I'm 37, single widow to two boys (9,14). No family.
I have been in my job for 6 months. I feel valued. It's an easy job. The people are lovely. They increased the salary by £4 per hour to hire me as that was my old salary. It's fairly flexible. I'm paid well for what I do (just under 30k)
I applied for nursing and got accepted. I wasn't sure if I wanted to do it, so I took the job I'm in.
I'm still not sure
Should I defer for a year or not do it at all?
I am not good at making decisions emotionally.
My credit rating is bad, but by Sept 2025 it will have been six years so will be clean. I can remortgage and fix the rate before going to uni, which will reduce outgoings. My youngest will be in year 5 so won't need breakfast club. My eldest will be 16 so can help babysit if needed. I can remortgage now and save £100 a month, but next year may be even better (or not, who knows with this country)
On the other hand. My eldest will start uni while I'm in my last year, so I'll struggle to support him. I'll lose child benefit for him and part of universal credit.
Starting salary for a nurse is 1k lower than my current salary and will be the same for 2 years. But there's no guarantee my current salary will increase and there will probably be a maximum pay range. With nursing it increases every 2 years, so in 2 years I'd earn 4.5k more than I do now.
I could qualify by 40. There's two weeks off every Xmas during the course so I won't miss Xmas with the kids until they're 13 and 18 by which time it's less "magical" for them (youngest still believes). They'll be more independent so when I qualify I can work different hours.
I feel bad letting my employer down as they were desperate to fill my role and I am valued. They're supportive and kind. It's an easy job and I'm unlikely to get the same salary for that job elsewhere. However my role is not one that progresses. It is what it is.
I can't go part time because it's not the kind of job I could be on annual leave for 6 weeks during placements.
I don't know what to do, I would appreciate any guidance you can offer.