I was a nurse. I spent 3yrs training plus an additional year previous to that to get the right number of entry qualifications i needed.
I practised from 98-06. I gave up because of the shifts - i just couldnt handle it anymore.
Alot of women manage the shifts and childcare but i found it incredibly difficult.
Of course there are nursing jobs that arent shift orientated but they are very few and far between. When you think about it, most nurses are women and most are mothers. All of them want a job without shift work to fit in with family life - so those tyoes of jobs tend to get snapped up.
Also, the nhs isnt very pretty, isnt very pleasant, infact i found most of the time it was pretty darn dangerous.
As a nurse you personally have accountability issues and this worried me on a daily basis. Its exhausting work and the work conditions are poor.
I did love the work, i enjoyed helping others, but it got to a point where i was stuck working the night shifts because i needed to be around during the day for school runs etc etc.
The training is bloody hard and lengthy. I struggled my wau through it really and only just scraped a pass at the end of it.
You do need a shed load of support, determination and perceverance (?sp).
Im a driving instuctor now, so still kind of helping others. They are grateful when i get them through their test. I pick and choose my hours to fit in around my family. No essays to write. No research to do. No risk assessments. No accountability for an entire ward while exremely tired and working with one auxillary.
Is well paid too.
Dont let me put you off, but all this does need consideration before commiting yourself to this career.
Lots of women thrive at nursing, but after all my hard work and tears at college, it didnt suit me as a mother.
My dh didnt help, his job requires me to most almost all actually of the childcare, housework and running about shopping and taking children to clubs/parties etc etc.
Best of luck