Single parent wants to change career into medicine, but has no support.

[Puzzledbyart]

Just out of interest. Let's say we have two primary aged school children (on the younger side of primary). Is it feasible for their single parent to go through the medical school (with a foundation year, they are in 40s, so long out of school), whilst retaining 100% custody of the children? There is no family help nearby, and no substantial savings to pay for the childcare either. Is it realistic at all?

I would say no, especially when it comes to placements as they can be anywhere in the trusts area.

Forgot to say, the children's other parent is unlikely to be supportive - financially or otherwise.

@Alarae
Isn't there a rule that parents of young children have to be placed locally?

Unless you can get a lot of support I’d wait until they were older. Medical school is very full on, and you may not be able to do the school run. What would you do for an income for 6 years?

Yes, I did something similar. Not medicine but a related subject. This was 15 years ago though so things may have changed.
It’s not as hard to study and have primary aged kids as you might think.

School run, or anything else that requires you to support them I meant to say!

You may be able to pick the area but not the shifts
My friend is an F2 and her shifts are INSANE. It’s not a family friendly job for the first 4/5 years at all.

Assuming you they have a place on a course, how are you they going to pay for it if there are no savings, and facing 6 odd years of no income?

It does take some planning.
Does it have to be specially medicine? PP are right the shifts can be a nightmare but your DC will be older then. My degree was 5 years and career oriented but not NHS (more like dentistry)

I'm not sure if the funding is different for medicine but childcare is paid for if you're studying!

I would ring the course tutor and speak to them about how they could accommodate you with your circumstances before you apply.

I understand that some costs will be covered by a bursary, other by various sources (remortgaging the house, some costs covered by family members, loans etc). It is genuinely not about me.

@Thewolfsjustapuppy
Yes, it has to be medicine, it is a childhood dream.

Speaking as someone in a related field.

The university MAY take into account welfare issues when placing you at hospitals for clinical placements - but they dont have too.

I really dont think the university time is the issue. Its the FY1 and 2 years. The shifts are insane and people quite routinely work over their hours. You may get lucky and get a consultant thats onside with you, but its more likely you wont.

Im not saying its impossible but be prepared to pay through the nose for childcare stuff.

I considered radiography when I had my mid life panic. Have you considered something in medicine apart from nursing and Doctor? There are loads of careers out there. I'm not trying to rain on (your?) their parade but I know from experience (best mate) that its bloody hard even without kids. The placements were brutal.

@Fizzypoo
Ah thanks, I did not know that! Yes it does look like 85% of the childcare costs are paid by a grant. It makes it a bit more feasible then!

How would you cope with the nights and weekends with childcare?

@dottyp0104
It is not me. Nights when studying you mean? Or during the clinical placements? Are parents not allowed to choose family friendly shifts?

I find my teens need someone there as much as when primary. Realistically you’ll be in your 50s until you get settled in your career - is it worth the sacrifice of your children’s years st home?

I would say no. Difficult to do with support but nigh on impossible without. Even with local placement.

I would think people with families are still expected to do their fair share of unsociable shifts. It’s only fair. If you sign up to do a role like medicine, then you should be available to actually do it fully.

It's not really childcare costs or ability in this situation. The issue is likely to be time, how do they plan to look after their children when working the insane hours and long shifts required in the early years? Even if placements can be local there could well be a limit, for example, several mature trainees or even the local hospital being difficult to get to in reality. It's a very difficult decision it's and probably best to find out as much practical information before they apply.

@Puzzled I am in my final year of nursing and have 3 children. I've been expected to do nights and weekends throughout my training so I'm not sure the person in question will be exempt from these types of shifts, hope that's helpful!

If they haven’t been in education for a long time how do they get to the point of putting in a competitive application. They would also face the drudgery of the junior doc years with unpredictable shift work which will include lots of overnight and weekend shifts. How will they manage that. It is also a very emotionally demanding and stressful job. The reality of the job is very different from the dream and record numbers are leaving the profession after the fy years.
It would have a very definate impact on family life .

There's no guarantee you'll get a child friendly placement, you're not automatically entitled to it. It's one of those subjects you're best off doing when young, free & without commitments. It is best to have a chat with the course tutor before applying.

There's so many related professions that have recruitment shortages & with less rigorous training demands. Pharmacists,, Occupational therapy, speech therapy etc.

@Srictlybakeoff
They are doing a foundation year / entry to medicine first. As I understand, this does not have very strict academic entry criteria.