To become a midwife?

[ApplesandOrangesandPears]

I'm currently doing an access to university course, I'm 27 years old so I will be an older student if I get into university and I have 2 children to work around as well. I know this is going to be incredibly difficult, but it's something I've been thinking about for a long time now. I've had someone point out reasons that it's a bad idea like the NHS failing, the poor pay and childcare difficulties with the shifts. Part of me feels like I'm setting myself up for failure, the other part of me is excited and proud of myself for finally trying to better myself.

AIBU to think this is a good idea?

You might find the views of other people doing the same thing helpful. You’ll find them on the Mature Study and Retraining board, here:

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/mature_students

I've just signed up for an Access to Midwifery course OP. I will have 2 kids by the time that finishes then will be heading to uni. You can do it!! Don't pull out now and regret it down the line.

This is helpful for old advice but very rarely seems to be used. I posted a question on here 2 weeks ago and it has 0 replies but is still in the top 15 threads.

Hey, I did half of my midwifery degree so I know how you’re feeling! I ultimately gave up because covid impacted our learning and placement opportunities, I don’t regret leaving but I also don’t regret starting.

As you have probably read, it is a RIDICULOUSLY difficult degree, you’re doing a degree level academic course whilst simultaneously working 36 hours a week for a lot of the year.

That being said, it’s very rewarding and provided you are disciplined, organised and have a solid, reliable support network (for your kids and your mental health) it is absolutely doable!

If you are able to take bank shifts as a healthcare/ maternity support worker in your local trust I would recommend it, just so that you can see what you’re signing up for beforehand.

Whatever you decide, good luck and well done on your access course!

@IrregularChoiceFan Yes, I can see your OP there.

The thing about starting threads is you need to actively curate them. It may be that if you had returned to yours at a different time, and bumped it by adding a new comment, people who missed it the first time might have responded.

Alternatively there may simply be no one who had anything helpful to say.

But, given that the Mature Study board was started relatively recently to meet a specific need - and already has hundreds of threads - I’m not sure it’s fair or accurate to write it off.

It’s one. Of the courses with hardly any places available due to availability of placements, so be prepared it might take u a few years of applying to get a place.
Placements can be up to 2 hrs journey away from uni, so that may well add to yr childcare costs, but if u r prepared for that it’s a fantastic career.
If u don’t get in first time applying get a job as an hca so they can see u r committed.
Good luck, u will get a £5k a year bursary and I think it’s £2k to help with childcare costs, but u won’t qualify for uc to help with childcare costs, despite all the hours of unpaid work u will do.