How do i get into nursing college, what grades do i need.?

I am 31 have alot of experiance in allsorts of things, i have been working for a nursing agency for about 3 months and loving it. I am desperate to train as a nurse, what grades do i need and how do i go about it please. I have NVQ's and well many more other things.
I did well i suppose at school but with 2or 3 c's i dont think that is enough, i had a bad time at school so never really cared about doing the work or revising. Now i am older i love to learn and wish i did more but if i knew then what i know now, hey we all think that dont we.

It depends on the university, some will take GCSE's at c & above & some will take you with NVQ's level 3. I got admitted to university to study nursing with a nvq level 3 in hairdressing!! They like to see that you are able to study, it's a plus for you already doing some kind of nursing. Also you have to decide what you would like to study diploma or degree, if you go for a degree you will have a means tested bursary & you have have student loans, or there is a diploma which is a non-means tested bursary & is a lot higher than what the degree students get, also when you have finished your training you will be on the same amount of money no matter what route you take, the only time a degree matter is when you move up the bands but if the trust need you to have a degree for a post the trust are usually happy to pay for it. I'd always say go for a diploma.

If you go to www.nmas.ac.uk which is the nursing & midwifery admission service, they will have all the uni's/ colleges & they will be able to tell you what you will need to apply to go your university of choice. Also contact your local hospital as they might have a student advisor or placement co-ordinator & they might be able to help you.

http://www.studentnurse.org.uk/forum/ this is a really good student nurse site which can help to answer your questions.

Just to make you aware the 1st reply is for the USA & not for the UK & doesn't apply here

Check with your state nursing board and research nursing schools in your area. Find 1-3 that interest you and ask for a visit. If one recommends that you take some prelim classes that will count towards you nursing degree DO IT (Suggestions, ENG 101, college algebra, bio 101, intro to soc, intro to psych, etc). If you do well in those it will strengthen your application.

I for one prefer non-traditional students. They are here to learn not because mom and dad said they have to go to college.

If you get in touch with your local nursing college you will get good info from them, they should have an open day. My husband starts his nursing training in October, he wil be 41 by then, he has cse c grades (english and maths are essential) also has nvq's - you have to prove that you have done some recent study (which it soundslike you have) there are 4 branches Learning disabilities (which he is doing), adult, child and mental health, you have to pick your specialism before you apply, you apply on line through NMAS it costs about 12 pounds, you then go for an interview and they let you know on the day if you are successful. Then you go and see occupational health so they can assess your fitness for the course.( The course lasts 3 years 1 yr of general then 2 yrs of your specialism.) When all this is sorted they send you bursary application forms to fill in (this is what my husband is doing right now). We went to the open day (in Lincoln) in March and he found out he was accepted in May. He actually starts on October 22nd. The NMAS (nursing and midwifery advisory service) is very good. Good luck.