To think obtaining a nursing degree as a single mum...

[PurpleReigns]

...with 3 children and no support will be hard, but is manageable?

I applied last year and was offered a place at university, however, my marriage broke down and so I deferred to this year. I’m now starting this September. I have DC, 10, 12 and 15. No family nearby, friends that will help out on occasion, with the youngest at least. exDH not reliable with contact.

I am getting on in age and feel if I don’t do it this year that will be the end and I’ll be stuck in dead end jobs for the rest of my life. I will need to do an access course if I were to try again to start with...

I have had a few looks from people about doing it this year, so want to see what MN thinks.

AIBU to think studying a nursing degree as a single mum is achievable?

The OP needs to go to a virtual open day at her closest uni and talk to staff there. Different unis will have different set ups and only her local one will be able to tell her if they make allowances for single parents, how much simulation they do, etc.

I qualified as a nurse in the early 90s when I was 21, the training was a lot different then, now mostly uni based. Being a bit older and having children, you have more life experience and a lot to offer.
I think you should go for it and get as much help as you can. The children are growing up. Good luck!

Did you go for it OP? I'm thinking of doing the same as a single mum

I left a nursing degree because I couldn't manage the placements around existing childcare. The academic work was fine but placements are an absolute and utter nightmare. 40 hour weeks for free. 6 weeks 4 x year for 3yrs.

Thanks for your reply, sorry to hear it didn’t work out. I can imagine how impossible that is. It’s a shame they can’t be more flexible. I might go the route of being a HCA again rather than full nursing. I was HCA before my kids for a few years and worked on nurse banks in hospitals and the community mostly, but I’m unsure tbh. Some of it was very heavy and I’m 20 years older now.

@PurpleReignsgood luck. Don’t worry about nights , they are negligible when you’re a student. My sister did 3 in 3 years.

Is there a university mentor or even women's aid who could give advice especially on support and help?