Stay at home vs College

wolfpawnat

Hey everyone,

I started a degree in Nursing in UCD last September even though I knew I was pregnant and completed my xmas exams and everything, with the full intention in completing degree after taking a year off for the baby. Well baby is here and I am thinking! Nursing is a career that involves 12 hour shifts and a variety of both night and day shifts!

I am conflicted as to whether I should complete the course as my partner is a med student so he will be working even more sporadic hours so he will barely get to see our son! I am worried that our little boy would grow up knowing a minder better than us. I don't want to just stay at home and do nothing, I was reading about doing evening courses in childcare and other child related courses as I feel I would want to look after children as a career so I would be there for my son everyday after he comes home from school and be there in the mornings and to tuck him in at night. I should also mention I am in my early twenties so I have no doubt there is always a chance that my son may have sibling(s) in years yet to come!

I suppose I am looking for other mums/dads to say what they have decided to do concerning this matter and how it worked out for them.

deisemum

I'm a childminder and have looked after a nurse's child. Thing is with nursing you may have long days but you also have short days. I know nurses who only work part-time such as 2 days a week or just do nights or days only and have changed their hours to meet family commitments.

Personally If I was in your position I'd stick with nursing.

This

as the daughter of 2 parents who are both in the medical field I have never felt hard done by or like I never got to know them. while i did have a minder 3/4 days a week, the other days were ALL about the kids and they always found ways to make sure i knew they loved and cared about me.

it really just depends on what YOU want, you will find a way to fit plans around your family

cobweb

it depends on what you want i did nurising and worked at it for years. Christmas was a nightmare as the off duty book came out in March for requesting days off for Christmas and it didnt always go my way, also planning for weekends etc and I had no kids. Well I retrained and became a teacher now expecting number 1 baby and no worries.

I would finish the training as it will always stand to you as an agency nurse etc and also you could be lucky get OPD or another 9 to 5 job ie practise nurse and the above would not be an issue. You could also job share nights one week in 5 working, there are advantages and disadvantages, depends on where you will end up working but you can find a way around it.

Good luck with your decision

Moonbeam

If you enjoy iy keep it up,
You will have a degree which even if you decide not to work in nursing it opens up lots of other opportunities for you.
If you drop out you may never go back.