should i stick to nursing or go into a different profession?

Hello, my name is Leyla and im currently in year 12 hoping to apply for children's nursing in october this year. I have a huge passion for nursing ever since i was young. I remember me filling out that in 20 years time i will be a nurse in my year 6 yearbook. I think from mid year 11 is when i was finally doing research into nursing and what specialties would interest me. Ive been watching so many student nurses videos on youtube and tiktok and watched the 'student nurses' series from the channel 'Our stories' and even watched 'Nurses on the ward'. So yeah whenever someone asks me till this day what i want to do later, the answer would always be nursing.

However whenever i tell people that i want to be a nurse, 8/10 would them suggesting that i look into a different career. The reasons they give is all the same with 'underpaid' and 'overworked'. But the thing is i already knew that ages ago and it doesn't make me not want to become a nurse. I live in London and from what i know every single registered nurse would start from band 5, and by looking at the nhs band pay scheme it would be approximately £30,000 to about £39,000 (which would then increase if you transfer to band 6 and 7).

I have looked into different career paths for example, speech and language therapy and primary teaching. I even did a work experience at my primary school and enjoyed it. However both of those professions doesnt resonate with me the way nursing does.

Also another thing is i just dont want to make a mistake and look back 20 years from now and say "i shouldve chosen xyz instead of nursing". Thats something im really scared of.

I know nursing is challenging and can make people think if they chosen the right career path or not, but im truly saying that im passionate on becoming a children's nurse. I just wish i would have same mindset 20 years from now :smile:

Reply 1

EdgeHillStudents

Official Rep

Original post by blind-ranger

Hello, my name is Leyla and im currently in year 12 hoping to apply for children's nursing in october this year. I have a huge passion for nursing ever since i was young. I remember me filling out that in 20 years time i will be a nurse in my year 6 yearbook. I think from mid year 11 is when i was finally doing research into nursing and what specialties would interest me. Ive been watching so many student nurses videos on youtube and tiktok and watched the 'student nurses' series from the channel 'Our stories' and even watched 'Nurses on the ward'. So yeah whenever someone asks me till this day what i want to do later, the answer would always be nursing.
However whenever i tell people that i want to be a nurse, 8/10 would them suggesting that i look into a different career. The reasons they give is all the same with 'underpaid' and 'overworked'. But the thing is i already knew that ages ago and it doesn't make me not want to become a nurse. I live in London and from what i know every single registered nurse would start from band 5, and by looking at the nhs band pay scheme it would be approximately £30,000 to about £39,000 (which would then increase if you transfer to band 6 and 7).
I have looked into different career paths for example, speech and language therapy and primary teaching. I even did a work experience at my primary school and enjoyed it. However both of those professions doesnt resonate with me the way nursing does.
Also another thing is i just dont want to make a mistake and look back 20 years from now and say "i shouldve chosen xyz instead of nursing". Thats something im really scared of.
I know nursing is challenging and can make people think if they chosen the right career path or not, but im truly saying that im passionate on becoming a children's nurse. I just wish i would have same mindset 20 years from now :smile:

Hi @blind-ranger !

The first thing I would say is that you should definitely go for the course that you want to do. I understand it can be daunting to commit to a certain career path but it sounds to me as though you have such a strong passion for nursing and if that is what you want to do then 100% go for it!! Of course it can be difficult when others are influencing you. I understand as I study creative writing which many view as a course with not many career prospects but I ultimately decided that I was passionate about writing and that I would do it no matter what and I certainly don't regret my choice.

I was also afraid I would regret my choice but I would just say to try and trust yourself in what you want to do and also that if it turns out to not be the right path for you then that is ok too and you can adjust accordingly.

I really hope this helped!!
All the best 😄

Emily
Second Year Creative Writing Student

Reply 2

Tracey_W

Original post by blind-ranger

Hello, my name is Leyla and im currently in year 12 hoping to apply for children's nursing in october this year. I have a huge passion for nursing ever since i was young. I remember me filling out that in 20 years time i will be a nurse in my year 6 yearbook. I think from mid year 11 is when i was finally doing research into nursing and what specialties would interest me. Ive been watching so many student nurses videos on youtube and tiktok and watched the 'student nurses' series from the channel 'Our stories' and even watched 'Nurses on the ward'. So yeah whenever someone asks me till this day what i want to do later, the answer would always be nursing.
However whenever i tell people that i want to be a nurse, 8/10 would them suggesting that i look into a different career. The reasons they give is all the same with 'underpaid' and 'overworked'. But the thing is i already knew that ages ago and it doesn't make me not want to become a nurse. I live in London and from what i know every single registered nurse would start from band 5, and by looking at the nhs band pay scheme it would be approximately £30,000 to about £39,000 (which would then increase if you transfer to band 6 and 7).
I have looked into different career paths for example, speech and language therapy and primary teaching. I even did a work experience at my primary school and enjoyed it. However both of those professions doesnt resonate with me the way nursing does.
Also another thing is i just dont want to make a mistake and look back 20 years from now and say "i shouldve chosen xyz instead of nursing". Thats something im really scared of.
I know nursing is challenging and can make people think if they chosen the right career path or not, but im truly saying that im passionate on becoming a children's nurse. I just wish i would have same mindset 20 years from now :smile:

Current pay scale for NHS England nursing staff. A newly qualified nurse at bottom of band 5 start about £28,407 per year before any deductions increasing up to about £34,581 after two years and then you can apply for promotion to band 6 etc etc over the following years ahead.

Band 5 £28,407 2 £30,639 2 £34,581
Band 6 £35,392 2 £37,350 3 £42,618
Band 7 £43,742 2 £45,996 3 £50,056

A newly qualified nurse in Scotland are paid almost £2000 more than there English staff.
At top of band 7 in Scotland they are earning about £54,000 a year before deductions.
The NHS in all parts of the UK has to still to negotiate pay rise for 2024/25 onwards.
As you'll see NHS Scotland band 7 staff are about £4000 better paid.

I would suggest go ahead with applying for nursing degree as it's not all about the money that nurses are paid it's about the dedication they give to their patients.
You must make your own mind up whether you are wanting to be a nurse and if so then commit yourself in becoming a nurse. Trust me you'll never regret your decision on being a nurse.

I thoroughly enjoy my job as a registered midwife as it is absolutely amazing seeing the joys of the new parents faces after the birth of their new babies.

A NHS Scotland band 7 senior chargenurse midwife.

Reply 3

BraeLynnT

Original post by blind-ranger

Hello, my name is Leyla and im currently in year 12 hoping to apply for children's nursing in october this year. I have a huge passion for nursing ever since i was young. I remember me filling out that in 20 years time i will be a nurse in my year 6 yearbook. I think from mid year 11 is when i was finally doing research into nursing and what specialties would interest me. Ive been watching so many student nurses videos on youtube and tiktok and watched the 'student nurses' series from the channel 'Our stories' and even watched 'Nurses on the ward'. So yeah whenever someone asks me till this day what i want to do later, the answer would always be nursing.
However whenever i tell people that i want to be a nurse, 8/10 would them suggesting that i look into a different career. The reasons they give is all the same with 'underpaid' and 'overworked'. But the thing is i already knew that ages ago and it doesn't make me not want to become a nurse. I live in London and from what i know every single registered nurse would start from band 5, and by looking at the nhs band pay scheme it would be approximately £30,000 to about £39,000 (which would then increase if you transfer to band 6 and 7).
I have looked into different career paths for example, speech and language therapy and primary teaching. I even did a work experience at my primary school and enjoyed it. However both of those professions doesnt resonate with me the way nursing does.
Also another thing is i just dont want to make a mistake and look back 20 years from now and say "i shouldve chosen xyz instead of nursing". Thats something im really scared of.
I know nursing is challenging and can make people think if they chosen the right career path or not, but im truly saying that im passionate on becoming a children's nurse. I just wish i would have same mindset 20 years from now :smile:

do whatever you want to do for the rest of your life. Something that makes you happy, something you will enjoy

Reply 4

paul.barlow08

Original post by Tracey_W

Current pay scale for NHS England nursing staff. A newly qualified nurse at bottom of band 5 start about £28,407 per year before any deductions increasing up to about £34,581 after two years and then you can apply for promotion to band 6 etc etc over the following years ahead.
Band 5 £28,407 2 £30,639 2 £34,581
Band 6 £35,392 2 £37,350 3 £42,618
Band 7 £43,742 2 £45,996 3 £50,056
A newly qualified nurse in Scotland are paid almost £2000 more than there English staff.
At top of band 7 in Scotland they are earning about £54,000 a year before deductions.
The NHS in all parts of the UK has to still to negotiate pay rise for 2024/25 onwards.
As you'll see NHS Scotland band 7 staff are about £4000 better paid.
I would suggest go ahead with applying for nursing degree as it's not all about the money that nurses are paid it's about the dedication they give to their patients.
You must make your own mind up whether you are wanting to be a nurse and if so then commit yourself in becoming a nurse. Trust me you'll never regret your decision on being a nurse.
I thoroughly enjoy my job as a registered midwife as it is absolutely amazing seeing the joys of the new parents faces after the birth of their new babies.
A NHS Scotland band 7 senior chargenurse midwife.

scotland does pay more and even more if you get distant island allowance but we do pay more in taxes.

Reply 5

Tracey_W

Original post by paul.barlow08

scotland does pay more and even more if you get distant island allowance but we do pay more in taxes.

Yeah maybe we get taxed bit more than elsewhere but at least we have the best pay for NHS anywhere in the UK.

I know about paying loads more than I would like to but as long as the money getting spent properly then not worried 😟 😟

Reply 6

MissTeee

Original post by blind-ranger

Hello, my name is Leyla and im currently in year 12 hoping to apply for children's nursing in october this year. I have a huge passion for nursing ever since i was young. I remember me filling out that in 20 years time i will be a nurse in my year 6 yearbook. I think from mid year 11 is when i was finally doing research into nursing and what specialties would interest me. Ive been watching so many student nurses videos on youtube and tiktok and watched the 'student nurses' series from the channel 'Our stories' and even watched 'Nurses on the ward'. So yeah whenever someone asks me till this day what i want to do later, the answer would always be nursing.
However whenever i tell people that i want to be a nurse, 8/10 would them suggesting that i look into a different career. The reasons they give is all the same with 'underpaid' and 'overworked'. But the thing is i already knew that ages ago and it doesn't make me not want to become a nurse. I live in London and from what i know every single registered nurse would start from band 5, and by looking at the nhs band pay scheme it would be approximately £30,000 to about £39,000 (which would then increase if you transfer to band 6 and 7).
I have looked into different career paths for example, speech and language therapy and primary teaching. I even did a work experience at my primary school and enjoyed it. However both of those professions doesnt resonate with me the way nursing does.
Also another thing is i just dont want to make a mistake and look back 20 years from now and say "i shouldve chosen xyz instead of nursing". Thats something im really scared of.
I know nursing is challenging and can make people think if they chosen the right career path or not, but im truly saying that im passionate on becoming a children's nurse. I just wish i would have same mindset 20 years from now :smile:

I was a primary teacher for twenty years. If you want to know what long hours look like, give that a go. A nursing week is approximately half what I was working. When I was teaching, I had PGCE students who had quit nursing to teach. Every single one returned to nursing because of the reality of the teaching workload.
Nursing is really hard, underpaid and emotionally draining; I realise that, but you do get rest days. I would often work eight straight weeks without a day off as a teacher. And despite what people often think mistakenly about long school holidays, teachers don’t get any more time off than other people. The holidays are just all the weekends teachers have worked in term time, given back in a lump. You can’t take any time off outside of school term dates and flights and holidays are really expensive then.
If you have a gut feeling you want to be a nurse, go for it. I’m starting an Adult Nursing degree in September and am really excited to pursue a new direction.
Life is short.
Best of luck!

Reply 7

RoseroseMack4y

Nursing is a tough job, no doubt about it. But you won't know unless you try! If you start it and you hate it, there's no reason you can't restart a different course. Or you could even finish the nursing course and then do a masters in something else (eg- a PGCE or a pre-reg physio, midwifery, occupational therapy course, etc). Then you can always go back to nursing again at a later date. Either way, go for it!