Melanie, Paediatric Nursing Access Course

Melanie is in her mid-thirties and the mother of five children. She left school early with no qualifications and became a depressed ‘stay-at-home’ mum, with no future plans and she thought that things would never change.

After her son was born with Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Autism tendencies, specialists suggested the Webster Stratton parenting course which teaches techniques to reward and praise children. Inevitably, there is a lot of praise for parents too and, after a meeting with a nextstep adviser; Melanie began to think that she could fulfil a long-held ambition to become a midwife.

Melanie moved to Boscombe and gained Level 2 literacy and numeracy qualifications and took a volunteers course. She promoted the Webster Stratton course and helped in a pre-school and at a local children’s centre.

Her experience with children turned her ideas towards paediatric nursing. Melanie contacted Bournemouth and Poole College to enquire and received plenty of advice, gaining a place on an Access course. Melanie is now waiting to see if she has a place at Bournemouth University to take a nursing degree.

Melanie describes her journey towards this point as a struggle, involving a lot of sacrifices. She says she would not have been able to do it without the support of the advice team at the college. She spent many hours gaining advice, mainly over the telephone, and was able to overcome numerous barriers, receiving assistance towards the costs of the course, childcare and books. She was also advised about time management, finding help to draft a new routine, which was easier to draw up than implement, but which has been very successful.

Family routines have changed and adaptations have been made. Accustomed to fresh meals each day, her family now have pre-prepared meals and Melanie shops online and shares out household tasks to save time. After some discontent at first, Melanie’s family have been very supportive.

Melanie has received encouragement and support from a number of sources, but the one which has had the most impact is the advice she received from Bournemouth and Poole College, which has helped her to overcome her barriers and succeed.

The impact of the return to learning has been far reaching. Melanie now believes that she can do whatever she sets her mind to and has more confidence. Her children have taken inspiration from her, now planning to go to college and work hard so they don’t have to struggle later in life, as Melanie has done. Also, with her new profession, her family can fulfil their dreams of moving to Canada and starting a new life there.

Melanie’s message to other people is ‘believe in yourself and be determined. It is very hard and there are sacrifices to be made, but it is worth it in the end as it can change your life’.