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• Contents at a Glance
• Table of Contents
• Introduction
• About This Book
• Conventions Used in This Book
• What You’re Not to Read
• Foolish Assumptions
• How This Book Is Organised
• Icons Used in This Book
• Where to Go from Here
• Part I: Getting Started with a Career in Nursing
• Chapter 1: Getting to Know Nursing
• Defining the Nursing Profession
• Understanding the Role of the Nursing and Midwifery Council
• Outlining the Role of the Nurse
• Examining Who Goes into Nursing
• Seeing Where Nurses Work
• Training to Become a Nurse
• Chapter 2: Exploring Your Options: Nursing Fields
• Looking at the Nursing Field Ratios
• Adult Nursing
• Children’s Nursing
• Mental Health Nursing
• Learning Disabilities Nursing
• Separating Nursing Fields from Other Professions
• Part II: Focusing on Your Personal Development
• Chapter 3: Weighing Academic Qualifications
• Charting Your Academic Path
• Why Currency Counts: Assessing Your Study Skills
• Back to Basics: GCSEs
• Getting the Points
• Aiming for A-levels (Advanced General Certificate of Education)
• Getting Down to Business with BTECs
• Scottish Qualifications
• Talking About Access
• Certificates, Foundation and University Degrees
• Tasting the Fruit of Experience: APEL
• Using Foreign Qualifications
• Chapter 4: Professional Requirements: How Do You Rate?
• Reviewing Your Fitness to Practise
• Monitoring Your Professional Behaviour
• ’Ello, ’Ello: Examining Your Criminal Record
• Taking Health and Wellbeing into Consideration
• Dealing with Disability
• Chapter 5: Proving Your People Skills
• Understanding Nursing Behaviours and Values
• Considering Caring Characteristics
• Showing Compassion
• Proving Your Commitment
• Communicating Effectively
• Chapter 6: Gaining Care Experience
• Understanding the Role of Care Experience
• Putting a Plan Together
• Working within the NHS
• Volunteering for a Charity
• Building Personal Experiences
• Part III: Preparing to Apply
• Chapter 7: Understanding the Nursing Programme
• Overviewing the Programme
• Focusing on Academic Study
• Getting to Grips with Clinical Study
• Understanding the Roles of Staff Members
• Chapter 8: Exploring Universities
• Probing Programme Particulars
• Looking at Location
• Considering Bed and Board
• Exploring Extra-Curricular Activities
• Perusing Student Information Websites
• Considering the Competition
• Chapter 9: Making the Most of Open Days and Visits
• Planning Prior to Your Visit
• On the Day: Meeting Staff and Students
• Evaluating the University
• Taking Advantage of Other Visits and Tours
• Chapter 10: Money Matters
• Tallying the Costs of Your Education
• Getting Financial Support
• Part IV: Perfecting Your Application
• Chapter 11: Following the UCAS Process
• Understanding UCAS
• Mapping Out the Application Process
• Managing Rejections
• Receiving Offers
• Chapter 12: Writing Your Personal Statement
• Understanding the Rules
• Looking at What You Include
• Thinking about How You Write
• Avoiding Pitfalls
• Chapter 13: Finding Solid References
• Deciding Who to Ask For a Reference
• Looking at the Content of a Reference
• Taking Responsibility for the References
• Part V: Attending Selection Days . . . And Beyond
• Chapter 14: Attending the Selection Day
• Understanding the Basics of Selection Days
• Getting Ready for Selection Days
• Coping on the Day
• Chapter 15: Preparing for Assessments
• Finding Out About Tests
• Exploring Numeracy Tests
• Getting to Grips with Literacy Tests
• Doing Practical Assessments
• Chapter 16: Excelling in the Interview
• Following the Three Stages of the Interview
• Getting Smart about Interview Etiquette
• Getting Experience of Interviews
• Rehearsing Your Answers
• Questioning the Selectors
• Chapter 17: Getting Your Results and Making Decisions
• Handling Successful Offers
• Dealing with Disappointment
• Part VI: The Part of Tens
• Chapter 18: Ten Tips for a Successful Application
• Plan Your Time Early
• Develop a Research Strategy
• Talk to Other Candidates
• Gain Expert Advice
• Create a Good Impression
• Remain Motivated
• Gain Interview Experience
• Keep in Touch
• Get Some Life Experience
• Put Your Documents in Order
• Chapter 19: Ten Common Pitfalls to Navigate
• Ignoring Entry Criteria
• Leaving Errors in Your Application Form
• Applying to Multiple Nursing Fields
• Failing to Keep Contact Details Up-to-date
• Being Complacent about the Competition
• Confusing Your Experiences
• Ignoring Instructions and Requests
• Being Too Creative
• Demonstrating Poor Communication and Social Skills
• Lacking Integrity
• Index