Struggling to find the info I need - NVQ Pharmacy services OR MPharm Degree in SW UK.

[Puddlez]

Heya,

Unfortunalty there is no possible way of me moving or travelling to Bath from Ivybridge. The only way I can do a degree is if there is a distance learning course through a college down here or if somewhere down here takes on the degree course i can enrol on. But tbh spending thousands of pounds on a degree seems crazy to me.

The NVQ costs about 600quid which I am very happy to save up myself and working volentary for a day a week is fine as im earning 1200 a month take home from my other job i can work around it.

I have worked minimum wage before and it just wasnt possible to pay any of my rent or bills and stuck me in a bad situation now (another reason we cant move) So although a trainee position would be perfect for me to get the quals i need the pay just isnt good enough.

I've worked through half an NVQ before a diff subject and tbh it didnt even have a huge amount to do with the subject it was in. I expect this would be the same for this NVQ and any info a I need Im sure its all online for anything I really need help with. The idea of working volentary is just so they take me on and enrol me on the nvq with the benefit being for them, rather then me asking for a job paid, id end up paying all that in 2nd job tax and probably more so id be better off working for free. I wouldnt mind that if I got what I needed from it in other ways.

[dizzyb23]

Completely understand Meg.

I can only comment because of the experiences i've had with NVQ's and various companies. The only thing that bothers me about this voluntary working (tell me to mind my own business if i'm crossing the line here) is that they use you as a gopher instead of you gaining your training/knowledge/qualification.
I lost count of the amount of time I was told "no you can't do your NVQ stuff today as we are too busy" and this has happened to many others too. Also, you can come up against locums who refuse to do any training, staff sickness and holidays etc. Is this because we are PAID employees?? Maybe, if you were a volunteer trainee, you would not have these many issues.
I've also never heard of anyone doing an NVQ through voluntary work in a Pharmacy but that doesn't mean it hasn't happened.
Blimey, I sound so damn negative Meg. Sorry.....
The NVQ 3 I did was through my local hospital (sorry if i've said all this before) and they paid better as a trainee and were on the whole incredibly supportive. The first year was a year of gaining the required knowledge and all of that sort of thing can be found on the net. The second year was harder and I really needed the help as it was all about basically proving you have the competence to pass the course. What a struggle it was!!!!!!!!!! The net helped a bit of the time with this but not so much as the first year.

If I was in your position, I would personally go to each Pharmacy in my area and set up a discussion with the manager/Pharmacist and see what can be done. I bet, with your enthusiasm, you will get set up very soon. Keep us updated and again, i'm sorry to be so negative.
God bless ya

[Puddlez]

Thanks Mr Dizzyb :P That didnt sounds negative to me at all and in fact very useful. I think once I have started my current job and sorted out all the bills and things I will then be in a better position to go and look for trainee work. My only issue is that being a trainee and on a un qualified rate of pay I will be unable to pay my rent.

I shall keep trying!

[dizzyb23]

Yep. That's the thing. Those pesky bills. They're the reason why I came out of Pharmacy when I became a widow a few years ago. I had to pay everything myself and bring up my lovely daughter who was only 13 at the time. I love Pharmacy but as an unqualified assistant, it just did not cover the monthly bills. That's why I went into the Security industry. Boring but very well paid.

When my personal situation improved, I was lucky enough to be able to go and train at the hospital. I don't regret a single second and it truly was the best decision. So, I completely understand where you are coming from Meg. I really hope you find the right place that will get you through your NVQ.

[Puddlez]

You and me both. Its strange how things change and that over the years. I attepmted college straight from school and my gran died that year (first person i ever knew who died so i took it fair hard) this of course ruined my studies and i failed the year, i decided to go out and work to actually have some cash and ive been doing that for nearly 5 years now and its taken those years of experience and different work to realise what I want to do. Now I know what I want to do I can be focused to get it. I dont have much quals or experience in anything major so I feel a bit of a failure next to my partner who is very intellegent and on the line to being very successful. I have all those dreams of the nice cars the big house and all that and it would be great to start on the road to getting there.

Thanks for the help