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Original poster

To have a baby during a nursing degree

31 replies

bluestripymug · 13/12/2016 20:52

I'm in my twenties and going to uni in Sept 2017.
Just thinking of the future, really, and when to have a baby.
Has anyone had a baby during their nursing degree? Being a nurse is my passion but being a mother is my dream.
Options are to have a baby during the degree or to wait until I qualify, work for at least a year and then have a baby.
But I'm broody now & don't want to wait another 5-6 years. But having a baby at uni with all the placements seems impossible too!
Any experiences of the above?

OP posts:
CalorieCreditEqualsCake · 13/12/2016 20:55

If you had the baby during the degree you wouldn't get any maternity pay. And you would struggle to do uni work and placements and find childcare for a baby for night shifts and weekends with a baby.

I'm starting in Jan and I have two kids, I'm worried sick how I'm going to juggle it all and that's with a great support net work and school aged children.

I'm broody too but no way could I do it with a baby.

On the other hand just because I couldn't do it, doesn't mean others can't.

sj257 · 13/12/2016 20:58

I did a "normal" degree, as in in uni 3 days a week. I found it hard with two school age children, not a chance I could have done nursing (which is what I wanted to do originally). I think it depends on how much support you would get from family?

Underthemoonlight · 13/12/2016 20:59

It has changed now when I was going my nursing degree I got a burseary I fell pregnant and did quality for maternity pay from the NHS . I however due to circumstances at the time didn't go back to uni I was 6 month off qualifying. If you're serious about nursing wait, it's getting harder now they are charging tuition fees and are on about getting rid of the bursary.

baconandeggies · 13/12/2016 20:59

It's a real struggle but others have done it. Someone I know as a 2nd year student nurse gave birth in her 2nd year then back to placement 4 weeks later - she was determined but it was unplanned. You can also take more time out and I think there may be maternity funding now as it changed about 10 years ago?

FruitCider · 13/12/2016 21:01

My child was 8 months old when I started my nursing degree. I'm now qualified and more exhausted than ever.

You also need to take childcare costs during the degree and post qualifying into account. My advice would be to qualify and wait for at least a year before trying.

ElspethFlashman · 13/12/2016 21:01

Wait till you qualify. I did it that way. I was pregnant the last 6 months of it, which was hard enough believe me! It worked out ok, I went to work after a few months and didn't feel I missed much.

One person got pregnant at the end of 1st Yr. She ended up having to take a year off cos her due date clashed with exam time.

Allthewaves · 13/12/2016 21:04

Unless you have a partner who's will in to stay at home I'd wait until after. That way you can enjoy baby after and get maternity pay

AyeAmarok · 13/12/2016 21:04

I think it would be sensible to wait until you're finished your degree, and ideally have been working for a bit.

You're in your twenties! You've plenty of time.

YelloDraw · 13/12/2016 21:05

Whats the rush?

Get qualfied. Get a job. Get PG > enjoy paid maternity.

PaulAnkaTheDog · 13/12/2016 21:06

I ended up turning down an acceptance to do a nursing degree because it simply wasn't feasible to do with a baby. The course load, placements and intensity are monumental. I was a single parent though.

katiegg · 13/12/2016 21:07

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Smartleatherbag · 13/12/2016 21:07

It's not possible. There are placements, with 12hr shifts etc. Do one first then the other.

Etak15 · 13/12/2016 21:15

Agree with yellowdraw, but we've had a few students that have had baby's midway through training - all worked out ok for them in the end but not something that they planned I think! When it comes to working nights you won't be expected to do more than the minimum you need to do (unless you get stuck with a mentor that only does nights or they are really evil to you Wink

But will still be hard for you having to fit in uni, placements, uni work and usually student nurses work part time too to survive! So would be hard to add a baby into that mix too.

Mouthofmisery · 13/12/2016 21:19

Nursing is way more satisfying than being a mother. Don't ruin your nurse training, it's a really special time.

YoHoHoandabottleofTequila · 13/12/2016 21:24

I can't imagine doing my nurse training with a baby. It's hard work as it is! Have you got childcare for all the weekends and nights you will be expected to work? What about time to do assignment which you will be doing at the same time you're on placement.

Just wait until you're working and get maternity pay. Maternity leave in the NHS is generous so use it.

saltandvinegarcrisps1 · 13/12/2016 21:29

It is possible but almost always requires the student to take time out as they are unable to fulfill the number of clinical hours to progress from one year to the next. So a 3 year degree takes 4 years plus. Then if there is additional sickness (student or child) it can mean even more time off and sometimes 'timing out' - not being able to complete within the required time frame (NMC recently dropped 5 year to complete rule but most uni's are sticking with it). I would wait until after and enjoy the benefits of maternity pay etc.

Duckyneedsaclean · 13/12/2016 21:44

I had a baby in May of 3rd year. If you get bursury, you are entitled to 52 weeks maternity pay.

It was fine, every placement I was on while pregnant was very supportive, as was my uni.

Polarbearflavour · 13/12/2016 21:51

You will be broke and even more exhausted! It's a hard enough course as it is.

Toddlerteaplease · 13/12/2016 21:52

One of my colleagues got pregnant with twins during our course. (Diploma) and still qualified with us

Headofthehive55 · 13/12/2016 22:13

There was one on my course. You just drop back a year.
Easier to wait I guess. It depends on your support at home for baby. Most nurseries don't cover shift times.

ragz134 · 13/12/2016 22:18

I started in September, two of my cohort are pregnant - they will be leaving partway though and rejoining in a year or two. Lecturer said at least one baby per cohort per year is normal! As to how they manage? No idea! Mine are all at school and DH works from home so I manage. Not sure what I would do in your position but then I haven't ever planned a pregnancy!

scaredofthecity · 13/12/2016 22:34

No way. Your setting yourself up for failure.
Wait till your qualified. Nurse training is hard enough as a young child free person. What if your child is one of the many that doesn't sleep? And pregnancy itself is really hard for many women.
That doesn't mean it's impossible, but I bet very few of those who had a baby during their training would do so again through choice!
There is no rush even if it feels like there is. I was so broody but we waited till we were married (which we needed me to be qualified to pay for!) And I had been qualified 2 years when I had him. I am still younger than most mums, and I'm grateful for that time to cement my training as working part time is a very different experience.
If you were in your late 30s then the advice would obviously be different, but you have got time on your side and you need to think about setting up a good future for your family and getting a nursing degree will do that.
(Fwiw retraining is the best thing I ever did. I love my job and can't imagine doing anything else right now)
Good luck!

Christmasmice · 13/12/2016 22:45

Does twenties = 21 or 22 or 28 or 29? Because that might make a difference. If the former I'd say get your training done. Enjoy your freedom. Have patience! If the latter I can see why you'd want to push it and I'd be more inclined to say it'll be very tough but worth it

PinkCrystal · 13/12/2016 22:54

I am training in an allied field. I considered nursing but couldn't manage the shifts around DH's shifts.

I have 5 children and started a degree years ago with 1 child but got pregnant with no 2 and left. It was already a struggle with the one DC with childcare etc and the hours were much better than nursing. Nurses get less time off than other students which is worth bearing in mind. Some fields such as PT and OT get more traditional uni hols (not always) Also bursaries have been scrapped and am not sure how that works now.

On my course lots of people get pregnant and take a year out. Some come back and some don't. There is also the option just announced of training 'on the job' in nursing so that could be an option?

PinkCrystal · 13/12/2016 22:55

Forgot to say all my children are school age now and I still find it hard fitting everything in. On top of full time placements are essays etc. Sometimes very hard and feel.like don't see DC.

You have years ahead. Many nurse and allied students are 30/40/50.

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