Recruitment is beginning for a Bachelor/Master of nursing degree course starting in September 2016.
The three-year course is delivered by the Isle of Man Government’s Learning, Education and Development division in partnership with the University of Chester.
It leads to registration as a nurse and is completed entirely on-island.
Fourteen students will specialise in nursing adults and six in mental health.
Based at Keyll Darree Education Centre, with the facilities of Noble’s Hospital and mental health services on the doorstep, students divide their time between lectures and hands-on practice.
People from all walks of life and backgrounds are encouraged to apply, whether finishing A-levels, changing career or returning to work after a break.
Mark Haith, a programme leader, said: ‘We are looking for candidates with the right attitude and approach – the ability to build relationships, the resilience necessary to cope with the demands of the role and openness to change.
‘For us, a background in healthcare is only relevant if it’s held by a person who has the ability to progress through the experiences and study required by the course. We are looking for students we can help develop over three years.
‘People from different backgrounds have experience and skills that make them excellent candidates for nursing.’
Mark said: ‘There is a huge range of jobs available locally in hospital and community settings for nursing graduates.’
Mark outlined the benefits of studying for a nursing degree locally.
‘The student/staff ratio allows staff to work closely with students to provide the level of academic support needed for this demanding but fulfilling career,’ he said.
‘Our Bachelor of Nursing students achieve grades that are significantly higher than in the UK. Our most recent undergraduates all achieved upper second class or first class honours.’
Mark added: ‘Students are eligible for an annual £5,000 bursary.
‘For career development, we offer the opportunity of postgraduate study leading to a Master’s degree in professional practice and attainment is equally impressive at this level.’
Applications should be made via www.gov.im/nursetraining by January 29.
Interviews will be held in March.
For more information about the course, visit www.gov.im/nursetraining or contact senior lecturers Catherine Black Catherine.black@gov.im (adult nursing) or Mark Haith mark.haith@gov.im (mental health nursing).
Applicants need 280 UCAS points – or equivalents as outlined on the University of Chester’s website via www.chester.ac.uk/undergraduate/nursing
They must also possess GCSE grade C or above in maths and English.
Return to Nursing Practice programmes are available for those who have taken career breaks.
Contact Bernadette Devlin, senior lecturer, on 642927 or via Bernadette.Devlin@gov.im
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CASE STUDY
Peel woman Julia Furner was determined to get her dream job as a mental health nurse following the birth of her daughter.
Having previously worked for four years in banking she realised she wanted full-time employment that gave her satisfaction in helping others.
She’d also spent two years with Autism Initiatives, supporting young people with autism in residential care.
Julia explained: ‘A huge part of my life outside of employment was participating in voluntary/charity work.
‘I thoroughly enjoyed it, so much so, that it became a hobby. I came to realise that I wanted full-time employment that gave me satisfaction in helping others.’
After the birth of her daughter she became determined to get the ‘dream job’ that she wanted.
‘I wanted to set an example, be a role model to my daughter and more importantly prove to myself that I could do a degree and become a professional.
‘Previously, I had doubts in my academic ability but I have proven that with determination and effort I am academic.
‘I have always been goal orientated, but this was the first academic challenge I had set myself.
Julia saw an advert for mental health nursing in the island and thought it was perfect for her.
‘Firstly, I could study on the island and be with my family and secondly, I have an interest in mental illness and empathy for those affected by mental ill health, including the impact it can have on family/carers.
‘This has developed through personal experience of witnessing loved ones experience mental ill health.’
She didn’t have sufficient UCAS points to apply for the course so she went back to college and studied A-level psychology part-time, studying most evenings for two years.
Julia, now a second year student, described the training as time consuming and requiring hard work, dedication and good time management.
‘However, because Mental Health Nursing interests me, studying is not a chore,’ she said.
So far she has experienced five different mental health services, and has found that the Children and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) and Adult Community Mental Health Team (CMHT) have interested her the most.
‘However, I am flexible to the idea that this may change as I experience other placements and develop my learning,’ she said.
‘My rationale for favouring CAMHS is because I value early intervention because I believe it is a preventative measure for future mental illness and can improve quality of life from a young age.
‘My rationale for enjoying CMHT is that I value the prospect of patients being able to seek help from home.
‘I want to support people as much as possible to stay at home.
‘I have witnessed patients becoming institutionalised in an inpatient setting and would like to play a part in preventing patients from becoming institutionalised.
She said a highlight of the course was the support available from Keyll Darree: ‘Adult learning is a requirement of the course, yet, help can be accessed via study skills and lecturers are very quick at getting back in touch in response to queries and concerns.
‘I also appreciate the way in which I am educated, in that the course is 50 per cent theory and 50 per cent practice.
‘I can learn the theory in a safe environment of the classroom and consolidate my learning by implementing skills learnt in practice.’
She said she also enjoyed the social aspect of the course, saying: ‘I have made friends and we are very supportive of each other.’
Meanwhile, she said the biggest challenge was fitting in the workload of meeting assignment deadlines around the busy timetable of classes and practice.
She gave the following advice to people wanting to become a nurse: ‘If you have not yet got the required qualifications for the course, go back to college to obtain them and worry less about gaining experience because experience is not essential whilst the qualifications are.
If you have already got the qualifications then gain as much experience as you can between now and applying – for example, voluntary work.
You will also benefit by contacting Keyll Darree directly asking for information.
I received information on the phone, leaflets to read at home and I also had an informal meeting with the course leader and attended the open day.
‘I think it maximises your chances of getting on the course if they know you are keen prior to the interview process.’
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CASE STUDY
Helen Holder graduated in October 2015 with a first class honours degree and now works as a registered mental health nurse in the community team
Helen, who is 33 and lives in Rushen, said she loves her role as a community nurse.
‘I feel it is a privilege to work with service users in the community, and for them to share their story with me,’ she said.
‘I believe everyone should have hope.
‘Within mental health nursing, my guiding principle is the belief that it is possible for everyone to live a meaningful life.’
Helen, aged 33, who is divorced and has an eight-year-old daughter, Ffion, was previously the manager of Douglas Oxfam shop.
She then spent time at home with Ffion for her first few years and then when Ffion started pre-school she returned to work in a chemist, and then applied for the nursing course in 2012.
‘I approached the course with an open mind, with the basic expectation that I would learn the role of a mental health nurse, and learn skills to be a successful mental health nurse,’ she said.
‘I found the training to be varied and really interesting, and I always appreciated the place I had on the course.’
Helen said there had been many highlights of the training: ‘Realising the importance of self – how my own values, morals and personality can guide my nursing practice.
‘Also, being on practice placements in a variety of settings over the three years and applying theory that was learnt in seminars/lectures to practice.’
She added: ‘There have been challenges, too, but none insurmountable! My biggest challenge was having the self-belief that I could to it.’
Helen advised anyone thinking of applying to research both nursing and the Bachelor of Nursing course ‘as you have to know that you really want to do it and to be committed to it, as it will challenge you…but so worth it!’
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CASE STUDY
Jonathan Pugh applied for nursing training after seeing first-hand the work of Hospice nurses and palliative care.
His mum, who is a nurse, was behind the career change – at the time he was working in the payment services industry!
Jonathan, aged 39, who is married and lives in Peel, said: ‘My mum is a nurse but when I left school I did not have a clue what I really wanted to do, my dad is an engineer so I went down that route.
‘Due to a family bereavement I saw the work that Hospice nurses and palliative care did and after speaking to my mum I applied.
Jonathan, who will start his third year in September, wants to specialise either in theatre or surgery wards.
He said the training he had received had been ‘brilliant’, adding: ‘The support of the lecturers and nursing staff has been very good.
‘As I am a little older my beliefs and my views of nursing care have been challenged in a positive way.’
He said that for him, a highlight had been finding that female patients have trusted him and allowed him to help and be involved in their care.
On the other hand he said a challenge had been a ‘change in my marriage with regards to finances!’
Jonathan encouraged people thinking about applying to take the plunge: ‘Basically, do it!
‘I have never been so fulfilled after finishing a shift than when I have helped a patient.
‘No matter how small a difference you may think you have made, for that patient it could make the world of difference. Be prepared to change and be challenged though.’
Source: IOM Today
