Parents worried about childcare while studying Nursing or Midwifery?

Hi again @nelfran29, I don't have any children myself but from what I've heard from others is that family are the main help, others have mentioned hearing of au pairs or live in nannies (very expensive, I imagine). Might be worth seeing if there's a childminding agency near you that can offer reliable childcare for when you need it. How may children do you have and what age?

I rely mainly on my mum. But I have had to do certain days and shifts to work around her.....alot of placements arent accommodating though so it can be difficult. In general, being a parent and doing nursing is very difficult, being honest. I find it hard daily. Mainly the guilt I find hard. I hate not having them on my top of mu priorities it kills me. But I'm half way there now and it's gone mega quickly. It is tiring but youl be fine. Sometimes when it seems impossible you just do it and take each day as it comes

Hi Nelfran,
I think the most difficult time is placement time so if you can try and accommodate your mid year holidays around your daughters half term
But on the whole, whilst at university in lectures I've heard a lot of people have their children in breakfast club/after school club to help stretch the day a little longer
I'm not sure how it works as I don't have any children myself but they should help with childcare costs surely but I can imagine it isn't easy

I have found the only way i will be able to do my nursing degree is to have an au pair. This is going to be a challenge in itself but having someone at the house 24/7 will enable me to do the varied shifts and lectures that are expected of me. For me this works out the best and cheapest option as childcare is not cheap at all for obvious reasons.

Are any of you members of 'the secret community of midwives in the making' on facebook! It's such a useful group and has loads of adivce surrounding this! Join and post a question in the group and im 100% sure some lovely people will do the best they can to answer your questions!
I don't have children myself and im starting in september but I can imagine it's going to be really difficult for those who do have children so I really hope you can sort it out! I know many are working the extra 16 hrs per week in order to receive tax credits so they can claim 30 hours free childcare! X

Hi @midwife101, thanks so much for commenting, I might join also, with working 16 hours and getting 30 hours free childcare this is only for children of I believe 2-4 years olds, so this won't help me at all, since my child is in school full time not to mention the school holidays. You would think there would be more support for parents on a nursing or any healthcare course since when we qualify we will be working for the NHS and receiving peanuts, it's so not fair at the least. I know we can claim up to £159 a week which is again peanuts, especially as were in uni 45 weeks of the year, this is a joke

Hi @wannabenurse1990, I don't like the sound of an au pair but I do get where you're coming from even if it means dropping my daughter to a neighbour if I have a 7 am shift at placement, for instance, I'll be more up for that. Possibly breakfast and after school clubs too.

It's so difficult planning ahead without a timetable which I won't get until my start date in September

I completely understand where your coming from, but with my children being 2 and 4years old i need someone here from 6am onwards til 5pm when my husband returns from work. its hard being away from family and real friend at times but thats the way it is lol. I guess we all have different situations and we must ultimately we have to do the best we can. I would love to employ a fulltime nanny instead but at £3500 a month its just out of the question lol

Hi @BubblegumBlue, Nursing courses have different holidays to non-term time school holidays so it will be difficult, I'm on the lookout for a childminder, trying to get prepared beforehand.

Hi again, @wannabenurse, £3500 OMG that's insane, I sadly have no partner to help or family, I'm alone, trying to change my life doing something I enjoy

I hope I can do it

I'm going to meet a childminder today, let's hope it goes to plan, I'm anxious
I'm looking for someone for now and when I start uni, I want my daughter to get to know this person now so it's easier when I start university. There is an after school club nearby who do school pickups which are until 6 pm not great if you're running late or an emergency happens.

Hi, have you started nursing yet? How did you manage the childcare? I got offer to Start on September but as a lone parent without any support I am thinking of not accepting after all :/