must have known your age etc, can you not bring this up with them, good luck im sure itll work out.

Re: Too old for VN funding.

Tracy Windler RVN — Mon, 05 Apr 2010 14:40:35 GMT

Firstly, I would disagree with them saying that you would need to study the ANA as your GCSE's are more than 10 yrs old. That is rubbish! I started VN training at 26, so my GCSE's were more than 10 yrs old, I had to do a quick English and Maths test to asses the level I was working at. I got a higher grade than one of the 17yr olds on my course who had got a B GCSE the year before. I achieved a B grade 10yrs before!

I found it difficult getting funding for my course, but I did get a grant (as previously mentioned on another thread) from BVNA. So it is do-able! As others have mentioned, it is a benefit putting yourself through the course- you're not be-holden to anyone and if the placement is a nice place to work, you would not want to shoot yourself in the foot.

I think all this age-discrimintaion is apalling. How many 17-19 yr olds start these courses and give up after a few months? Such a waste of money! In my experience, older students know what they want, are more determined and dedicated. Much better investment for the Governments money!

Re: Too old for VN funding.

Katy — Mon, 05 Apr 2010 13:28:40 GMT

I still reckon I got funded by the Learning and Skills Council, which isn't County specific.

Ah well. It's totally ageist in my opinion. Thought the government wanted people in jobs?

Come and join the NHS! Lol!

Re: Too old for VN funding.

albatross — Mon, 05 Apr 2010 12:41:26 GMT

my college tried and tried everywhere but came back to me and said no funding was available as the rules were different now, and they didn't have any free places and it was down to the TP to pay....there endeth my chance to train...on the scrapheap as too old, and no TP's taking one even under new rules down here (well only one place has advertised in the last 6 months).
The college local to the TP though did fund the 2nd year for a girl a good few years older than me - so maybe it's county specific as to how much councils fund students?

Re: Too old for VN funding.

Katy — Mon, 05 Apr 2010 12:38:00 GMT

As i've said before, the colleges have funding available to them. My practice only had to pay for the IV-ing, which they would have to do with any student VN.

The college got all the funding for my VN course - it was nothing to do with the practice.

I was 30 when I started the course. Speak to the colleges that offer VN training in your area and let them find funding for you!

Re: Too old for VN funding.

albatross — Mon, 05 Apr 2010 11:20:39 GMT

I had a similar problem last year. Grants for under 25's are available but over 25 the colleges require fees to be paid either by the practice or the student.
In my case the practice originally agreed to pay but the day before I was due to start college they couldn't find the money and so ended my chance to train (and due to lack of money anywyay I lost my job a couple of weeks later - even though I had offered to pay my own fees, they couldn't afford to pay my wages any longer and due to staff reductions generally an extra nurse wasn't needed any more).

Re: Too old for VN funding.

Kerry Spain — Mon, 05 Apr 2010 06:53:04 GMT

Stuff the practice, if it's unfair or illegal bloody well tell them! This sort of thing really gets my back up, I've had to shell out for level 3 course, exams plus every course AND cpd I've done since. I too got told I was too old but it's just an excuse to weedle out of paying for you at the end of the day.

Re: Too old for VN funding.

Sal the 1st — Sun, 04 Apr 2010 12:37:05 GMT

[quote user="FINNIGAN"]

you need to ask your college, im 47 and they put me on the modern apprentiship course, paid all my fees , revision courses and books!!! it was done thru my college provider.

[/quote]

thanks for your input on this

have spent the last week or so tracking down all the info I could for a couple of people who want to train but were having problems with funding as they are over 25. Have looked at quite a few options with them but the modern apprenticeship seemed to offer them the best chance (there are drawbacks with this if your boss doesnt want to pay the minimum wage as they are within their rights to do so under the terms of the apprenticeship but if you have a decent boss this shouldnt be a problem).

There have been a few posts on here about the proposed new training only benefitting the younger students and whilst I think this is largely true there are possibilities for funding available (until last week I was convinced that older students were being pushed out completely as I wasnt aware of different schemes and funding available) - but you do have to research and go out there and find them, they wont come looking for you unfortunately. yes it will be harder for older students but it isnt impossible - so keep looking and stick with it

Re: Too old for VN funding.

Katy — Sun, 04 Apr 2010 12:05:25 GMT

I managed to get funding when I did the VN course, and I was the wrong side of 30! If your college is any good, they should be able to get funding for you! I think mine was through the Learning and Skills Council?

Re: Too old for VN funding.

Laura Ringsell — Sun, 04 Apr 2010 11:16:41 GMT

I too was 'too old' for my college course to be funded but was also lucky that my practise paid for all of my college fees and my exam fees - of course if you failed on first attempt you were then on your own. I think you need to take everything into consideration - your college fees and exam fees are part of your salary at the end of the day so that must also be taken into consideration. The whole thing must be seen as a package and in the scheme of things paying for some or all of your training is worth it if you are happy in your job, feel you are being paid a good wage and have the support for your training. You could go somewhere else where the only good thing may be that your training is being paid for -I would think carefully before complaining if I were you. Good luck in what ever you decide.

Re: Too old for VN funding.

FINNIGAN — Sun, 04 Apr 2010 10:37:14 GMT

you need to ask your college, im 47 and they put me on the modern apprentiship course, paid all my fees , revision courses and books!!! it was done thru my college provider.

Re: Too old for VN funding.

Sandra Taylor RVN, MBVNA — Sat, 03 Apr 2010 22:21:25 GMT

I think it has always been the case that older peeps get less funding, certainly in my day... I was too old for funding but was lucky enought that my practice paid it for me.

Look at local government funding etc.. I dont thnk you bosses are being too unreasonable personally, especially if there is funding out there for you.... stick with it, it will be worth it in the end.

I dont think they are doing anything illegal, just looking after their own back ...so to speak!

Re: Too old for VN funding.

Caro Laithwaite VN — Sat, 03 Apr 2010 22:14:24 GMT

Yes ok ok l was defending us getting oldies l agree that you shouldn't get back up it just hacks me off big time the way people behave in this case bosses. They want but won't pay

Re: Too old for VN funding.

Nick Shackleton — Sat, 03 Apr 2010 21:24:43 GMT

I personally would try and stay away from getting your practices backs up with threatening legal action etc.... you might find yourself outta a job.

have a look at the direct gov website

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/EducationAndLearning/AdultLearning/FinancialHelpForAdultLearners/index.htm

Re: Too old for VN funding.

Caro Laithwaite VN — Sat, 03 Apr 2010 17:34:07 GMT

Still has to be justified and to say more funding l do not see as justifying it nor l would bet would the law. As an oldie l am all for sticking up for us oldies. You still got a few years to go to be an oldie

Re: Too old for VN funding.

Caro Laithwaite VN — Sat, 03 Apr 2010 17:32:23 GMT

Here is the acas comments

Here is more info CIPD

Re: Too old for VN funding.

Sal the 1st — Sat, 03 Apr 2010 17:29:36 GMT

yes there are laws for age discrimination, but the point is more funding is available for the under 25s than there is available for over 25s so practice would have to pay more which I guess is the sticking point here?

If you can get your boss to pay you a decent wage under the apprenticeship and not just the bare minimum it might just work (NHS are doing this as well now apparently)

Re: Too old for VN funding.

Sal the 1st — Sat, 03 Apr 2010 17:25:17 GMT

dont know if this would work or not - but maybe worth looking into , modern apprenticeships? there are no age limits. Was discussing this with an adult education provider on Thursday

Re: Too old for VN funding.

Caro Laithwaite VN — Sat, 03 Apr 2010 17:25:04 GMT

Nope but at the risk of sounding pissy your practice's excuse is illegal from my understanding of the new discrimination age laws. They can not call you to old and have to come up with a better excuse. if they are willing to fund a young person then they have to fund you. Sounds like they want a cheap nurse.

I would look at legal advice if you are a member of the bvna or go to acas or citizens advice or a lawyer

Having said that l self funded as l did not want to be beholden to anyone especially not the "person" that owned the practice.