Can any retired nurses out there answer this query?

Not sure Anja is still with us.
Anya sadly isn’t.
(Old thread)

Just a thought but should the OP be writing about something she doesn't know about? There will be more that qualifications to trip her up.

Alexa

SilverLining, looking back to late 1940s it's terrible the level of responsibility allocated to comparatively inexperienced girls.

I trained as an SRN 68-71, and I needed 5 GCE’s We were left in charge of a ward once we were 2nd year students, at night and sometimes in the day . Awful to think of now and still scary, but it was very different as so many patients were convalescing (in 10 days for a gall bladder op!) Or in just for investigations so not so many very sick patients whereas today you are really sick if you’re in hospital.

I think entry qualifications varied. Officially you needed 5 O's including Maths and English and the more popular nurse training schools would insist on this as a minimum.

Correspondingly the less popular schools would be more accommodating. Cadet training and voluntary work in hospitals could be taken into account also having relatives 'in the trade' especially if they were doctors.

I think it depended largely on which hospital you were applying to.

I started on that path in 1970 at age sixteen, you could join with three GCSE’s and do two years as a cadet nurse until age 18, it was an invaluable grounding, rotating around all hospital departments. Perhaps far more useful than university.

I recognize that this question was asked in 2019 and its now years later.
However, if it is still of interest I started RN training in 1969 in Edinburgh at Royal Infirmary.
I would be happy to to provide further info if you wish to contact me.

SilverLining, looking back to late 1940s it's terrible the level of responsibility allocated to comparatively inexperienced girls.

1980s I taught Scottish Higher English to school leavers who would not have been admitted without higher English.Scottish Highers equivalent then to A-level in England.

wrong symbol

coolgran65 thank you for explaining....it is a very bad habit of mine to go off tangent . I do it IRL too.
I will try to curb it though in this instance there has been provocation. I will try hard not to do it again

Nannarose I accept you want to defend modern nurses but I have seen and heard very distressing incidents in recent times.
Not to me but to the women in the ward of just 4 . It was in 2 cases out and out nasty bullying.
Also I had to listen to a woman being reduced to tears at night by two nurses. There was no need and if I hadn't been wheeled into theatre early next morning I would have complained. I have never forgotten and I feel bad I could not help the poor woman

Also my friend in the hospital has had 10 years to watch certain standards of behaviour change.
Of course there are still wonderful nurses....my own recent experience was good...but it doesn't change my mind.
Sadly my poor health over many decades means I have seen and heard too much really.

I am grateful we have the NHS but I still think nurses should be more about vocation than university degree.

pinkquartz - I'm glad that part of your post was 'banter' but I have to defend modern nurses who, in my experience cope with a great deal.
I cannot refute any personal experience you have had,and am sorry if it was distressing. But would not like your comment about nurses being 'above the messes...' to be regarded as generally true.

pinkquartz I think it means stay with the topic subject and don't get personal about the poster.

welbeck

wtf does play the ball not the man mean? never heard that before

welbeck note

i included a grin to signify some humour also known as banter
no tone was lowered, the named person will understand.

My daughter started nurse training in London in ‘85 and definitely needed GCEs she had both O and A level she trained as a SRN and a few years later a RMN so doubly qualified
I think between 69 s and 80 s a lot changed and changed again as now you need a degree I believe

Will do Riverwalk ...it’s a bit dark and spooky though ? ?

My best friend started nurse training at 16 in 1963 directly on the ward. She had no qualifications but had enthusiasm and a caring nature. I do remember being a bit shocked that on her second day she was asked to give an elderly man a bath.

Sorry forgot to add, going with the majority - yes 5 O levels or entrance exam was the norm.

Suzette thank you for the cape reminder - I felt like a real nurse when I first put mine on, red straps crossed over at the front!

Do let us know when your book comes out Anja.

No wonder I couldn’t find a definitive answer, it seems there were various routes into nursing in those days.

Thanks to all who contributed.

Sorry RMN I meant.

Minimoon was the SRM nurse training a 2 or 3 year course?,

no, you don't have to say it, pink.
that is not necessary, lowers the tone of an interesting slice of social history.
play the ball not the man.