Tonight I have sat here and done nothing but reflect on my journey and how it has gone thus far. I started reading all my threads on Student Nurse. I started from my very first one that I posted back in July 2011, and I'm not afraid to say, those memories made it an emotional read! I remember when I first introduced myself and talked about being accepted onto the Access course and how excited I was to be starting. I remember posting about things such as my personal statement and seeking advice, wondering whether I should have applied to more than one university, and ranting about things that, in hindsight, didn't really matter. I remember posting about getting my invite to interview and feeling so low at how terrible I thought it went, and then feeling elation when I saw those two words 'conditional offer'. I remember how relieved I felt when my Access course was over, going over to the university with my fellow Access students to get our grades verified and treating our personal tutor to a thank you meal. I remember how relaxed I felt after finishing, but then how quickly things became manic as I prepared myself for university. I got extremely excited when the time drew closer to start uni and everything I had worked for was starting to become real. I remember feeling the excitement and the anticipation when we got started with our academic work, and then feeling really good about myself after each day on placement... I was just full of nothing but enthusiasm for everything I did.
Then, my concentration started to lapse, my motivation and dedication began to dwindle, my passion for what I did slowly ebbed away, and my mind began to wonder. Then, while on placement, standing in the radiology department observing a patient having an X-Ray and an ultrasound, I thought to myself 'How fascinating, maybe I should of done that.' Contemplating such a thing was enough to tell me, a career in nursing isn't what I really wanted. I am merely paraphrasing my thoughts and feelings here, it was much more than that but it's hard to explain, let's just say, I trust my instincts. I left university and the world of nursing, and today, 5 months after I left it all behind, I don't regret what I did. Nursing is a great profession, the role that they carry out day after day is nothing short of extraordinary, and without the experiences I had along the way, I would never have considered trying to enter a new profession that is of greater interest to me. Leaving wasn't easy, but I take solace in the fact that I left nursing to chase a dream I never thought I had, and not because I hated it or I couldn't be bothered with it or anything such as that. I did it because I inadvertently found something that interested me more, a career that holds the prospect of me moving into a role that will allow me to delve deep into the human anatomy and to see it, explore it and interpret it. Some of you must think I'm mad, but I have a genuine love for anatomy and physiology and to be able to go on a learn more about it, to have the knowledge to interpret an image and report on it sounds perfect to me. I know there is a lot of hard work involved, and a few years being qualified until I can do postgraduate study, but I will get there.
Right, I'm glad I've got that out of my system. I'm fed up of people asking me why I left university as though I made a rash decision. I know why I left and it was with full intention of going back to study something else, I'm merely side stepping into another health profession. Again, just to emphasise that I do not, in any way shape or form, dislike nursing or disliked my course. I have great respect for nurses, especially now I understand, more than most who have a pop at them, what they do on a daily basis, the tough times they go through, the long hours they put in, and am amazed at the fact that many put their role as nurse before their own family at times, just to help others. Extraordinary. So before you bad mouth a nurse - think twice!
Update on my current situation:
Things have been moving along quite nicely, although I have spent the
last few months looking for a job. I recently found a vacancy on NHS
Jobs for a Theatre Support Worker role and jumped at it. Four weeks
after applying and accepting I wouldn't hear anything, I got an email
inviting me to interview. Today I got the details telling me it is on
12th July. The only thing is, there is a test in the morning. They said
it is a 'general test' which I'm taking to mean basic maths and english.
If I have been successful in the test I will be invited back to have a
formal interview that afternoon. I'm a little nervous, but I'm sure I'll
be fine. I really want this job, some people have wondered whether
becoming an ODP is something I am interested in, and the answer to that
is no. It would be interesting to see how they work, but ultimately I
want to become a radiographer. This job would suit me right now because I
love the hospital environment and it will see me through until I return
to university.
Speaking of which, UCAS Entry for 2014
is now open and I have pretty much completed my application and all I
need to do now is put some finishing touches to my personal statement,
and contact my former college tutor to ask if they are happy to be my
referee as I am now applying as an independent person and not through
the college like last time. Ideally I would like to have it sent off by
the end of August then it will over and done with and hopefully I will
get an interview this side of Christmas, that's the theory anyway, haha!
Last year we applied around October/November and didn't get an
interview until the following February.
18 April 2013
My New Journey
A big hello to all my old followers, and to those who are reading this for the first time. It has been a very interesting couple of months and I'm pleased to say I am now back will be posting more regularly. Before I begin to explain everything that has happened, as my little intro on the right hand side suggests, my new blog will pick up from the time I left university, so if you wish to read my blog entry on leaving nursing, you can find it here; Leaving Nursing: The Final Word and for those interested in reading my old nursing blogs, you can find those here; Old Nursing Entries.
So, there I was, I remember being at home that day I left looking at myself in the mirror, and the man staring back at me was, for intents and purposes, a university dropout. I had so many mixed emotions at that point; I felt good about myself for doing what I did, but I also felt annoyed at myself. I always thought I would never be one of those people to drop out, I had been given such an amazing opportunity and had worked so hard to get into what I thought at the time was my dream profession. It is a very tough realisation when no matter how hard you put your mind to it, the very thing you thought you were committed to and passionate about, wasn't your passion at all. I just felt it, and instinct told me to leave. I have always trusted my instincts and now, months later, I knew it was the right thing. So once I left, I had to really dig deep and try and find what it was I was looking for. I knew one thing for certain I wanted to explore in more depth; radiography. I really had to do more research and think hard as to whether this could be a lifelong career. Well, I have a love for anatomy and physiology, I knew I still wanted to work in health and with the human body in some way. I then started to think about other interests; I'm a technology enthusiast, I consider myself to be good with it and am a faster learner when using it. I also have an interest in physics, not a huge interest, but the inquisitive mind in me looks to physics to explain how certain things happen when I don't quite understand. Radiology deals with all these three things, now I know radiology is more complicated but if I had an interest in these 3 areas then surely it's a good sign that this could be something I could do. Once I realised this, I needed to be sure by somehow observing what radiographers did and ask questions about the role...
As my previous blog told you, on the 9th April I began work experience in a radiology department at my local hospital, and I absolutely loved it. During the day I got to shadow various radiographers and was able to spend time in X-ray, MRI, CT and Ultrasound. It all confirmed to me that radiography is definitely the most suited role for me, and I will now most definitely be applying to do a Diagnostic Radiography degree. Even though I found nursing wasn't for me and left, I don't regret a thing about it. Nursing is an amazing profession and I was very lucky to be mentored by some great nurses, and I learned so much that I will take with me for the rest of my working life, such as knowledge that will be very valuable to me as a radiography student.
So right now it is just a waiting game until I can begin the process of applying for Diagnostic Radiography for the September 2014 intake. I have my work experience form completed, as the university requires evidence that I have had work experience with a radiographer, and my personal statement is complete. Now I just need to find something to do in the meantime.
I hope you are all well, and to my nursing student friends, I hope uni is still going well for you.
Take care
So, there I was, I remember being at home that day I left looking at myself in the mirror, and the man staring back at me was, for intents and purposes, a university dropout. I had so many mixed emotions at that point; I felt good about myself for doing what I did, but I also felt annoyed at myself. I always thought I would never be one of those people to drop out, I had been given such an amazing opportunity and had worked so hard to get into what I thought at the time was my dream profession. It is a very tough realisation when no matter how hard you put your mind to it, the very thing you thought you were committed to and passionate about, wasn't your passion at all. I just felt it, and instinct told me to leave. I have always trusted my instincts and now, months later, I knew it was the right thing. So once I left, I had to really dig deep and try and find what it was I was looking for. I knew one thing for certain I wanted to explore in more depth; radiography. I really had to do more research and think hard as to whether this could be a lifelong career. Well, I have a love for anatomy and physiology, I knew I still wanted to work in health and with the human body in some way. I then started to think about other interests; I'm a technology enthusiast, I consider myself to be good with it and am a faster learner when using it. I also have an interest in physics, not a huge interest, but the inquisitive mind in me looks to physics to explain how certain things happen when I don't quite understand. Radiology deals with all these three things, now I know radiology is more complicated but if I had an interest in these 3 areas then surely it's a good sign that this could be something I could do. Once I realised this, I needed to be sure by somehow observing what radiographers did and ask questions about the role...
As my previous blog told you, on the 9th April I began work experience in a radiology department at my local hospital, and I absolutely loved it. During the day I got to shadow various radiographers and was able to spend time in X-ray, MRI, CT and Ultrasound. It all confirmed to me that radiography is definitely the most suited role for me, and I will now most definitely be applying to do a Diagnostic Radiography degree. Even though I found nursing wasn't for me and left, I don't regret a thing about it. Nursing is an amazing profession and I was very lucky to be mentored by some great nurses, and I learned so much that I will take with me for the rest of my working life, such as knowledge that will be very valuable to me as a radiography student.
So right now it is just a waiting game until I can begin the process of applying for Diagnostic Radiography for the September 2014 intake. I have my work experience form completed, as the university requires evidence that I have had work experience with a radiographer, and my personal statement is complete. Now I just need to find something to do in the meantime.
I hope you are all well, and to my nursing student friends, I hope uni is still going well for you.
Take care
4 April 2013
Leaving Nursing: The Final Word
I'm sad to say that my nursing journey has come to an end... I came to the realisation that nursing wasn't for me and I wasn't putting my all in to it. As hard as it was to make the decision to leave, I can't force myself into a career in which I'm not 100% dedicated to. I honestly thought nursing was for me. I didn't apply for the course on a whim, I worked for 4 years as a HCA and worked with numerous nurses and truly thought it would be the ideal career for me. I guess you just don't know how it's going to be until you're finally there.
As I have already told others, my decision to leave was never based on any bad experiences or anything like that. My placement was amazing and I have learnt things from exceptional mentors that I will keep with me for a long time, and the university I was at is incredible. Any student would be lucky to be there. I loved it, so much so, I fully intend to go back on another course.
So, where do I go from here? Well, whilst on placement I got to visit the radiology department and I was completely fascinated by it. I am really into anatomy and physiology and I know I still want a career in which I can still use that knowledge and learn even more, so diagnostic radiography seems a strong possibility. I have work experience arranged for Tues 9th April to shadow a radiographer which I'm really looking forward to, and if indeed it is something that I end up enjoying I will apply to do a Diagnostic Radiography degree in 2014.
I know a lot of people I have already told about my leaving are shocked, it wasn't easy for me, and no one can say I didn't go into it with every confidence and enthusiasm. Previous blogs can account for that. It would have been unfair of me to carry on for the sake of it, I've heard of many people going into nursing for the sole reason that their course is paid for by the NHS and they get a job at the end of it, that isn't the kind of person I am. There's no point me going through the course halfhearted, I wouldn't be any use to anyone. I've always trusted my instincts, it has now been nearly 6 weeks since I left and I don't regret it at all. I know I did the right thing and I'm now looking forward to my new journey. I may even start a blog for that when the time comes.
If anyone has any questions or would like to say anything, please leave comments below.
Thank you to everyone who has supported me since I started this journey with the Access course in 2011, up to now. Your support has meant a great deal.
All the best. =)
As I have already told others, my decision to leave was never based on any bad experiences or anything like that. My placement was amazing and I have learnt things from exceptional mentors that I will keep with me for a long time, and the university I was at is incredible. Any student would be lucky to be there. I loved it, so much so, I fully intend to go back on another course.
So, where do I go from here? Well, whilst on placement I got to visit the radiology department and I was completely fascinated by it. I am really into anatomy and physiology and I know I still want a career in which I can still use that knowledge and learn even more, so diagnostic radiography seems a strong possibility. I have work experience arranged for Tues 9th April to shadow a radiographer which I'm really looking forward to, and if indeed it is something that I end up enjoying I will apply to do a Diagnostic Radiography degree in 2014.
I know a lot of people I have already told about my leaving are shocked, it wasn't easy for me, and no one can say I didn't go into it with every confidence and enthusiasm. Previous blogs can account for that. It would have been unfair of me to carry on for the sake of it, I've heard of many people going into nursing for the sole reason that their course is paid for by the NHS and they get a job at the end of it, that isn't the kind of person I am. There's no point me going through the course halfhearted, I wouldn't be any use to anyone. I've always trusted my instincts, it has now been nearly 6 weeks since I left and I don't regret it at all. I know I did the right thing and I'm now looking forward to my new journey. I may even start a blog for that when the time comes.
If anyone has any questions or would like to say anything, please leave comments below.
Thank you to everyone who has supported me since I started this journey with the Access course in 2011, up to now. Your support has meant a great deal.
All the best. =)
20 January 2013
Brief Update
Hey everyone
My apologies that I haven't been able to keep up with my blog posts. I have had so much going on lately.
It doesn't feel like 5 minutes since I started uni and have already completed 4 weeks of placement, I'm back an uni now preparing for a poster presentation, my numeracy exam and my OSCE, it feels like there's so much going on right now. I also have my kids 3 days a week, as well as a part time job! I feel like Super Dad sometimes, haha.
Anyway, once all of this is over (in the next 2-3 weeks) I will definitely be back and attempting regular blogs. To all my current student nurse friends, I hope your time at uni is going well. For those I know who are currently on Access, I hope things are going well for you too.
Take care =)
My apologies that I haven't been able to keep up with my blog posts. I have had so much going on lately.
It doesn't feel like 5 minutes since I started uni and have already completed 4 weeks of placement, I'm back an uni now preparing for a poster presentation, my numeracy exam and my OSCE, it feels like there's so much going on right now. I also have my kids 3 days a week, as well as a part time job! I feel like Super Dad sometimes, haha.
Anyway, once all of this is over (in the next 2-3 weeks) I will definitely be back and attempting regular blogs. To all my current student nurse friends, I hope your time at uni is going well. For those I know who are currently on Access, I hope things are going well for you too.
Take care =)
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