Adult student, Tuulike, has gained a place on an Adult Nursing degree at Liverpool John Moores University after successfully completing an Access to HE – Health Professions course at Knowsley Community College.
Tuulike, originally from Estonia but now living in Liverpool, has always had a passion for helping people, with dreams of becoming a nurse. Spurred on by her career as a care worker at a local care company where she had spent the past five years, Tuulike began volunteering at Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital to gain some first-hand experience of nursing.
After gaining a level 2 NVQ in Health and Social Care, her tutor encouraged her to explore the option of undertaking an Access to HE course to make her nursing career dream into a reality. To meet the entry requirement, Tuulike undertook GCSEs in English, maths and Science, successfully passing them gaining C, A, C grades.
Tuulike, 39, began researching local colleges that offered Access to HE qualifications. After receiving several offers from colleges across Merseyside, Tuulike decided to accept the offer of a place from Knowsley Community College. The Access to HE Health Professions course is ideal for adult students who wish to progress on to university and then follow a career as a health professional such as a nurse.
Tuulike says “I applied to a few colleges who offered this type of course and I attended their open days. It was the fantastic impression I got from KCC’s open day which helped me decide that this is where I wanted to study. The tutors were welcoming and valued every single student, creating a lovely atmosphere.”
It was through an Advanced Learner Loan, that Tuulike secured the finances to cover her course fees. Tuulike says, “The process for applying for an Advanced Learner Loan was simple and straightforward. Utilising the loan has helped me out massively. It’s also an added bonus to know that when I successfully go on to complete my adult nursing degree, the loan will be written off.”
Since starting the Access to HE course, she has gone from strength to strength. Tuulike says, “I absolutely love my course, it’s been highly rewarding and has really prepared me for studying at university. It turned my life upside down, because it has been very busy year, that requires time and commitment. But this course gives you so much more back; it improved my confidence and self-esteem, knowledge and language, all whilst achieving new skills. It was also great for socialising; I met new people with same interests and have made friends for a lifetime.”
Recommending the course Tuulike says “This has been one of the best years of my life. The teaching, support and guidance available at Knowsley Community College has been amazing! I would encourage anyone who is looking to progress in their life and perhaps progress to university to take a look at the Access to HE courses. Prepare yourself for a very busy year, but it is so worth it. You will achieve so much and develop in every aspect of your life. Take it as a survival challenge before university!”
Since completing her Access to HE course Tuulike has secured a position as a Bank Nursing Assistant at Aintree Hospital. Upon completion of her degree, Tuulike plans a successful career in the NHS as an Adult Nurse.