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?

Whilst its good you're thinking it through a bit more I'd say there is never an ideal time to go back to uni and do a course as intensive on both time and emotion as midwifery. Whilst you may have childcare headaches with younger kids I've found as my kids get older they resent me not being around as much and in many ways are more demanding of my time as they get older with things like homework and out of school activities, also emotionally, my dd has just started a new school and likes me being around to offload and just 'be there' for her. As I say, it's never ideal when you have kids. Just something else to think about.

hi, I would say go for it, in fact I am ten yers older than you and am doing just that. A midwifery degree is one of the hardest to get on to and I am on my third time applying, since I started applying I have worked as a breastfeeding supporter, a pregnancy birth and byond volunteer and I now work as a MSW. You will need to get some experinece and have recent study in a related field, I did an ou course in health. I am hoping this is my year. With regards to jobs at the end I think local trusts have a certain number of jobs that are given to the students from their university as well as the ones on NHS jobs so maybe not as bleak as it looks, otherwise you have to work as a msw while you apply for things. good luck x

In my area jobs are not held for students. All jobs are advertised on the NHS website. This may be different elsewhere but it's certainly not a given that jobs are held back from circulation in order to give to students.