Entry requirements

Personal qualities

If you enjoy working with people and would like to make a difference to their lives nursing has a lot to offer you. You need to be non-judgmental and a good communicator, with the ability to listen, empathise and provide support. Nursing attracts all kinds of personalities from all sorts of backgrounds. Whether you're an extravert or introvert you'll find an area of nursing that helps you to fulfil your potential.

Age

By law you must be aged 17 and a half (17 in Scotland) at the start of the course.

Health

You have to complete a health questionnaire when you apply for nurse or midwifery training and will be asked to identify any special needs related to a disability. Your acceptance on a course will be subject to satisfactory health clearance. If you have a disability, you may find it useful to contact SKILL (The National Bureau for Students with Disabilities), on telephone number 0800 328 5050, or visit their website at www.skill.org.uk

Past convictions

If you have any past convictions, you will need to declare this on the application form. The university will also ask you to sign a form allowing them to check whether you have a police record. You will not automatically be barred from entering the nursing or midwifery profession if you have a criminal conviction or caution. The university will take into account the circumstances surrounding the case and should treat any information in the strictest of confidence.

Qualifications

The minimum entry requirements are given below, but note that many universities will require you to hold more than the minimum, including A' levels:

  • 5GCSE/GCE O levels, grade C or above (including English and a Science/Maths subject for entry to Midwifery); or
  • 5 CSEs Grade 1; or
  • 5 SCEs grade 1 (Scotland); or
  • 5 SCE ordinary, grades A-C (Scotland); or
  • GNVQ Intermediate level plus one GCSE/GCE O level, grades A-C; or
  • GNVQ Advanced Level or NVQ level 3; or
  • SVQ level 3; GSVQ level 3 (Scotland); or
  • SVQ level 2 (Scotland) if the programme began after Sepetember 2000
  • A Kitemarked Access to Higher Education course; or
  • EDEXEL Foundation (BTEC) National or Higher National Diploma; or
  • Passes in the Northern Ireland Grammar School Senior Certificate of Education;
  • A qualification awarded by the NNEB dating from 1985, including the Diploma in Post-Qualifying Studies

Further details are available from NHS Careers (England) or the organisations in Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales listed (see Application Process ).

Nursing cadets

If you do not hold any of the above qualifications you can apply for a new initiative called the nursing cadet scheme. Run by various NHS trusts in England, this scheme enables you to undertake an initial training programme, successful completion of which gives you an NVQ level three or Access to nursing qualification. You are then seconded to a nearby university to take a nursing diploma course, leading to registration as a nurse. Further details are available from NHS Careers.