To want to study nursing over OT with 3 DC and pregnant.

[Nutter50028]

Hi. As the title says really. For a bit of background I’m 32, have 3 DC aged 10, 8, 6. I’m currently pregnant and due September. I have a partner and good support system. I feel like I’ve wasted most of my 20s and I’m climbing up to 40 so I really want to qualify earn a good wage and enjoy what I do. Thinking of starting uni 2026 September, baby will be 1 by then. I’ve been a HCA for 7 years so I’ve worked with both professionals and have a good idea of both roles.

I’m interested in both roles but my passion is more towards nursing, I have ADHD so I feel like nursing will always keep me on my toes. However I can’t stop but think with OT the degree it self as well as the job will be much more family friendly and will offer me a good work-life balance. The placements will most likely be 9-5 and that will be more doable with all the DCs childcare.

Aibu to overlook OT and follow my passion to do nursing despite my current circumstances and possible struggles with unpredicted nursing placements shifts?

The majority of placements will be quite flexible around shifts if needed to help manage childcare. You’re a HCA already so shifts are nothing new. Definitely do nursing if that’s your passion.

You can get nursing jobs that are more 9 till 5 when qualified as a nurse, in General Practice for example. I’m a Practice Nurse, I love nursing but think being an OT would be enjoyable too.

I am an OT it's true that it's mostly 9 to 5ish. There is a lot of paperwork with OT so do take that into account.

I would say follow your passion and go with your nursing degree.

It's only for three years (assuming you study FT).

Once qualified there are plenty of options that can fit around raising a family.

Or could you do OT and the study masters in nursing at a later date? I'm not sure if it's possible to go that route? Someone else might be able to answer that....

Can you actually do it though? Whilst there are 9-5 jobs in nursing it's rare to get them until you're a few years in. Placements and your first few jobs would be ward based, and you'll already know that they are usually 3 shifts over 24hrs so starting late isn't an option because you're taking over from the last shift?

I know in our area it's made very clear that you have to be available for the shift times and things like childcare and lack of transport (eg before buses are running) aren't something they can accommodate. Emergencies yes, but not as a routine issue, just because it requires someone else to stay back.

You have to go with your passion, otherwise you will feel like you have compromised yourself. It sounds like nursing is more your tribe than OT and you will have loads of choices in nursing. Some shift patterns are pretty favourable for family life.

Following …

As an AHP I would say AHP roles are generally far more family friendly , there are also very varied specialisms and work in a hospital speciality v. Community v. Social care and physical health v. Mental health…everyone can find their own place .historically AHP were always better paid than nursing though AFc has systematically managed to dismantle specialist roles to fit the AFc bands . If you have always worked on a ward you may be unaware of the variety of settings available for OT……but equally I don’t think anyone should do a health degree without having a passion for it!

Go with nursing! The NHS is crying out for nurses who love what they do and are good.

Go with what you love. Have you thought of doing nurse associate training and then topping up?
Dc is doing this, you get payed a wage (band 3 in dc trust), fees paid, have a base ward and set day at uni so shifts (apart from placement weeks) can be negotiated. Dc says na students are treated better than the student nurses because they're classed as permanent staff. Dc also gets a guaranteed job at the end of it if they pass (not all do that apparently).

I don’t agree that placements will necessarily be flexible! I trained as a midwife starting when my children were 5 and 7 and the shifts were wildly unpredictable and only given out 10 days in advance. Before that I wouldn’t know if I was doing days or nights, weekdays or weekends, and I was only able to swap in extreme circumstances. I tried complaining to the uni about it but didn’t get anywhere. We got an Au Pair in the end who could help us be more flexible and my husband also picked up a lot of stuff. Don’t be put off but you would need a Plan A, B and C for childcare in place. Good luck

Always follow your passion.

As a nurse with adhd. You think you will be kept on your toes? Yes to protect your pin!!!

Good wage? Error that's not correct.

I work 9-5 from home and no i am not a pip assessor nhs patients private sector.

If I was you i would do the on the job nurse training where you become a nurse associate and then do the top up.

Do social work. Pays better and that will keep you know your toes.

Only buzz I get is when a challenging patient questions me most don't. I really love been challenged by a patient I get a massive rush and feel amazing at my job. Mostly I'm disassociated where I feel like I'm working but I am sat at the side of myself watching if this makes sense. Then when I get a challenge I'm fully awake and in myself. Concerta has helped me feel more together though. But if I was to go back I would either do social work or mh nursing

Your nursing placements will not be flexible around child care, if you're going into this you'll be expected to be able to work the shifts given and they're usually the same as your mentor on the ward.

My experience is totally different to most people's here. I have always been able to choose my shifts on placement. Also the NMC removed the requirement to be with your PA (or mentor, as they used to be called) for 40% of the time. Maybe it depends where you are but the NHS needs nurses and you're not being paid, there has to be some give and take!

Ward nursing is great with ADHD. You don't get bored, as things are changing all the time. The fast pace and every day is different are great. You finish all of your work before you leave, so you know there's no putting off the boring bits.

Go for it, the oldest childen will be in their teens by the time you qualify, which makes things much easier.

This, and also check how far away placement might be. At my local uni placements can be 90 mins away, no choice on shifts. So leave home at 5:30 at the latest am to get there for 7, not home till 10pm and up to do it all again the next day!

Hello everyone, I wanted to say thanks for all your advice. And also give an update to this. Unfortunately I didn’t carry my pregnancy to term. I had a still birth at 28 weeks to a beautiful baby girl 🌸❤️‍🩹. While my initial plan was to start either nursing or occupational therapy 2026 intake. I ended up applying for this year 2025 through clearing and I got an offer! I’m doing adult nursing this September and I’m really looking forward to it. Again thank you all for your genuine advice ❤️

Sorry you lost your baby girl. Wish you all the very best. I qualified as a nurse at 50! It’s never too late!

I’m so so sorry for your loss. I truly wish you all the best in life

Please don't. Nursing is ghastly with awful unsociable hours. I suffered it for 25 years. Do podiatry. 9 to 5 weekends and bank holidays off. Loads of jobs available. Automatic progression to band 6 in a year. Generally much more civilised for someone who has 4 kids. I love it.

Sorry about your sweet baby. I only just read that xxx