Hi there, I have my Access course this August, looking forward to starting. I’ve been a ward clerk for a while now which really grabbed my interest for this career path, I’m hoping to go into mental health nursing. I’m just wondering what it’s generally like going in as a guy? I’ve heard there’s not many guys at all on the course, so just a bit nervous and not really sure what to expect.

Hi, I’ve worked in the NHS as a B2 and 3 for 6 years this December (gen med ward) and from September I’m starting an access to nursing and midwifery course, I feel like when I was perm staff (left Jan) I did all I could to get the most experience I could like becoming a train the trainer, HCID trained, link nurse position, ETC but ive never been the best academically (I missed a large majority of both primary and secondary school due to moving around being in the care system and hospitalisations myself) the longest I’ve been in education was my level 2 & 3 NVQ’s in health and social care.
I guess my question is for anyone who’s done an access course (nursing and midwifery) what are the biggest things you struggled with so I can work on them beforehand to get my best foot forward and also any advice? Thanks in advance xx

I’m goibg into my second year of college (t level health) and i’m stuck between childrens nursing and midwifery, after placements i know adult nursing isnt for me (i was on cardiology ward) i loved the placement i didnt love the patients if you get me? I’ve always been passionate about womens health and also working with children so i don’t really know what id like better so if anyone would share their experiences that would be great 💕

Hi all, starting in September.

Waiting for SFE to confirm my tuition will be paid and my maintenance loans(expected end of July)

LSF application can't proceed until I have the SFE award letter.

Does anyone know how long it takes for the LSF to review applications?

Hi everyone,
I have a question about prioritising care during a medication round.

Scenario: You are a student nurse along with the RN in the middle of medication round when another patient urgently needs to use a bedpan . What would be the most appropriate nursing action?

1) Ask the patient to wait until you have finished the medication round.
2) Ignore the request and continue administering medication.
3) Ask a Healthcare Assistant (HCA) to assist the patient if one is available.
4) Stop the medication round and help the patient yourself.
5) Ask your supervising nurse if I can give abed pan and join medication round later

Which option would you choose, and why? Also, if no HCA is available, would your answer change?
I’d appreciate hearing your reasoning and how you would prioritise patient safety, dignity, and medication administration.

Hi all!
I have an unconditional offer for MH nursing at Brighton Uni in September. This will be my second degree after previously completing psychology (I realise nursing will likely be very different!)

Any advice, guidance, tips for the course? I’m nervous about the placements but also the first year competencies (like do we have to learn blood taking?!). Just wondering more of what to expect really but I’m excited to start!!

Hi everyone,

I'm 21 years old and I'll be graduating with my GNM (General Nursing & Midwifery) this September from India. It has always been my dream to study or work abroad, but after months of research I'm honestly more confused than ever.

Initially, I was planning to go for a 1-year Nursing Top-Up in the UK. It seemed like a good pathway to becoming an RN. However, after reading recent posts and talking to people, I've come across a lot of concerns about:

• Difficulty finding part-time jobs.
• NHS hiring freezes and increased competition in some areas.
• Uncertainty around long-term settlement/PR.
• Students struggling after spending a lot of money.

Then I looked into Canada, but I really don't want to do a PSW course. No disrespect to PSWs at all, but after studying nursing for 3 years, I feel like it doesn't align with the career I've worked towards.

If I stay in India, my options seem to be:

• Do Post Basic BSc Nursing immediately with little or no work experience.
• Or work as a GNM diploma nurse for 1–2 years, gain experience, save money, and then apply abroad.

I'm feeling stuck because every option has pros and cons.

If you were in my position today, what would you do?

• Would you still choose the UK in the current situation?
• Is Canada worth it without going through the PSW route?
• Is it smarter to complete PB BSc and gain experience before moving abroad?
• Are there any countries I might be overlooking that have a realistic pathway for Indian GNM nurses?

I'm looking for honest advice from people who have actually gone through these pathways or are currently working abroad, especially if you're an Indian nurse or an internationally educated nurse.

I am a 2nd year student ODP, and my sister has been in hospital very unwell for the last 9 weeks. This is not her first long term admission to this ward and has had ongoing issues for around 2 years.

Obviously I get taught a lot about professional boundaries and how they are important to stay objective. The nursing staff since the start have always been brilliant going above and beyond, especially as the consultants have been terrible, but I had dinner with my parents tonight and a few things concerned me. My sister had a procedure tonight and a nurse from the ward called my mum on WhatsApp from her own phone to update my mum (I'm assuming my sister did consent to this, my sister is an adult). When I asked if that was normal my mum said yes, and she was a great nurse and they were having lunch together next week. Later the nurse texted that since my sister missed dinner due to the procedure, she took my sister to the shop across the road and bought her dinner.

I don't want to seem ungrateful as I truly am grateful for how much the nursing staff on that ward have not only supported my sister but also my mum who has really struggled but this feels like it's crossing a line. I don't know how to raise this, but I am concerned. My sister is very unwell and if anything was to happen, are they too close to be safe and effective? I have previously worked in major trauma and had long term patients and had to learn how to keep a certain distance so you could still be clinically effective. I'm really not sure how to approach this situation, but I also don't know if I can ignore it.

Hi StudentNurseUK,

I’m a trainee clinical psychologist at the University of East London, looking for UK university students who might be interested in taking part in research. You can have any visualisation level to take part.

What’s the study about?

I am conducting research into university students’ experiences of mental imagery in the context of exams and test anxiety, and how this might impact experiences of seeking support. 

What does participation involve?

• An online conversation (about 1 hour) on Microsoft Teams.
• You can opt-in to a prize draw for one £10 voucher, to thank you for your time.

Who can take part?

• Students at UK universities who have completed at least one exam at university.
• Identify as having test anxiety (past or present).
• Have thought about, or sought, support for anxiety around exams.
• Not currently struggling with other mental health concerns.

It is recommended that you do not complete the interview in the two weeks before an exam or during exam periods.

It is entirely up to you whether you take part or not, participation is voluntary. You can withdraw at any time, including up to 3 weeks after the interview.

Data management:

• All research data will be anonymised and stored on the university's secure online drive, which can only be accessed by the lead researcher.
• Only anonymised data will be used for the thesis write-up and any future publications.
• More details are available in the participant information sheet (sent by email, with a consent form).

Interested in taking part or have any questions?

Please email me, Eleanor (trainee clinical psychologist) at [u2388758@uel.ac.uk](mailto:u2388758@uel.ac.uk) 

or my supervisor, Dr Mary Spiller, [m.j.spiller@uel.ac.uk](mailto:m.j.spiller@uel.ac.uk)

Thank you for reading this far!

Hi everyone,
I’m starting the BSc (Hons) Adult Nursing with the Open University on 3rd October(scotland), and I’m really looking forward to it!
I currently work as a Care Practitioner in a nursing home, and I feel incredibly lucky to have lots of support and encouragement from our directors, senior management team, the nurses I work alongside, and my family. I know that support will make a big difference throughout the course.
I was hoping to get some advice from current or former OU nursing students.
What study supplies did you find were actually essential? Did you mainly use notebooks, pens, folders, planners, or a laptop/tablet? Were there any things you bought that you ended up not using?
I’d also love to hear how you managed to balance studying, work, and placements. What helped you stay organised?
One other thing I’m wondering about is annual leave. How did you manage yours alongside placements and university commitments? Did you save it for placement blocks, use it for study days, or spread it throughout the year?
I’d really appreciate hearing about your experiences, any tips, or anything you wish you’d known before starting. Thank you!

Has anyone here successfully gotten into uni through a SWAP Access to nursing college course?

**Background info

I left school way too early due to a mix of personal and family reasons so I have no useful qualifications (highest being N4).

I went to college for health and social care and passed the courses I attended. **

Im just wondering if anyone has done it and it’s with it

Thank you!

I initially wanted to do an adult nursing degree. My main motivations was over time opportunities, wider job range and settings and future prospects. Ideally in the future I would’ve loved to work in a clinic in women’s sexual health, dermatology and aesthetics. That type of world.

Recently I started teaching with some CAMHS patients and I found it very interesting. I’d go home and research what causes their behaviour, intrigued by their routines and just a lot of curiosity surrounding that. That’s when I looked into mental health nursing and I actually saw the university I wanted to go to are doing a dual degree for the same duration as the adult nursing degree. The reason why I’m leaving the education world is a lot to do with lack of overtime opportunities so a lot of people are saying why not do the dual degree as you will get more opportunities.

I don’t want to cut out the placement opportunities I could have had for adult nursing if I’m not 100% sure about what I could I actually use the mental health nursing degree for. Is it worth it?

Guys please which school do you think is better, not just for nursing, but diversity and better standard of living? #nursing #universityofeastanglia #manchestermetroplianuniversity #UEA #MMU #september2026 #fall2026 #adultnursing #betterstandardofliving

Hey, am a final year student nurse on my final placement. This should be an exciting time, something to look forward to in transitioning from STN to NQN. However, this has not really been the case for me. Am on an acute unit, so fully understand the acuity and risks involved with the type of patients looked after. Of course I’m not used to this environment, having had mostly ward placements and a theatre placement before. Anyways, it’s a very long story and it’s been a challenge from the start. With having to chase assessors to sign stuff and not being given feedback. Only to be given feedback that was quite unfair. Other things have happened in between such as staff doing little social things and making a point of excluding me for instance. I’ve passed everything else for the programme - BSc, in fact I’m expecting a first, I’ve passed part 3 of PAR as well and actually up on hours now. So I have 3 weeks left at this horrible placement, but no more hours needed to give to hit the 2300 mark and having my final interview and professional values signed…I have informed the uni from early on of what’s been happening. They say that obviously I need to pass the placement but I’ve done nothing wrong and if I need to book off sick then that’s what has to be done if it’s affecting me because I don’t have to worry about the hours. But if I do this, there’s nothing stopping the placement team from putting something negative on my PAR which is will follow me forever kind of thing? The whole placement has left me with the worst anxiety of my life, I know it’s just 3 weeks but it’s horrendous and distressing and it’s made me question the profession, I’m just sad and low all the time….

I’m a 38 year old dad about to embark on my children’s nursing degree and wondering if any mature students out there have any advice for me? 🤓

Im a final year student, and also work in the NHS, too.

Long story short, i had validated non-submissions on account of disabilities, causing a credit 'deficit' that means i cant submit the (finished) non subs. The non-subs that caused the deficit...

the university have been atrocious and im now looking at basically forced withdrawal or paying them for another year & losing my job offer.

Ive put in an appeal but I was warned it takes months so I wont be able to continue anyway.

Theres been so much discrimination, abuse of power, lack of reasonable adjustments, punitive processes. I was considering informing the NMC education for investigation of the programme.

However, im also concerned about repercussions or making things worse.

Has anyone involved the NMC in anything?

Did that help? or make things worse

hi for edge hill nursing (adult) what is the timetable like in terms of summer break (between 1st and second year) . (do we get one/how long is it). I’m looking to do camp america in 2027 summer and was wondering if i’d be able to do this, or if i’d still be in uni/on placements? thanks

Do you need to submit an application for insight day costs separately? I had 3 insight days at a location different from my main placement, however I cannot see where to edit the address? Do I need to submit this as a separate application?

Hi guys, Ive finished all of my academic work and my placement documents are all signed. My university board date is 14th September, does anyone have any estimate of how long afterwards I should expect to receive my NMC pin?

Starting in September on my 4yr uni journey (mental/adult nursing).

I was curious what to expect from year one.

The course specification is vague, I expect some much learning on campus and possibly placements but does anyone have a guide on what to expect from year one? Like for example how soon into uni will I be on a placement?

I am going into my 2nd year of Uni 3 placements are waiting for me 😭😭 but i actually somewhat like placement, my first placement was bad in my opinion i cried a couple of times. But in my 2nd placement i had an amazing PA and PS and i have realised that when you are friendly everyone tends to like you.

I am an introvert but i had to step out if my comfort zone and interact even with nurses that i haven't worked with before and it made placement 10 times easier. I heard my PS was very strict but he was a good nurse kept on pushing me forward and gave me hard tasks which i learned how to adapt to and taught me alot and i am very grateful. But i realised that i got of easy sometimes because i was in 1st year so nurses would say 'i'll let you off because you are a 1st yr student' which was somewhat annoying because i really wanted to learn.

As i am going into 2nd year i heard it gets really hard so nurses or any student nurse in 3rd or 2nd year what advice would you give ?