Career and Family

[Coffeemonster1]

We have a 21 month old daughter. I currently do shift work on the children's ward at my local hospital but want to apply to uni this September to do Child Nursing (3 year course). We need to move house, preferable buy our own, in a nicer area prior to our lg going to school in 2017. And have said we would like another baby when our first is 4 (ish) ideally at school. But for those of you who are doing or have done the whole uni, family, shift work, moving house and new baby scenario. What advice have you got. Degree first, baby later? What's the most sensible way of doing things.

How old are you? Most things are easier with fewer kids so I'd go for career first if possible.

I am 25..... I just feel like we couldn't have another baby quite yet. I couldn't cope with two in nappies/pushchair. Yet if I don't get into uni on my first attempt, it could be years down the line, in which case it would be another 5/6 years before I qualify and get round to having another baby which is far too long. I know a career is important but it feel likes if we don't have another baby first, we never will. OH is 31.

My friend's daughter is doing a nursing degree. My friend is also a nurse but qualified in the days when there was no degree level nursing. She has found her DD does hardly any classroom work. Years ago nurses did 6 weeks in the classroom and 6 weeks on the ward. These days it appears to be far more work and learning on the ward and less classroom study. Therefore I would not be put off doing the degree right now. Yes, it will be really hard work with a child but I would get on with it because you are already 7 years behind your peers. I would then see what the job situation is like and decide if you can take time out for a baby. We never seem to have enough nurses so I would imagine you could get a job fairly easily even if it not quite in the field of nursing you want. I think only you can decide when to buy a house but moving can be coped with by taking a few days holiday. If you need to save up and need a job, then you need to consider the finances of doing a nursing degree over carrying on working.

I put children on hold and pursued a career but I did not finish studying until I was 34. You are younger than that so you still could have another child in 5 years time - easily! Just a big gap. I think you also have to consider whether you will be fulfilled as a person staying where you are and not nursing. I had to get qualifications to prove to myself and everyone else that I could do it and get a very good job too! I was driven, I have to say, but that may not be you! Good luck in whatever you decide.

I was in my early 30s when I got pregnant for the first time. I'd see how your application goes because if you get in next year then you'll only be 29 when you finish. You could always start TTC in the last few months although if nursing has final exams you don't want to be at the tired and vomity stage then so maybe as well to leave it.