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It's a fantastic, personal and supportive learning environment - Katie B

I just wanted to offer some words of wisdom and advice from someone who has taken the Access to Nursing course and is now a 1st year student nurse!

Firstly I want to say how much I appreciate DistanceLearningCentre.com, it's a fantastic, personal and supportive learning environment and I would recommend them to anyone.

The course sets you up beautifully for the modules involved in a nursing degree especially science based subjects. One of my first modules is Introduction to Life Sciences and it is intense! We have six weeks to learn; the organisation of the body, the skin and temperature regulation, the musculoskeletal system, the heart, blood vessels and the lympathic system, the respiratory system, the renal system, gastrointestinal system, nervous system, endocrine system and the reproductive system.

We had one lecture on each subject and two lectures (in this module) a week. Maybe some uni's are different but I would imagine its very similar. That is a lot of work. I am quickly learning that my DistanceLearningCentre.com work was absolutely vital and I'm miles ahead of those that haven't done science since school. So learn it now while you can, enjoy it and appreciate the time you get to learn it! Please don't let this put you off, I'm trying to help you see just how relevant the course is.

Other current modules are Practical Skills which involves working in a lab and learning skills such as taking someones vital signs and learning how to give injections. We also do Theories and Practices of Nursing which is about nursing models, assessment tools and research. There is a maths exam in january so we have weekly sessions on this too.

There is a lot of work and we are currently already sitting mock exams for our exams which take place in January. I go out to placement at UCLH at the beginning of November and I cannot wait!! If anyone has any questions about DistanceLearningCentre.com, the application process for uni or the adults nursing course itself then please ask, I would be happy to help.

I am having the time of my life! Living in halls is incredible and finally studying for my dream career is all I have wanted for a long time. So persevere because you will get there. (Nov 15)

June 2012 - Lisa Ashton

I have worked in many jobs that I never felt inspired in and wished that one day I could work in a job that I loved. After my grandfather passed away I promised myself that I would re-train and become a Midwife as this was the job I had always wanted to do. A Friend told me about DistanceLearningCentre.com, she said that it was a way of getting qualifications needed to get into university and I could do it all from home as I am a busy mum of four children.

I found the course quite daunting at first but the tutors were always there to lend a hand with weekly phone calls and regular e-mails to check progress and give advice, and before I knew it I was half way through the course. I did find it hard juggling the children and coursework but found that as soon as they were all in bed I had a number of hours to concentrate and complete all the work needed.

After applying to a number of Universities to get on their Midwifery course I was disheartened not to receive a place, but this did not stop me I applied to go into nursing and was lucky to get an acceptance at a University on an Adult Nursing degree. I know that it will take me longer to become a midwife but I will get there in the future I am determined. If you are thinking of doing one of DistanceLearningCentre.com's access courses my advice would be 'go for it', it will give you the skills and confidence to go back into education and get the career that you have always wanted to do.

June 2012 - Serena Bucys

I have always wanted a career in healthcare, I looked into starting University but would not be considered as my A levels were over 5 years old and I needed recent study. When I rang Salford University they recommended DistanceLearningCentre.com. From there I started the Access to Midwifery course in August 2011.

I had left college in 2003 and had not done any study since, doing the course has given me an insight into what I can now expect at University as I have been offered a conditional place at Salford University this September. I would have liked to have gone to my local college to study but this wasn't possible as I could not give up work. The course has been tough and I have had to spend every spare minute on the assessments, especially towards the end as I only got my conditional offer at the end of March and I still had a lot to do to complete for June moderation.

My advice would be to take the full 12 months to complete the course and read through all the induction and handbook information fully, I only found out about DistanceLearningCentre.com courses at the end of July and only really started the main assessments in September after completing all the induction work in the August. Then it's all happened really fast attending open days at universities and applying through UCAS.

I did the level 2 English, Maths and IT because my GCSEs were achieved over 10 years ago in 2001, this added to the amount of work that needed to be completed, it also took me a while to get into study again and I found that I was a third of the way through before I started to get used to it all. I have really enjoyed learning again and although I have found the course extremely hard work and challenging I am proud of what I have achieved and in a way will miss acquiring all the knowledge that I have been doing for the last 9 months.

June 2012 - Alexandra Richardson

I enrolled onto the DistanceLearningCentre.com Access to Higher Education Diploma in Midwifery course as due to my lack of science A levels and the fact some institutions do not count UCAS points from general studies qualifications I was unable to apply for my desired degree course; BSC Midwifery. Studying with DistanceLearningCentre.com has at times been challenging as a lot of self motivation is needed especially due to the fact I had to complete all my assignments in the evening once my toddler had gone to bed. There is a lot of work involved; reading and making notes on the detailed course notes provided, researching extra information to add into the assignments and completing the assignments themselves, however both my tutors were always on hand with prompt replies whenever I had a problem and were always more than willing to help.

DistanceLearningCentre.com was the only access course I was interested in taking as it enabled me to study in my own time at home without having to factor in childcare. It has lived up to my expectations of providing me with what I think is a sound base of scientific knowledge to aid me with my chosen degree course. Despite my nerves prior to my final exam which took place via Skype, the exam went very smoothly and my tutor helped me by providing regular time checks to keep my timing for the essay questions on track! I am currently undertaking a variety of work experience placements and in September I will be applying to Universities and all being well thanks to my qualification from DistanceLearningCentre.com will start my dream degree course the following September.

November 2009 - Phylly Alexander

I found out about DistanceLearningCentre.com while Googling further education options, as I knew I was going to need evidence of recent study to support my Midwifery application. Finding a course that was tailor-made for my requirements (work from home, at my own pace, not too much money to pay up-front!) was fantastic - I just knew this was all going to work out!

I found the course fascinating, but much harder (and more!) work than I was expecting. I would say to anyone contemplating DistanceLearningCentre.com to give yourself plenty of time - I personally would recommend at least a year - although of course it depends on how much time you have to dedicate to studying.

The tutors know their stuff and the communication system works well. In my particular case they really had to pull the stops out as, having been offered a place for January 2010, my university had to cancel this intake and in August 2009 I was invited to start in September 2009 instead. I had been anticipating finishing the course over a further leisurely 3 months and instead had to get it all done, including the exam, in a matter of four weeks!

It certainly prepared me for university in terms of hard work and my tutor was absolutely brilliant, turning over my work as fast as she could and liaising with the university on my behalf as my work would not be able to be moderated until November as I had missed the June moderation date.

I have now commenced my degree and have come away from the DistanceLearningCentre.com course with renewed enthusiasm for academic work and increased confidence in my own abilities.