Training to be a nurse with two children - IS THIS POSSIBLE?

[sportyspice]

I've never been one to know passionately what it is that i've wanted to do or become and have tried most things BUT i am now more sure than ever that i want to become a nurse. Various reasons have led me to this decision and looking back i can't understand why i didn't realise it before! Is it possible to pursue this type of career with two children? DD's are 3 and 18 months at the moe and dh earns a good salary so would that mean no bursary? I don't understand the financial logisitics of how you go about studying plus childcare etc but would welcome some friendly advice from either knowledge boxes or those who are studying

depends if you do a diploma or degree in nursing- with a diploma you will get a non-means tested bursary of about 5k per year, more if you live in or around london, if you do a degree then its means tested and if your dp earns a good wage then i doubt your bursary would amount to much.
do you have the relevant qualifications to study nursing at uni? if not then an access to health sciences course will be a great help as it prepares you for studying at higher level.
during your nurse training you will assigned to a mentor , you work the same hours as them so of they work nights then so will you.
it is possible with small children, i know lots of people who have undertaken nursing with little ones, you do need good support at home though.
im currently on an access course as i want to be a midwife, its flicked a switch in my head and has only made me more determined to go to uni.
a good website is www.studentmidwives.com it is geared at those wishing to pursue a career in midwifery but a lot of the people on there are student nurses with young children so may give you more of an insight into what is involved.
good luck!

Hi sportyspice, you sound alot like me . I also wish to become a nurse but have decided to put it on the back bolier for now for various reasons.
I have 3 kids and although i know it would be more difficult with kids, people do it all the time.

It took me along time to realise what i wanted to do and i was shocked when i realised it was nursing.
As long as your dh would be supportive then i don't think there is any reason why you couldn't do it.
As far as i know if you do a diploma you get the bursary regardless of your partners earnings. It is only if you do the degree that it is means tested.

Tiredemma is right there is a midwifery forum which is very good, but if you put student nurses forum into google there is a nursing one which should come up.

student nurse site

Hi, I have got a 15 month old and have been qualified for 12 years. I did the old fashioned "traditional" training without children or a husband and no ties and i struggled.
The hours are shift work,earlies, lates and nights and full time. I dont think that you can persue nursing training on a part time basis.
It will probably be one of the hardest things that you will ever do and so you need to be commited, flexible and willing to work hard, heart and soul.
Your home life will be neglected, normal routine will go out of the window unless your partner and family is very very supportive and your days off will consist of study and doing assignments.
When you eventually qualify, you will be abused, asaulted and sneered at if you want to finish your shift on time. You will have to work Christmas, new year, bank holidays and weekends.
When you qualify you will be payed less than a police constable who has 3 months training under his belt.
HOWEVER.......... It will be the most rewarding and fulfilling job that you have ever done. You will be challenged and amazed on a daily basis by people and their ability to survive and carry on in the face of unsurmountable odds.
You will laugh and cry sometimes on an hourly basis, you will feel appreciated and "close" to strangers that you have never met before,you will feel like there is no other job in this world that can offer you such pride at the end of a working day that YOU have done every thing possible to help an individual be comfortable warm,cared for and valued...regardless of what brought them to you.
I highly recommend it, i couldnt do any thing else and advise you to go for it...especially if you are a nosey person like me because people are soooo facinating and no two are the same, you never know what is coming through thoses doors to challenge you next!

and that is why im going to be a nurse well im going to try my best xxxxxxxxxx

Good luck and enjoy!You have got a HUGE adventure ahead of you xxxxxxx

Hi - btw you CAN now study nursing part-time! Check out NHS Careers on 0845 60 60 655
Email: [email protected]
www.nhscareers.nhs.uk
best of luck

hi im currently on an access to nursing course which im doing part time over 2 years, hoping to start nurse training in 2006, all going well!
i have 3 kids 2,5,&7 . i found studying hard at first but once youve got a routine its not too bad. im actually worried re: childcare when i begin training. it means ill need a childminder for 3 kids before and after school, and vacancies are taken up so quickly. we havent anyone (like family) to help so have usually got by between us.

I think DonBean raises an important point if you want to be a nurse then you have to accept that the nature of the job is unsocial hours. The course does these hours so you adjust more quickly to it kwim? I only have a baby and I work similar hours to nurses and plan to train as one next year, it is hard but you adjust suprisingly quickly.

Good luck!