Dilemma about new job

[Whatsthekey]

I have 2 young DC aged 4 and 3. One starts school this September and one next September. I have been either on maternity leave or working 2/3 days a week for the past 4.5 years in an allied health profession for the NHS.

An opportunity has come up to apply for a FT role lasting 3 years in London which provides training opportunities and a funded MSc which i desperately want to do and was thinking of doing and paying for myself anyway. The dilemma is that i don't live in London so it would mean 12 hours out of the house Monday-Friday. Before i saw this job advertised i had planned on continuing PT until my youngest started school and then starting my MSc along with my current work schedule.

This is my dream job so if i had no commitments i would apply in a heartbeat. I don't know whether i'm doing my DC a disservice by being out of the house for so long and basically missing every drop off and pick up for the next 3 years as well as sports days, etc. Once the 3 years are over i would be able to apply for a job nearer home working 0.8FTE as head of service so it's a significant pay rise. Otherwise it might take 10 years getting there the route i am currently taking. I am 40 years old. What should i do?

I would apply and see if you get offered it...

Then if I was see if you can negotiate WFH couple of days per week?

@RandomMess Thanks for replying. Unfortunately it's a clinical patient facing role so no chance to WFH. It is worth applying though and seeing if they would consider PT.

It sounds like it would be a great leg up into a better job closer to home, so short-term pain for long-term gain.

You have nothing to lose by applying, so I say go for it and see what happens.

Definitely worth applying, there will be lots of room for negotiations given the current situation

Why would you miss sports days? Surely you'd be able to use leave or flexi. Do.you have a partner?

I would go full time, but I'd be reluctant 5 to do 12 hour days 5 days a week - you're basically opting out of the family except at weekends. If the dc's dad is happy to hold the fort then indent think you'd be wrong to take it, but I wouldn't as it would make me miserable and I wouldn't enjoy seeing the dc so little.

Job share!

I would apply and then work out how it could work if I got it.
It's good for children to see their Mum has an important job.
Can your dp pick up the slack at home, or you can get a nanny/au-pair?

Is it a FT job plus you'll be doing the MSc on top? Because that is a hell of a lot of work on top of a commute to London and 2 young kids.

I did a masters with a part time job and a 2 year old (and a v supportive partner!) and it was tough going!

Thanks all for replying. My DH is very supportive and runs his own business so is flexible. He is able to do all drops and most pick ups too and take time off for kids illness For those saying do a job share and or flexi, it's not that kind of job. It's a medically related residency for 3 years so seeing patients in clinics mostly and then the MSc funded over 3 years.

I could use leave for sports days but was hoping to use it all for school holidays. I think i will apply just to see if i get an interview and then see if they would be willing to offer a 4 day week.

@Stompythedinosaur that's what i'm worried about. I've been with them almost full time up until now and all of a sudden they won't see me all week. The guilt of that is the only thing making me hesitate to apply at all.

Also considering hiring my mum as a before/after school nanny.