Career change - MH nursing

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I’m considering a career change and would really appreciate thoughts from those who have done so already. I’m a ex-social worker, I worked in child protection and children’s disability teams for 9 years, then had a career break during which I’ve worked as parent support in a primary school while my children were very young. I’m now considering completing a masters in mental health nursing, with the ultimate aim of working in CAMHS (am under no illusions of the pressures of CAMHS, have spent lots of time interacting as a SW).

I would love to hear from people who’ve trained as nurses while having primary-aged children - how did you find it? If anyone is a mental health nurse - what were your placements like? Thanks

Not a MH nurse but I work in a dept that teaches them. I find some of their biggest surprises are around having quite a few placements in areas where people have sometimes quite complex physical health needs, older adults etc - and having to have a working knowledge of anatomy/physiology and bodily fluids etc.

However, there are many with small and medium sized children who manage brilliantly with the pressures of placements and theory. The unsocial hours shifts can be challenging for some.

I'm mh nurse qualified nearly 3 years, stated my degree when I was 34. I had a varied range of placements which I enjoyed, much more than the theirt at uni. My placements ranged from acute, rehab, older persons and mother and baby. I never had forensic or children's mental health placements. On the whole I enjoy my job.

Nursing applications are an all high, it was on the news a few days ago.
On the plus side they prefer the mature students.

Local university here has under 12 spaces available.

It’s worth enquirers but the cut of dates were in January for this September.

Masters is a great way to face track into nursing. My friend done it after a social science degree.