Back to uni for another BSc?

[ButterflyWrists]

So...

I am debating going back to university, not for a masters, but for another undergraduate degree... In mental health nursing... I have my psychology degree, but did not pass with a grade which looks good when applying for jobs, so I have very limited options right now.

The mental health nursing I plan to do at the university I got my psychology degree, so I would know the area and have ready made friends there (although many of them will have moved on by the time I get back there)..

I also know a lot of the information I would need, I have knowledge in medications and took the mental health module for my psychology degree. This stands me in good stead for moving forwards with this next step. I also know I can work to a higher academic level and as I already have much of the knowledge, I will find it easier to apply that knowledge.

 

But.. do I go for it? A further 3 years of university, unable to work due to ongoing health issues, and potentially a long commute if I am unable to live in the city? Summer months wouldn't be too bad with the motorbike, the winter will suck.

 

Pro's:

The idea makes me happy

I have prior, current knowledge

I can do the work

It gets me hands on experience

I will be required to work within a clinical setting

I will work with a variety of age groups - in a variety of settings

 

Cons:

A further 3 years undergraduate study related to something I already have a degree in

Potential commuting

Health issues, unlikely to go, can I learn to cope in just a year?

Being much older than the majority of my classmates? I was already older than many when I started my first degree at 20, I'll be 24 by the time I start nursing

Confidence?

 

 

I don't know.. My mum thinks its a brilliant idea - as this is the first thing since finishing uni I've really been passionate about, thats got me up and moving. I admit I have fallen into a funk the last month or so.

I think its a great idea, but my second guessing and thoughts are all over the place. Do I really want to put myself through all this again? Can I cope? My degree was hard enough, but a lot of that was down to my 'friends' in first and second year. Final year was better. And again my health issues.

 

Another pro - I will be nearer to the hospital that has most recently been treating me for my on going health issues.

 

Arghh! someone? help?

[DanDee]

As you already have a degree, you could study a 2 year diploma/masters in mental health nursing. That's exactly what I'm planning to do next September - and my first degree is in philosophy!

 

But honestly, I think it's a brilliant idea. The money is really good, and you could easily carve out a career related to therapy (art therapist, CBT, psychotherapist).

[emma34]

I also have a BA in Psychology...I feel your pain.

 

I was going to say no...don't waste your time and money on more education....

 

However nursing at least is a career. So if you want to be a nurse, go for it. But if I were you...I'd get a BSN...don't specialize too early because a) you might hate mental health after a few years, and b) you want to be hireable. Remember why you are doing this...to get a good job, right? Do whatever you need to do to get a good job...even if it means more years of education....

[ButterflyWrists]

As you already have a degree, you could study a 2 year diploma/masters in mental health nursing. That's exactly what I'm planning to do next September - and my first degree is in philosophy!

 

But honestly, I think it's a brilliant idea. The money is really good, and you could easily carve out a career related to therapy (art therapist, CBT, psychotherapist).

Hmm, I've not seen any masters in it I will look into this before going through UCAS again.. Detest ucas lol! It's a daunting prospect, but I am hoping it will be worth it. I want to be a sleep specialist - so nursing isn't a tight fit, but with my psychology degree it'll give me a boost, then I can get to a better uni to do neuropsychology. I will also have gained experience. But it is scary!

I also have a BA in Psychology...I feel your pain.

 

I was going to say no...don't waste your time and money on more education....

 

However nursing at least is a career. So if you want to be a nurse, go for it. But if I were you...I'd get a BSN...don't specialize too early because a) you might hate mental health after a few years, and b) you want to be hireable. Remember why you are doing this...to get a good job, right? Do whatever you need to do to get a good job...even if it means more years of education....

 

I need to further my education, at the moment I am stuck signing on, with only dead end job prospects due to the result I've left university with sadly.

I want to be a sleep specialist, and many sleep disorders (insomnia/nightmares and night terrors) are related to mental health, so mental health nursing is the best route to take out of all the nursing options. I've not yet hated mental health, it is such a wide topic and always new things to learn (ignoring the DSM! haha).

[DanDee]

Butterfly - yes, it's a speeded up two year diploma because you already have a degree. There are only about a dozen universities that do it (and you need to go through UCAS, sadly) but it's certainly an option.

[chitown9]

It is never to late to pursue further education. I went back to college to obtain a certificate in substance abuse at the age of 61. I did not feel out of place in class. I was older than some of my professors. It was a wonderful experience! Oh! I did obtain the certificate in substance abuse, btw. Also, I met many people that became my friends. Go for it.

[Snny]

The only time I will say to go for another Bachelors is if you are studying a completely different field than what you originally majored. A BA in psychology will get you nowhere; you need a masters degree to be considered qualified. A masters in mental health will complement that psych Bachelors and probably open more doors.

[ButterflyWrists]

The problem is my BSc psychology left me unable to do a masters because I didn't get a 2.1, only about 2% off, but that means nothing. So the only masters in psychology course I can do, would not be accredited by the BPS, thus I wouldn't be qualified anyway.

[blueidealist24]

I wouldn't go back and get another Bachelor's instantly, to be honest. If you can't find any paying work at all related to your field, I'd try to get unpaid work, or look for a job outside your field. Then when you have some experience, consider going back. Since it's only September and I think you graduated in May, I don't think you've been out looking for work long enough to be making this decision yet. At least if you're doing unpaid work you're not paying thousands more dollars worth of tuition.

[mesmerized]

I'm 29 and I'm thinking of going back to school... I totally understand your doubts...

[greywolf]

What exactly is mental health nursing to you? Over here you would take regular nursing courses and get your RN and then just specialize once you graduated. That would mean that you would have to start everything over again and study a lot of stuff that you aren't interested in!

[ButterflyWrists]

I wouldn't go back and get another Bachelor's instantly, to be honest. If you can't find any paying work at all related to your field, I'd try to get unpaid work, or look for a job outside your field. Then when you have some experience, consider going back. Since it's only September and I think you graduated in May, I don't think you've been out looking for work long enough to be making this decision yet. At least if you're doing unpaid work you're not paying thousands more dollars worth of tuition.

 

I wont be able to get any work in my field other than voluntary, which I am looking for, but its difficult, I have limited transport (motorbike which I cant ride in rainy weather as the roads where I live flood really fast - very unsafe on the bike) and no busses, ok so the same thing for paid work, but if I was getting paid work I would be able to give petrol money to my mum/brother/whoever to give me a lift places. Nursing is paid for by the NHS so I wont have any tuition fee's. Still not sure what to do. Got interview for an apprenticeship - which I am overqualified for, today but hey ho.. Its in child care - which I am not interested in really, but if I can work specifically with children who have deveopmental problems it might be sufferable.

 

I'm 29 and I'm thinking of going back to school... I totally understand your doubts...

It's frustrating isn't it, wondering if its the right thing to do.

What exactly is mental health nursing to you? Over here you would take regular nursing courses and get your RN and then just specialize once you graduated. That would mean that you would have to start everything over again and study a lot of stuff that you aren't interested in!

 

Oh we have courses specifically for mental health - its specialised from the get-go, I think you do have to do some regular nursing too, but not much. I am looking into post grad versions of that also. Gotta do something to stop me going stir crazy!

[blueidealist24]

Did I read that right, that your tuition fees would be all paid for if you went to nursing? If that's the case, I would go. I would just stink if you had to start paying tuition all over again right after finishing the first bachelor's degree.

[ButterflyWrists]

Yeah tuition is paid for for any NHS courses (national health service)

[blueidealist24]

Yeah tuition is paid for for any NHS courses (national health service)

 

Wow, awesome. I would totally go for it then.