Train to be a nurse at West Suffolk Hospital

17 November 2003

West Suffolk Hospitals NHS Trust is appealing for people who want to train as a nurse to apply for nursing degree courses in Bury St Edmunds.

For someone thinking about training to be a nurse, there is no better time than the present. Based at West Suffolk Hospital and supported academically by Suffolk College in Ipswich, trainees benefit from the pleasant, modern facilities of the new education centre, small tutorial groups and the friendly atmosphere of the hospital in general. The modern curriculum incorporates both acute and community care. Trainees are allocated to a local health centre, part of Suffolk West Primary Care Trust, for community placements.

There are two intakes each year. The January intake serves both adult and mental health branches of nursing, while the September intake includes adult, learning disability and children’s nursing.

Nursing is a developing profession and the role and contribution of nurses to the health care of the community is continually being enhanced. Entry requirement is a minimum of 5 GCSEs at C grade or above, or an NVQ level 3 or an Advanced GNVQ in Health or Social Care. Students must be 18 years or older at the commencement day of the course.

“The course offers a good deal of flexibility, and many of our students are mature with young children,” said Karen Miles, clinical practice facilitator. “Nursing offers a truly exciting and interesting career - every day is different with new challenges and rewards.”

After qualifying and gaining professional registration there are opportunities for a specialist focus, research, management and leadership at local, regional and national levels. Salaries range from £15-£60,000 with most nurses earning around £20-£25,000 4 to 5 years after qualifying. During training a bursary of £5562 each year is awarded for students without dependants. For students over 26 years the minimum bursary is £6000, with an additional £1800 each year awarded for a dependant. A means tested bursary can provide up to around £8000 each year.  

For more information about nurse training courses, contact the Nursing and Midwifery Admissions Service on 01242 223707.  For local enquiries telephone Suffolk College student advisory service on 01473 296606 or Karen Miles at the West Suffolk Hospital on 01284 712750.