Like the previous post said - the opportunity's in nursing is fairly varied but not as much as the profession likes to make out. It really depends if you see yourself as a generalist or a specialist?
While nursing offers a good bursary from the Health Department it is also possible to do agency work as a HCA while you're a student nurse and earn up 20 pounds an hour, or more to help you through university.
However, nursing has a strong emphasis on achademic ability now too. You will find 50% of your time spent in class or doing assignments. You will learn how to write and critically think to advance practice as well as learn and begin to practice the more clinical skills of a modern day nurse.
Once you are qualified the pay isn't wonderful considering the demands and level of responsibility that you will have working in the NHS. I don't want to tar all nurses with the same brush as I am one myself but a lot are looking for jobs away from direct patient care, off the front like and wanting to specialise in more 'easier' positions with friendlier family working hours and less stress.
However, other speciality to consider are things that you get paid for training, for example one of the NHS Clinical Scientist roles such as
- Cardiac Physiology (the people who take ECG, stress tests, ECHOs and pacemaking clinics) You can pretty much get a physiologist for each system of the body, e.g GI and Respiratory. However places in these programs are highly competitive.
- SALT (Speech and Language Therapy - helping people speak after stroke and swallowing assessments)
- Audiology (Hearing assessment and hearing aid)
There is loads of positions. It depends what interests you. If you like stress and the life saving stuff then become a nurse. When the **** hits the fan people either want a nurse or a doctor around and non of the above professions. It's a rewarding career.
But try eliminate the 'I don't know if I'll be able too' attitude.
Don't procrastinate too long and don't let fear of failure hold you back.
Good luck.