Would you apply for this?

[Sexentric]

So I've wanted to work in healthcare for EVER. But life got in the way. I left home very young and couldn't afford to study and not work so the only school qualications I have are GCSE's. Despite that I got lucky, got a job in investment banking at 18 and took a load of industry exams, did very well. Got pregnant at 35, had twins and couldn't go back to the long hours. Took 3 years off, then went back to work for a charity because of their flexibility in their finance department. I hate it. The organisation does great things but the actual work is so dull. But I've stuck it out for 6.5 years because it works with fanily life. Now I've found an apprenticeship in healthcare for a role i REALLY want. Its 37.5 hours a week (I currently work 30) for pretty much the same money but its all Mon-Friday over 4 days. 8am - 6pm. It would mean finding childcare for after school as the ASC ends at 6 and I obviously couldn't be there at the same time my shift finishes. DH can wfh one day a week so would do pick up that day leaving 3 days to cover (he works in Central London and doesnt get back till about 7.30 - we need his job) We have no family who will help us. My kids are 11 so really wouldn't want to go to a childminder with a load of little ones but they are year 6 so from September will be able to walk themselves to and from school which will help massively bc we need to drive to their primary.
Also - and this sounds daft! I have a really nice home office that's only just been finished as I currently wfh 3 days a week. I would obviously not be making use of that
Should I apply? If so what do I do with the kids? I feel like its too good to be true but i just dont know if im being selfish or even if we could make it work.

Do apply. Sounds great.

see if you can get an after school nanny - either a local student or an older lady who wants part time. Can your kids walk or bus home from school? Or do they have to be driven?

No at the moment they have to be driven. We moved to be in the catchment for a good secondary but didn't want to make them change schools in year 5. So we will have a term left of year 6 by the time I started if I were to get it

Aside from the childcare issue I wouldn't do it on the basis of working 8-6 4 days a week. Those are long hours and to get a 37.5hr week in you're only getting 30minutes for lunch so no time to pop to shops / bank / do some online adulting etc That doesn't even really give you time to go for a walk and eat and I'd go mad if i didn't leave the building most days over lunchtime.

Yes. You can make it work.

I went to a work talk earlier this week, and the woman talking said, if it scares you, do it - the rewards will be worth it. If it doesn't scare you, you're probably not aiming high enough.

She had done a degree apprenticeship with baby1 being born at the end of her first year, and baby 2 as she was writing up her final year dissertation,and she still got a first.

It won't be easy, but you will regret not going for it far more than you will by giving it a shot. Your current role is dull, and boredom can be almost as stressful in some ways as overwork. Plus 11 year olds don't need constant supervision.

I think i feel a bit unreasonably guilty about it really. It will make things harder for everyone in the family (including me) but only i will benefit. But i know thats irrational because until now really its only been me that gave up everything for their first years and then took a job that really doesn't suit me just because it fits family life.

But apart from the fact that I really don't like my current job I actually reckon AI will have made me unnecessary within yhe next 10 years or so anyway. And im already 48 so would be pretty hard to find something else by then. But then I keep thinking I should just wait till September and look then

What is the pay and conditions of the actual job when you finish the apprenticeship?

But it won't be only the OP benefitting- a more fulfilled parent will be better for the children, and it's good for them to see adults studying, changing career and working for something that they feel passionate about. It's happening at a time when things are going to be changing for the children anyway, so things were never going to stay the same forever.

It depends on the role tbh, healthcare is not an easy industry to work in with high burnout levels. I’d have to be really sure it was the role for me to give up the flexibility and shorter hours you currently have.

The pay when i finish will be similar to what id be on full time in my current role. But it will be over 4 days i stead of 5 which is great but its NHS so fully on-site which is less great (only for family life though. I really dont like wfh. I find it lonely) pension wil be way better.

One step at a time! I wouldn't be worrying about any of this until you actually get offered the new role. Apprenticeships are very competitive.

I agree with this. And it would give me a level 3 HCA job. Which is hard work I know. But its at an amazing specialist hospital with their own school onsite and id be planning to study with them for a nursing degree eventually.

I know. But i wouldn't want to waste everyone's time. I dont see the pointbjn applying if I've no plan on taking it if I were offered.

I say go for it

The childcare/pickups sounds like a short term problem until they change schools in Sep and can get themselves there and back. You’ll regret not going for your dream job. And the family will benefit from a happy Mum who has an extra non working day a week

I agree its long hours. I only get half an hour at the moment though and no day off in the week so I reckon it would probably be ok

Could you consider a short term au pair ? I know they are difficult to get atm, but you may strike lucky given you are in London. Could you convert your new office into a bedroom if needed? It would only be needed until September. If your kids are sensible, they should be ok to let themselves in after school/ make themselves a snack etc.

Otherwise, advertise for an after school nanny on a temporary contract - a child care student maybe? It is only for a few months, you can make it work. If this has always been your dream then go for it. I know lots of people are (understandably) really negative about working for the NHS, there are also amazing teams and comdraderie. I know lots of nurses and junior doctors who love their work. And you have so many options open to you in London!