if you don't get in this time?

[maverick125]

going to avoid a sentimental response, because of course i feel really sorry for you; but you've got to get over the obsession. i applied this year and am waiting for responses; but i have said to myself that i will apply for nursing next year as well as medicine and be prepared to follow that route. i am keen to avoid the desperate, all or nothing focus on medicine; there are so many opportunities in nursing now; think, you could be a qualified nurse by now if you had taken that route. useless line of thought i know, but i just don't agree with people applying 3-4 years in a row. take it as a sign that that particular door is looked but that there might be another way in.

[dotvicky]

Hmm - maverick125, I *do* get what you're saying, if I don't get in this year (2nd attempt), I will be including midwifery and radiography on next year's application as well *but* to think that nursing is very similar to medicine is rather naive, isn't it? And to tell someone to quit while their behind...?

If the system weren't such pot luck, there'd be a strong argument that says to only try a few times and then realise that it ain't gonna happen. *But* I've seen so many cases of people not making it to med school who completely deserve to be there and more than one example of someone who finally made it after years of trying, I think you need to let people do it their own way.

And after all, I think you've got to be pretty darn obsessive to make it on to a course in the first place and then to do the best job you can be. Some people I'm sure do get lucky, I feel I've already worked pretty darn hard though and I'm not even close to a place at med school yet.

Cheers
Vicky

[fortysixandtwo]

In response to the financial disadvantage of the 5 year vs. the GEP route - are Professional Loans out of the question for most people here?

I speaking of, for example, the NatWest Trainee Loan Scheme where we could potentially borrow up to £20,000.

Is it a case of people not wanting to burden themselves with more dept? I know, personally, that this is the route I'm going to have to take but I'm seeing it as an investment in myself.

So, yeah, I'm just curious if this isn't an option for the GEP only applicants.

[maverick125]

i would say that nursing is as close to medicine as any other career; that is, if you can't get into medicine, nursing seems like a good fall-back. and a fall-back that would be hugely beneficial to an application down the line for some candidates. i just wonder why it is that some people, not necessarily aiming this at anyone, talk with some single mindedness about medicine, as if it is the only option, when nursing offers so many interesting options.

"May look into continuing Mandarin Chinese at degree level with International Development or even law if I have to."

i mean, to give up medical school applications to become a lawyer? why not nursing? seriously? i can't understand: "i am desperately keen to be a doctor but for the time being that is denied. therefore i shall become a lawyer". i have been a lawyer and an HCA and i can tell which i think is more closely related to medicine.

[KL29]

Maybe I'm a bit bored to even be writing this but I found this particular thread fascinating.

The chap above who can't possibly understand how nursing isn't seen as the perfect fall-back for those who can't get into medical school...

Medicine is a career based on independence - thought, practice and responsibility - law too - they are professions! Nursing is none of those things - it is protocol driven and will always be a job where one makes very few real decisions despite all of the aggrandising of the NMC to try to downgrade the position and role of the doctor.

Nursing is anathema to medicine and the type of people who will make great doctors will simply never fit into being a great nurse...Believe me, my job would be impossible without nurses, and much less entertaining but I am not a nurse. Doctors diagnose and nurses heal - we are worlds apart.

Sorry to rant but I thought the poster above was missing a very important point.

(Off-topic...my apologies...but important nonetheless)

CT1 Medicine - London

[maverick125]

cheers KL29 for the clarification. I had indeed been labouring under the misillusion that the only difference between nursing and medicine was that doctors got to wear mufty to work. so, you say doctors get to take decisions and nurses implement them?

and cheers for the comments re law. after 3 years of working as a lawyer, i must have missed some crucial points. fortunately, you have set me straight there as well. you're proving to be rather useful!

no doubt you will be able to correct my understanding of the word anathema as well. i had always thought it meant something/someone detested, with a subtle divine meaning.

[McWiseguy]

Hello maverick125. I understand what you are saying. Law was just a thought that popped into my head a couple of weeks ago. However, I don't feel that Nursing is suited to me having worked as a HCA alongside Nurses. Nursing requires a different skill set and set of responsibilities, less problem solving and decision-making.

Hi Vicky. Yeh, my ukcat wasn't good enough for Barts. Cardiff said my academic score wasn't high enough to be passed on to non-academic scoring (3 A*s, 3 As and 3 Bs for GCSE, ABB A-levels and a 2.1 in Biomed). I have also had an offer before from Manchester at A-level. But I got ABB so they wouldn't take me. It's really frustrating because I have had to go through so much (personal stuff including sitting some of my AS-levels in hospital as an inpatient). I have tried everything with applications, paying apply2medicine.co.uk to check my statement, showing it to doctors and have a broad experience (Nursing Home, shadowing on gastro and cardio, volunteering with autistic adults, PALS and HCA work, not to mention teaching English and raising HIV/AIDS awareness in Zanzibar, Tanzania for 2 and a half months). But, it's obviously not enough for some people! Oh well, it's out of my hands (and probably in God's). I'm researching other opportunities. I just hope whatever I do has an impact on people short-term (eg. medical) or long-term (eg. development) and myself and others realise how hard I have worked to achieve whatever I may become and appreciate the work I do. Money is not a factor, just the quality and impact of the work!

[EvaA]

and have a broad experience (Nursing Home, shadowing on gastro and cardio, volunteering with autistic adults, PALS and HCA work, not to mention teaching English and raising HIV/AIDS awareness in Zanzibar, Tanzania for 2 and a half months). But, it's obviously not enough for some people! Oh well, it's out of my hands (and probably in God's). I'm researching other opportunities. I just hope whatever I do has an impact on people short-term (eg. medical) or long-term (eg. development) and myself and others realise how hard I have worked to achieve whatever I may become and appreciate the work I do. Money is not a factor, just the quality and impact of the work!

to be honest I realy dont understand why u didnt even get an interview!! with such a great work experience

[mimx]

This was my second time applying. My first time was in my last year of uni but failed, I just rejected for second time after being rejected after interview @ UEA. The interview went well I got lost positive feedback but I guess this was not enough. I am also going 3 times and if I don't get in I will quit but really really I am passionate about medicine.

[mimx]

my work is also pretty broad ..work medical ethics no-profit fighting HMo's, raised breast cancer awareness, work at eco friendly organization, ward clerk /HCA.. taught english in madrid, spain currently for a neonatal transfer service as an admin assitant & cot locator.McWiseguy youre experience is pretty amazing..