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Mature study and retraining

Talk to other Mumsnetters who are considering a career change or are mature students.

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Original poster

What to do?

8 replies

Mochatatts · 22/02/2022 01:22

I currently working part time on nights in home care. I'd like to further my career and gain a nursing qualification. Home life I have 2 kids 14 and 10 that come weekends, OH has 2 kids 12 and 10 that stay over midweek and need school runs doing, he doesn't drive, it's an hour round trip. We've a 1 year old together. He's a chef and has some flexibility in the week but works 12 hours usually over the weekend.

Financially could we do it? What would I qualify for support/loan/childcare wise? We have very very limited support.

Time wise is it feasible? Or do I wait til youngest starts school, older ones can get themselves about (maybe)?

Any and all thoughts appreciated.

OP posts:

SardineJam · 22/02/2022 01:45

Someone I worked with's wife was studying/training to be a nurse and they had a young baby. It would definitely require 'team work' between you and your OH. I am studying ATM part time and have a 10 and 12yo too, also working full time. It's heavy balancing it all but DH is supportive and the load is shared which helps

Original poster

Mochatatts · 22/02/2022 01:53

Thank you for replying. Think I'm just wanting to hear that it's not completely impossible. I've been saying for a while I want to do more, then we had covid and a baby. But I'm only 40 and studied for a degree with the Open University while working in my 20s so not completely new to some juggling.

OP posts:

SardineJam · 22/02/2022 02:08

I'm not sure if it's the same with all nursing courses but the wife of the person I referred to did six months training and then six months practical (or something like that) and her practicals she could choose shift pattern etc, she also didn't drive. She did her practicals with the local hospital that had ties to the local university.

Original poster

Mochatatts · 22/02/2022 02:22

That gives me some hope. I know for looking online that the NHS are recruiting for nurses anyway. I've requested a prospectus from a local uni and enquired about what's required. I'm sure with some hard work and late nights it's doable.

OP posts:

SardineJam · 22/02/2022 02:28

You seem to have the right attitude so that helps 😊 all the best!

quiteathome · 26/02/2022 22:49

I would think it is definitely possible if you can work the childcare and shifts

There are more apprenticeships coming through now. So also worth looking at.

You will get student loans and the bursary with the additional childcare allowance on it

SpicePumpkin · 26/02/2022 23:01

Have you found out if you need to do an access course before applying. A lot of unis want this now even if you have relevant recent experience within health care

Hairyfairy01 · 02/03/2022 12:41

To be honest you will need good childcare in place to do the placements involved in nursing. In my hospital you would be expected to work shifts of 07:45-20:15, 3 or 4 times a week, to include some weekends. You also need to do a certain amount of night shifts. Plenty of people with kids do managed it, but you do tend to need a good support network around you.

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