What job can I do instead? Devastated

[treetea]

I have been working towards a midwifery degree since 2019 and I now cannot continue due to a health issue that doesn't affect me day-to-day, but that they feel makes me unsafe to practice.

It is my dream, I have never wanted to do anything else. I was going to use the degree to set up my own business.

I am now at a loss? I have a 4 year old DS and live alone with him.

I am generally quite intelligent, but not a fan of mathematics.

I'd ideally like something with high (ish) earning potential, but I'd settle for less if I loved it.

I don't want to be in healthcare anymore.

I just can't see myself starting from scratch, I'm absolutely gutted.

Have a look at clinical coding. The wages aren’t great to start with but not bad once qualified. There’s lots of opportunity to contract as well. The hours would also be better to fit in with childcare. Your knowledge in midwifery would transfer

@treetea
You really really need advice from your student union. DON’T DROP OUT YET! Sorry for shouting but this is really important. For health reasons, student finance will fund as many years as you need. You can get this last year “written off” for the purposes of student finance and return when you’re well enough. This is called “Compelling Personal Reasons”. You’ll need evidence of your illness and should get some support from your SU to write the letter. All is not lost! https://www.gov.uk/guidance/going-back-to-uni-or-repeating-a-year

@MrsMorrisey @Dustyourselfoff ok Miss Marples!!!!!

it’s Mumsnet, there’s no need to go all super sleuth on people.

OP said repeatedly it’s a health issue, if this isn’t good enough maybe take a chill pill

as PP said this is a great option -

Clinical Trials for pharmaceutical company or University? Registered nurses/midwives have a lot of transferable skills and knowledge that are valuable in clinical research.

This is very well paid, definitely look into it if it appeals. I know an ex- RN who earns buckets doing this

Absolutely ask if there is anything they can do to pause your course. Being a victim of crime and having an illness as serious reasons for this to be allowed. I can’t say too much as would be outing but daughter on same course and has paused twice…!! One being a victim of crime, the other being ill health. Please please ask again!!! Good luck!

Could you be a health visitor?

You could try NHS management. It's surprisingly well paid after a few years, and your clinical training will be an incredible bonus.

Like you’ve said in your posts “it’s a great option for registered nurse/midwives”* *- OP has told us that she isn’t going to make it as far as registration as a midwife so it won’t be a great option for her.

This has been answered multiple times on the thread already. Health visitors need to have active registration on the NMC register as a Nurse or Midwife - the health visiting qualification doesn’t standalone, it’s an add on to Nursing or Midwifery.

A role in teaching - do not do cover supervisor or teaching assistant, they are v low paid.

I became a medical writer after 20 years in mental health nursing. If you're good at writing and referencing its a well paid option and training can either be done through an agency (via macclesfield, london, newcastle) or through EMWA or AMWA (european/american medical writers assoc.) It's great.

This
Fight for your right to finish it somehow

Facial aesthetics are very popular, with your medical knowledge you'd be a trustworthy practioner and could setup your own clinic

Osteopath?

Absolutely outrageous. I think you need to look into finding some legal advice about disability discrimination. Places are meant to make reasonable adjustments, giving you a bit more time is such a simple thing to do.

In all seriousness with your knowledge you will be an amazing private maternity nurse or doula ..

@treetea really gutted for you, hope that you can move forward with this and channel your talents into something else you enjoy 😊

Student finance be the people to speak to.

If you had to resit year 2, would they find it as it's due to exceptional health issues.
I am pretty sure they do in those cases. (Though yes it's more loans to pay off in the future)

www.gov.uk/guidance/going-back-to-uni-or-repeating-a-year

So sorry you're going through this OP. I know you haven't been diagnosed yet but I'm epileptic and a lot of us function quite well thanks to medication.

I really hope there is a way you can repeat the year. I would consider counselling if you can get more funding. Or find a company like mind that may pay you to train. Good luck how frustrating for you.

That is extremely unfair. I would like to see you getting assistance and getting a chance at this. I hope someone on this thread comes forward to help you.

don’t give up on your dream.

I wouldn't teach (I'm a teacher!) as a single mum. It's a nightmare organising childcare as it is never mind being on your own u less you have great support system. Yes ok you're off in the holidays but my children go to childcare 10 hours a day I see them for 1.5 hours in the evening and then I work again. I also spend at least one afternoon/day over the weekend working. It's a shit work life balance.

I'm so sorry you're having to look at something else. What about baby groups? Baby massage/hypnobirtning/doula etc.

Are you on an NHS training grant or Student Finance and a bursary? If its Student Finance then you can apply for Compelling Personal Reasons to get an extra year of funding. Not sure how the NHS funding works but you should speak to the Student Support team at your university.

@treetea As a senior Midwife with over 30 years experience, both clinically and in education,I beg to differ.
Your training like all medical training in the UK is funded publicly.
whatever you pay for parking each year has literally nothing to do with the cost of your training to the NHS.