Career change, what now? Does a family friendly career exist?

[Trapordo]

I'd have loved to do nursing but it isn't realistic childcare wise with the degree. Nights etc.

My childhood dream was to be a GP (strange one), but that isn't realistic now due to DC.

Law has always captivated me (not City/corporate), but it is incredibly competitive and I have no qualifications for it.

Could anyone suggest something possible? I have a DC. But that's it and no additional. So it's a little easier juggling 1 than multiple I suppose.

I'm currently a PA. I don't enjoy it. I did before DC. I don't feel intellectually enriched from it. But I'm constantly so bloody busy, yet my brain isn't really stimulated. It can be such a rough job and good Pa's are worth their weight in gold. I'm not really one of them but appreciate the skills I've got from it.

I feel as if I'm going to regret what I've chosen to do in life if I don't grab the bull by the horns and get myself a career... And feel as if I deserve it. Just for 'me'

Good for you.
Are you saying you would consider further education in order to move in to a new role & industry?

Yes, I would love to if that's what was needed

Project management? As a PA u will have lots of transferable skills

Definitely don't want to enter into project managment. Have done a bit on the side recently and it wasn't for me.

It's fine, it just doesn't strike me as 'for me'

Physicians Associate sounds like could be a really good fit? Much better hours than nurses/docs and you earn while you train if I recall correctly...

What age are you OP, and how old is your DC? Do you need to manage retraining around childcare (so a full time degree is out)?

Maybe train as a legal secretary? A lot of your PA skills would transfer well. You can study for a legal qualification part time via cilex as well.

Have you thought about Account Management/Sales?

I have been in my industry for ten years plus and have worked my way up from small internal to now corporate and field/home based.

I love it.

Manage my own diary. Scope for promotion if I want it. I haven't wanted it yet but I will soon. I plan my own diary for the most part.

Family friendly careers exist where I work (local authority). Nobody dreams of working there; most people don't leave!

Account Management is not hard sales either. It's some up selling if they need it. No cold calls. It's day to day management of accounts for customers.

I'm in my early twenties if that helps. DC is 2

What qualifications do you have?

I quite like the sound of being a prescribing practitioner but again, not really doable as it's fiercely competitive and requires nursing degree first, plus 2 to 3 years hands on experience as a nurse.

I've researched and everywhere keeps saying adult nursing is extremely competitive, yet I'm always seeing it go into Clearing for my to local uni. Is it just so strict that even though so many want it, they'll reject you if you aren't up to a very very specific standard?

I was a (not very good) PA for a while in my early twenties. It doesn't have to be a career choice, it can be something you do for a while. My experience as one led me to a job in publishing. Honestly, I think you've lots of options, you just need to figure out what interests you. If you like law, look at cilex courses, for example.

Yes, adult nursing is competitive - and if you're not up to scratch on the course they kick you off the course (I know people this has happened to) so you have to be really sure it's manageable with a DC and what you want. Work experience would help.

@Trapordo when l was involved in university courses for nursing, then all academic requirements would have to be met. Even if the academic qualifications are sufficient, then people needed to pass an assessment day including group discussions, literacy / numeracy tests and a group discussion. All candidates did the assessment days even clearing applicants

Physio
OT
Speech therapist

EL8 My local uni have adult nursing in clearing every year since about 2015. But no tests (I'm part of a FB group of student midwives and nurses). The girls there say neither midwifery or adult nursing had a test, just a group chat and then a one to one interview.

However, it seems most other unis do have a test(s) before they even interview

What qualifications do you have?

One - A* GCSE English (language and literature).

I got nothing else. For context I was a bright and happy student, loved studying. Then I went into hospital with a burst ulcer and had psychosis that I couldn't battle any longer. I took time away from it all to recover well. I ended up recovering but just entering the work force aged 16, worked my way up from there...

Got into an abusive relationship around the time I wanted to retake my studies again. It all fell through but luckily I came out of the other side

I've regretted it all ever since but know I had to take the educational break for my own wellbeing

I would highly recommend trying to get into an interesting department of the civil service. Amazing benefits, very family friendly plus opportunities for progression and development.

I'm an adult social worker. If you're interested in health and people's well-being then this could work for you. I work in the community and the hours are family friendly.

Would something like that work for you?

I work in adult education, you’ll need to do a foundation course first before you start an undergraduate degree. My advice is try to get as much work experience as you and try out the sectors you are interested in. You will be eligible for a student loan too abc perhaps a bursary depending on your financial situation.

@Emmapeeler1 yeah they will do that

@Trapordo really? I thought most universities did the numeracy tests and literacy tests. It’s the section some people would try to cheat on

You could always do an access course before university or do an apprenticeship?