Am I being realistic to consider training to be a midwife?

[Wills]

I'm 44 yrs old with 4 kids (the youngest starting school in September). I would have to return to university to take a midwifery degree but that doesn't daunt me. I've looked at what you do as a midwife and it all looks very exciting - but the bit that concerns me is whether it would be realistic. Is it possible to balance kids and a career in midwifery?

I'm a nurse.

This will be very hard to do with 4 children and your salary isn't enough at the end to cover all the extra childcare you will need on shifts.

Things like taking the children to sports clubs etc regularly is impossible.

Also midwifery is nearly always shift work, there are very few 9-5 options.

It's easier to get nursing jobs with regular hours.
If you really like the whole baby thing, what about Health Visiting?

I wouldn't. Pay in the NHS is rubbish now and they are down grading professions so most people (new starters in the NHS) will stay as a band 5.
It is impossible to work NHS shifts with children...unless you have a very good support network.
I agree with pp...health visitor would be better.