One of our new forum members, nursing1, a mature age student nurse, raised the following question.
“I passed 1st year of my nursing degree in 2009. I have deferred this year and hope to return to university next year and complete my degree. During my very prac last year I had the facilitator from hell and almost put in a formal complaint about her attitude toward me. Her actions made me really think about my decision to enrol at university and have a career change mid life. I am hoping that fellow Nurse Uncut members may be able to perhaps give me some postive affirmations as to why I should continue and re-enrol next year…?”
We are sorry to hear this, nursing1, and hope that the bad experience with your facilitator has not put you off. A paper published by La Trobe University in Victoria discussed the importance of mid-life career transitions to nursing and mature age students.
‘Australia’s health care system is facing acute workforce shortages as the health workforce ages, more people opt to work part-time and the recruitment pool for those commencing employment diminishes.
For nursing, attracting an appropriately qualified workforce, in sufficient numbers to meet the demands of a changing health care system, is a complex task with no easy solution.
An initiative was developed that focused on looking at strategies to make it easier for people to enter, progress and re-enter the nursing profession.
Key reports have indicated that mature age students may be an important group in future workforce planning as numbers of the school leaver group diminishes and individuals more frequently change career directions.
Education providers see mature aged student nurses as a highly motivated group with strong communication skills and attributes such as time management, work ethic and life experiences were identified. The range of skills and experience that mature age students bring to the education and clinical setting is viewed as extremely valuable for the profession.
Overwhelmingly students reported satisfaction with their career choice despite the significant hurdles that they face in pursuing studies in nursing.’
Do we have any nurses that made a mid-career transition who can offer support or advice to nursing1? Are you a student nurse at the moment – what are your thoughts?
Image credit: RobW
Make sure you’re updated with the latest on Nurse Uncut, subscribe to our FREE NEWSLETTER
Don’t forget to enter our SPRING CONTEST
This post was proudly brought to you by the NSW Nurses’ Association.
my opinion is that although it sounds like a cliche, the best revenge you can get on people who behave like this facilitator is not to give up and be the best nurse you can be. dont let that persons bad attitude and nasty behaviour be what changes your mind about a nursing career…dont give her that satisfaction bcos even though she wouldnt know the affect shes had on you..you always would. people like this might be able to shake you up, but dont let get to you long term. Easier said than done sometimes…but unfortunately the workforce in general(its not just nursing) is full of people like this who are just nasty, negative people. and if all the good, decent people gave up then where would we all be?????
im also a mature age student and so far my clinical teachers have been totally wonderful, truly lovely compassionate wholistic nurses who have been completely inspirational. we need more nurses like that, and if you continue with your course and become a nurse, then you can become that kind of nurse- the kind of nurse that we all would like to have looking after us if we were sick. i know thats the kind of nurse i want to be.
dont give up, finish your course and be the type of nurse that really does care about people- thats the very best revenge you could get…..
I’m so sorry you had such a horrid experience. Keep going – I’m sure as a mature nurse you will bring all sorts of life experience, understanding and empathy with you when you start your nursing practice.
I just wanted to let you all know that I have gained an Assistant in Nursing position at my local hospital.I am returning to university next year to start my 2nd year of the degree.Thank you to those who replied to my initial posting and to all of you who may have read my posting.
I am determined to be the best nurse I can be.