To give up work and go to university for 3 years?

[muminthecity]

I have a really good, secure job that I love doing. However, I've been doing it for a long time and have reached the highest level of promotion that I could possibly get. The money is shit, and I'm always broke. I am a single parent to an 8 year old.

I have always, always wanted to be a midwife. I nearly went to uni once to do a degree in midwifery but for various family-related reasons I didn't end up doing it. Then I had DD fairly young and, due to the fact that the course involves lots of work, doing shifts at different hospitals, I never applied again.

However, now that DD is older and at school, which has excellent wrap-around care, and I have lots of supportive friends and family members living close by, I feel that it might just be possible.

The only thing worrying me is the money side of it. Because it is an NHS course, I will get good bursaries, and possibly other loans etc. But however much I get, it will obviously be less than what I earn now, and will be a real struggle. It will mean no holidays or expensive presents for DD for a few years. But I will be much better off financially in the long run.

Also, I turn 30 soon. Am I too old to suddenly become a full time student? I really, really want this but I don't want DD to suffer because of it.

What do you think? Should I go for it, or AIBU?

No question. Do it.

Do it do it do it! Just think what you would rather be doing in ten years! Same old job or running the delivery suite! It's only 3 years and opens doors to a whole new world and what an inspiration to your DD! Best of luck :)

Do it. A degree with a good prospect of a career at the end. You will be setting your daughter a wonderful example of perseverance, resilience and taking risks. Grab the chance with both hands.

Plus you won't be too old far from it! Plenty of people go into nursing and midwifery in their 30s and 40s

Do it! 30 is no age and you will likely be surprised by the range of ages on your course. Midwifery is one of those vocations that people often move towards after having a first career. I know a student midwife in her late forties.

Good luck!

Do it. DSil went back to Uni to do nursing at 40 and is about to graduate. A friend has just graduated in Social Work at 49. 3 years will go in a flash. Both had completely different careers beforehand.

The problem is that there are thousands and thousands of women going in to train as midwives and there are simply not the jobs for them all. Maybe if you are prepared to move to another area after training it might be possible but there's no way everyone can get a job.

I did it in my late 20s so I'd say go for it.

Only thing I'd caution is that midwifery isn't very family friendly. You'll get allocated weekends, nights, etc. early shifts start at 7am, before most child minders will have children. Have you got help for childcare?

Definitely do it! You have SO much to gain in the medium to longterm!
Sounds like you have a great support system too and are still v young my dear, plenty of time to build an excellent new career. Go for it!

^ this. i make my living from midwives. .nurses ..doctors. ..starting a shift at 7am is going to be tough to cover childcare wise ...you'll need some very accommodating family. .or a nanny.

but it's a wonderful job! so do it! Just be prepared to consider the real need to uproot dc to find work.

good luck!

Thank you for telling me to go for it, that is just what I needed to hear!

Thrustbadger - I do have friends and family local to me - my sister has recently moved to the area and lives near DD's school. She has already said she would do all she could to help. My mum lives a 20 minute train ride away and is also willing to be on hand to help out. I also have the wraparound care at school which covers me from 8am - 6pm, as well as friends who would be willing to help at weekends and school holidays. It will be tough but it's do-able.

ImperialBlether - That is something I had not considered at all. I just naively assumed that midwives are always in demand and that it wouldn't be hard to find work. Hmm, that's definitely something I need to think about, so thank you.

Do it, I've just gone back to Uni this year to do an MA. Best decision I've ever made - it can be hard times juggling my DD 2.6 but I'm nearly finished my first year and and have one let and time is flying by! X

do it. Also, not sure about what a pp said about too many midwives - I am certain that here in London (and the south east) there is a shortage of midwives.

One thing - having just worked on a book about studying nursing and midwifery - you will be expected to do nights at some point in your training, so make sure you'll be able to cover that.

Good luck to you! I was so impressed with the midwife that I had when DD was born that I looked into it, but was put off by the length of the course - maybe when she's older - though I'll be pushing 50 then, maybe not!

I gave up work at the age of 33 and went to university full time. I wasn't the oldest in my year!

Thanks again for all your thoughts and encouragement. I am slightly concerned now about the fact that I might not find a job at the end of it. I live in London at the moment, just had a quick search for midwife vacancies in London on the NHS website, which came up with 15 vacancies. Some of those were for supervisor or specialist roles though, so I don't know if that is a true picture or not. I would be willing to move to find work, but would much prefer to stay in London if I could.

MrsOakshield - a shortage of midwives in hospitals isn't the same as a shortage of qualified midwives. Hospitals desperately need more midwives but there isn't always the money to hire them.

I was exactly where you are last year and I gave up my job to do a 2 year MA. it's social work so I get £6k pa bursary plus most of my fees paid, plus as a LP I get housing benefit and child tax credits, plus help with childcare. I also have a career development loan but if you are doing a BA you may be able to get a student loan.

To be honest with you I'm better off financially than I was when I worked! I mean I have a lower income but less to pay for (no council tax, I paid off my credit card with my loan) and it feels less stressful somehow than when I worked.

Do a proper calculation of benefits, bursaries and loans and see where you are. It is probably very possible.

Do it!! I just completed my degree and I'm turning 33 in October!

There is loads of financial help available (I was a lone parent for most of it) so what's stopping you?

Hi op you will easily get a job in London even if you have to do midwife bank shifts to get your foot in the door
I am in glasgow and lots of Neely qualified midwives from hear head to London for thier first jobs.
I would say go for it , I converted from nursing to midwifery and love it.
Good luck :)

Newly

A few of my friends in their late 20s are wanting to be midwives but cant get into university to study it. Here inNorthern anyway there is over 2000 applications for only 30 places.

So dont quit your job or pins your hopes onto getting in
.

If you do though you should go for it!

Interesting Woman's Hour feature on midwifery- not enough training places yet not enough midwives! Birth rate going up and ageing midwifery workforce means demand for mws will inevitably increase - gov/nhs just need to get their act together to expand training. So worth the gamble i'd say.

Do it
So it
DO IT