On my own with 4 kids, am i fooling myself to think i could do a Nursing degree??

[CharlotteACavatica]

Id love to go to uni and get my nursing degree, but being on my own with a 10yo, an almost 8yo, a 5yo and an 11mo have i got a chance? even a small one? has anyone else managed a course with alot of hours while also raising a family on their own? Plus im very concerned about having kids in after school clubs alot of the time, sigh, the more i think about it the more i realise i cant possibly have a nice warm home and tea cooked for the kids when they finish school AND do a full time uni course can i?? dont want to spend my life on benefits

If you are on your own with 4 kids you can do anything.

Do not under-estimate yourself!

Respect your "earn-a-living" attitude - make enquiries about part time courses, creches, funding for childcare while in training.

Your 8yo and 10yo are old enough to have a few tasks to help around the house - sorting washing, stripping beds, helping with the younger ones.

I'm not suggesting it will be easy but what is - especially with 4 kids?

Think of the example you will be setting your kids. I can't imagine a better role-model.

I am a strong believer that if you want something enough you will make it happen.

Go for it - make the enquiries and don't give up looking for solutions.

Aw thankyou Ooopsadaisy! :') I so badly want to do it, i really want to do it for my kids as much as me, i only really have my mum for support and she is almost 72 so i dont feel i can rely on her for too much, she's and incredibly fit and well 72 but i feel pretty guilty when asking her for help as i feel she should be doing 'retired' stuff Im going to make some enquiries i think, it wont hurt to look into it will it!

Definitely go for it - I am a single Mum with 2 kids, work fulltime and am doing a degree. It's hard work but worth it in the end. My 2 got on fine with afterschool clubs and the like when I needed them -they never wnated to go home when I arrived to collect them!And you are showing your children that they can do whatever they want to as well which balances out the bit of inconvenience while you are doing your degree. Good luck!

I think a nursing degree requires you to do work placements and probably shifts. Look into this first as the requirements of a nursing degree are different to others.

If it's 9-5 you'll be fine.

A nursing degree is entirely do-able as long as you have rock solid and incredibly flexible childcare.

There is no 9-5 in nursing! You will have some 9-5 days at uni but placements will be across 24 hours. Even if you don't have to do many night shifts there will be some at some point, as well as earlies (could be 0730-1600) and lates (1230-2030) and many departments do long days (0730-2030).

Certainly worth looking into it, but you will have university time, ward and community placements (and not all will be local to you, there may be some degree of travelling depending where you are) and a huge amount of self-directed studying to do as well.

But I think if you really want to do it, you will find a way. Good luck!

Down sides...
It's not 9-5. Most places will have you on placement for 50% of the course. Placements can be miles away and you will be expected to work the shifts your mentor works. These could be 7am - 8pm, sometimes longer. You are required to do a minimum number of hours on night shift.

It will be incredibly hard work and require a lot of organisation. If it works though it will all be worth it.

Nursing is one of the most interesting, rewarding and satisfying degrees and careers. And it's only three years. After that you will come out fully qualified and earn a good living. Universities are incredibly supportive and understanding. So are nurses, when you're on placement.