to jack it all in and become a midwife?

[Khaleasy]

I'm 21 (22 next week, if that makes a difference ) and I don't have a set career path.
Very jealous of my bf who has done a degree in Marine Biology, a masters in Marine Biology and is now a...Marine Biologist. She has always wanted this and I am envious of her certainty.
I've always been interested in Midwifery and think i would enjoy it and be good at it; but never considered it as a career choice because - rather stupidly - I hadn't researched the options as someone told me you have to be a nurse first (not true).
I'm currently doing a very slow part time degree in psychology with the OU with the vague view of going into counselling but have no real passion behind it.
As a trainee midwife though I would have to train for three years on a very small grant (about £5,000-£6000 a year) to then be on a starting salary of £22,000. My salary in my current role is £21,000 (Qualifications Admin) though I'm not really interested in admin.
AIBU to seriously consider going back to being a poor student for 3 years (I live with OH and a dog) to persue midwifery?

You need to be really passionate about midwifery, that's the reason some of us at college didn't get in this year, our passion didn't come across. So just thinking you'll enjoy it won't be enough.

And I disagree that applying for nursing and midwifery is a bad idea, there were people at college who did this, got interviews for both and got places on nursing. that said, I've been told they ate getting rid of the 18month midwifery course for registered nurses.

Good luck whatever you decide!

I'd say research as much and get as much experience as possible. I know a lovely breastfeeding support worker, who I thought would sail into it with her experience, but she didn't. I don't know if it was down to her experience, maybe it was other reasons. But hopefully she'll try again and get onto the course.

I went back to uni at 27 to do nursing. I had wanted to be a midwife and got an interview ( I'd never get an interview now). At the interview they were also recruiting for nursing and asked if we wanted to do that. I've now been a nurse for nearly 4 years and I love it and am glad I did it rather than midwifery, although I still think it'd be a great job.

If you're interested in supporting people type jobs, have you thought about nursing? Nurses have been getting a lot of stick recently but it is really varied and challenging, and there are some very interesting and skilled roles.

MrsKoala and CoolWaterRose Thanks for all the advice. I definitely think I will look into it more and explore the idea of maybe going next year! Which is quite an exciting thought :) I am only on 15k now, perhaps it would be possible to work it all out financially. I am England (Norwich) so the funding from SLC would majorly help :)

Sorry to butt in khaleasy

Katykuns - no worries! Its all interesting advice!