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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think obtaining a nursing degree as a single mum...

207 replies

PurpleReigns · 01/03/2021 18:49

...with 3 children and no support will be hard, but is manageable?

I applied last year and was offered a place at university, however, my marriage broke down and so I deferred to this year. I’m now starting this September. I have DC, 10, 12 and 15. No family nearby, friends that will help out on occasion, with the youngest at least. exDH not reliable with contact.

I am getting on in age and feel if I don’t do it this year that will be the end and I’ll be stuck in dead end jobs for the rest of my life. I will need to do an access course if I were to try again to start with...

I have had a few Hmm looks from people about doing it this year, so want to see what MN thinks.

AIBU to think studying a nursing degree as a single mum is achievable?

OP posts:
Stompythedinosaur · 01/03/2021 18:55

It depends on how much family support you have. I think it may be difficult. You will have to work all sorts of shifts including early starts, late finishes and night shifts.

Mammyloveswine · 01/03/2021 18:54

What about night shifts? That's my first thought!

Could you employ a nanny-type (housekeeper type person) on an ad-hoc basis?

I think go for it though op! Good luck!

Original poster
PurpleReigns · 01/03/2021 18:54

Yes, someone suggested a childminder but unsure my DC are older? Do you get financial help to pay for a childminder, and what about night shifts?

OP posts:
stairway · 01/03/2021 18:54

You will need to think who can look after them during night and 12 hour shifts. Will you expecting the 15 year old to look after them? If you make a big fuss you can get somebody flexibility with shifts but there are minimums requirements.

FourForYouGlenCoco · 01/03/2021 18:54

Sorry to say, but i don’t think it’s manageable. It’s not the actual workload so much as the logistics - most placements expect you to follow your mentor’s rota so if they have 3 night shifts that week, so do you - what are you going to do with the 10yo? Leave them in the care of the 15yo? Placement is long, long hours out of the house. You won’t be able to leave the youngest to fend for themselves all that time. Really sorry OP Sad

CMOTDibbler · 01/03/2021 18:53

How will you cover childcare when you are on nights? Not many friends will have 3 kids for a couple of weeks of nights, or if you have a placement which means leaving really early

Bonitalazenia · 01/03/2021 18:53

Absolutely doable! I trained when my son was 5 and I was a single parent. I used childminders. It was difficult but well worth it as I needed to build a future for both of us.

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