Work experience requirements for Nursing, Medical, Social Work and Veterinary Science Courses

1. Work experience requirements for Nursing, Medical, Social Work and Veterinary Science Courses

2. Contents: • Nursing, Midwifery & Social Work Courses – presented by Vanessa Chetwyn: De Montfort University • Veterinary Science Courses – presented by Richard Stringer: University of Nottingham • Medicine Courses – presented by Dr Margaret Barnes-Davies: University of Leicester

3. Work experience requirements for Nursing and Midwifery

4. Nursing and Midwifery • Two very popular course areas both here at DMU and nationally across the UK. • 134,267 applications were made in 2012 for just 25,000 places. * • Increased competition results in a greater emphasis being placed on the students application. • Admissions tutors are looking for more than just good grades. • Applicants need to demonstrate they have the right skills and attributes to succeed on the course and in the career itself. • * Source = UCAS Data Resources 2012

5. Current entry requirements for Nursing and Midwifery are usually set at: • 5 to 6 GCSE’s Grade C and above (inc English and Math) • Between 240 and 320 UCAS points • Universities prefer applicants with a science subject but it’s not always a requirement. • Complete an occupational health check • Pass a DBS disclosure check • Successfully pass an interview • Work experience is currently not a compulsory requirement

6. However..... • Work experience is extremely important if students want to demonstrate that they – • a) understand what a career in nursing and midwifery involves. • b) Have the confidence and experience of caring for people. • c) Have used and developed keys transferable skills such as team work, organisational and time management, communication skills etc. • d) Can display empathy, sensitivity, flexibility and emotional resilience.

7. Work experience is also beneficial because..... • It’s a great way of seeing what it’s like working in the health service. • It can help students definitely decide what kind of health care career they want. • It shows commitment to their future career in the NHS • Most importantly your chances of being accepted on to a nursing and midwifery programme are significantly increased if you can demonstrate relevant work experience.

8. Where to find work experience..... • Work experience can be paid or voluntary • Course placements will be taken into consideration but not as stand alone evidence. • The longer the experience the better, and the broader the set of experiences the better. • Personal experiences such as caring for a relative should be spoken about but not used exclusively as evidence. • Experience can be from a multitude of settings not necessarily just from within the NHS

9. Where to find work experience..... • In a hospital or clinical setting • The NHS is made up of 400 individual NHS trusts each responsible for arranging work experience. • Students/teachers can contact their local NHS trust and enquire about available work experience placements. • You can find your local NHS trust by visiting NHS Choices or Step into NHS websites.

10. In a hospital or clinical setting • Students need to submit an application form detailing why they want to do the placement and how they feel they will benefit from the experience. • Competition for places is high • Limited number of opportunities available • Might not always be possible to gain an experience in your first choice career but any experience in a healthcare setting will be beneficial. • Students should apply as early as possible to secure the best chance of being accepted. 3 options available working with University Hospitals Leicester.

11. Work experience outside of hospitals and clinical settings.... • Students can also gain healthcare experience in a variety of non-clinical settings. • Residential care homes • Charity organisations such as Mind, Shelter, Age Concern, Rainbows, LOROS • Shadowing of NHS staff in the community – school nurse, health visitors etc • Patient visiting and befriending volunteering • Community groups – SureStart, breastfeeding groups, etc • Interviewing NHS staff – local GP, community nurse/midwife, • Other sources of experience.... • Any volunteering experience: demonstrates selflessness and commitment • Duke of Edinburgh Award: Showcases key skills such as leadership and team work • Part time jobs: Demonstrates time management, responsibility and working with the public • Caring for relatives: Showcases care and compassion • Gap years abroad: gain an international perspective of healthcare.

12. Writing about their experience.... • Whatever the type of experience(s) the student has, writing about them effectively is really important. • Wherever possible students should talk not just about what they did as part of the placement but what they learnt from it. • Talking about transferable skills is key to demonstrating your suitability to the career. • Link it in to the 6 C’s of Nursing & Midwifery • Care • Communication • Compassion • Courage • Competency • Commitment

13. Work experience requirements for Social Work

14. Social Work • Social Work is in the top 10 most popular courses • DMU received over 600 applications in 2013 for 50 places • Social Work is a professional course which upon competition students can register as a Social Worker and begin to practise.

15. Entry Requirements • Current entry requirements for Social Work • 5 to 6 GCSE’s Grade C and above (inc English and Math) • Between 240 and 320 UCAS points • Pass a DBS disclosure check • Successfully pass an interview • Work experience can be a compulsory requirement for some Social Work degrees. • Individual universities set their own conditions for the amount of work experience needed. Students should research entry requirements before applying.

16. Work Experience Requirements: • Universities usually ask for anywhere between 6 weeks to 6 months of work experience. • This usually has to be work that directly involves interacting with service users. • Placements done as part of a school/college course aren’t always accepted. • Personal experience of social services may be classed as relevant experience and should be spoken about on the application

17. Where can you get work experience? • Think about who are service users..... • Adults 18+ • Children and families • Specific users.... • The elderly • Young offenders • Addicts • Patients with mental health problems • Homeless people • Children in care etc • Students can contact charities, community groups, volunteering centres, NHS departments, Local Authorities etc

18. Work Experience... • Admissions tutors are looking for students who are emotionally resilient and prepared for the career ahead. • They will assess what skills you possess to help you become a safe, confident and competent Social Worker. • Students should consider the Framework of Capabilities for Social Workers when talking about work experience. • Professionalism • Values & Ethics • Diversity • Rights, Justice and Economic Wellbeing • Knowledge • Critical reflection and analysis • Intervention and Skills • Leaderships

19. Useful Websites NHS Choices - www.nhs.uk Step in to the NHS - www.stepintothenhs.nhs.uk Nursing & Midwifery Council – www.nmc-uk.org Health & Care Professions Council – www.hpc-uk.org De Montfort University – www.dmu.ac.uk

20. Work experience requirements for Veterinary Medicine

21. Veterinary Medicine at Nottingham • Minimum six weeks of work experience but the more the better! • Recommended: Small and large animal vets • Recommended: At least one week in a dairy farm, one week lambing and one week in a stables • Six weeks of one type of experience is not enough • Get references from all work experiences

22. Why work experience? • Not a tick box exercise – work experience really matters! • To gain insight into what it’s really like to be a vet • To understand different environments and different animal types • Ensure it’s the right career path for you! • Shows you are proactive and enthusiastic

23. Work experience requirements at seven UK vet schools

24. What counts as work experience • Work experience in abattoirs –some universities require this others don’t • Lab based experience – counts if linked to veterinary medicine but not essential • Animal charities – yes but looking for practical animal handling experience • Office based experience in a related field – good but doesn’t count! • Work experience abroad – good but the course qualifies you to be a vet in the UK so the majority should be UK based

25. Talking about work experience • Universities are looking for academic ability AND personal attributes • Develop understanding of a vet’s role in the UK • Awareness of vets’ place in the wider context e.g. in world issues like the BSE crisis and public health • Was anything surprising? What did you learn?

26. Personal statements • Keep a reflective diary of your work experience • Your chance to stand out from the crowd • Voice your own opinions – you can be critical of your experience! • How has work experience inspired you? What have you learnt about yourself?

27. Scenarios

28. A student who grew up on a farm – do they still need formal work experience? • Yes! • To get onto the course you need work experience in a variety of settings • They can count work experience on another farm – all farms work differently • The course focuses on different types of animals • Check other universities’ policies!

29. A student with their own horse • This can count as animal handling experience (good!) but not as work experience A student with specific interests • Having lots of work experience in one area, e.g. exotic animals, is great if that’s their main interest – shows motivation and enthusiasm • However, the course covers various areas • They may change their mind!

30. Barriers to work experience • Age – some places, like abattoirs, can be difficult to get into when you’re under 18 • Living inner city can make it hard to get into rural settings • No ready made contacts

31. How to get work experience • We are looking for determination and motivation! • Cold-calling • Going in person • Friends and family contacts • The Student Room forum • Advice from current or previous Vet Med students

32. If a student can’t get sufficient work experience • We will take into consideration any difficulties you have experienced – send information in writing to the vet school • Try your best - even if it’s just shadowing or talking informally to a vet • Be creative and think outside the box – show you have done your absolute best to get animal related experience

33. Other animal related courses e.g. Animal Science and Zoology • Work experience is good but not essential • Can be in a variety of settings e.g. veterinary practice, zoos, farms • Admissions tutors are looking for genuine interest in animals and their biology rather than hands on experience or commitment to a specific career • Use work experience as a way to stand out from the crowd

34. Summary • Work experience is vitally important • Good work experience gives insight into the profession in a variety of settings • Importance of reflecting on students’ experience • Vet schools will look at references written after students’ work experience • Start early!

35. Useful resources • http://www.nottingham.ac.uk/vet/ • http://www.rcvs.org.uk/education/ Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons • http://www.workshop-uk.net/vetsim Vetsim course • http://www.bva.co.uk/ British Veterinary Association • Vet Records magazine and Farmers’ Weekly to keep up to date on current issues!