Nursing degree as single parent

[ragmayo]

Does anyone have experience of this? I really would love to, but very worried about the financial implications. I'd really appreciate any input/experiences please?

[Lara53]

How old is your child Do you have help with childcare when you are doing shift work - early mornings, late nights, night shifts?

[ragmayo]

@Lara53 my youngest are ten. I'm currently working, and been for four years, as a nursing assistant in hospital so am used to the shifts. I know it'll be hard, (I've studied alongside working before) but it's the financial side that really concerns me.

[damekindness]

I would think about the placement shift work- most areas tend to have 12 hour shifts - a 7am start and 8pm finish is hard for childcare unless you have committed support from family and friends

[mrsstephens89]

Hi,
I did physio at uni and placement hours were standard 9-5:30 for me 5 days a week plus assessment prep, meetings with hospital staff and lecturers, recording progress etc. Some of the people on the course were put two counties away from the uni on their placement so either had to move out into a hotel or hospital accommodation for several weeks. Doable for me and others but we had no kids.
Also you’ll probably be doing night shifts as a nurse rather than standard office hours so you’d have to factor that in but you mentioned that you’re used to the shifts.
However, financially, I think you would be covered in terms of placement as you can claim travel and accommodation costs back from the LSF so you wouldn’t have to use your student loan to cover costs.
Learning wise, all healthcare courses are tough but with your experience, I think you’d be in a better position than others in terms of practical skills and knowledge. But of course, you’re not just assessed on that so make sure your essay writing is up to scratch because it’s not what you know but how you write it!
You probably wouldn’t be able to work another job on the side. A lot of people I was at university with had to quit weekend jobs because of the intense workload. So financially if you need income from working, I think doing the degree on top would be too much and not doable.

[ragmayo]

@damekindness I have been doing those exact shifts for four years so have no concerns regarding that. It's more financial concerns.

[ragmayo]

@mrsstephens89 thank you for replying and for your input.

[damekindness]

Most of my nursing students seem to be doing some sort of bank/agency work to keep financially afloat. I've no idea how they manage to do this on top of the demands of a nursing programme - but they mostly do

[ragmayo]

@damekindness thank you for your input. We have lots of bank workers on our ward who are nursing students, and we always have nursing students who I know also do bank shifts, so it seems to be doable (somehow!) and necessary

[anniehm]

It's a case of being very hard work for you but for a long term goal. You will get standard student loans but there's extra money for parents. Parents often can get preference on location of placements

[ThankYouDebbie]

Rather than self-fund, you need to find out of your Trust is offering nursing-degree or nursing Associate apprenticeships. And if not, move to one that does. That way, they pay the course fees, not you.

[fudesina]

I agree, can you be seconded?

Would be the best option financially

[ThankYouDebbie]

Health Education England don't fund secondments any more, to the best of my knowledge. They won't fund any course that's now available as an apprenticeship, which means Trusts don't do secondments. Your Education department will be able to tell you what their position is re apprenticeships.