Uni or work

Hi! So, I’m currently deciding what to do. I’ve been accepted to 3 universities for children’s nursing next year, and while I’m thrilled, I’m not sure I want to go. My first choice uni is Wrexham, and I plan to take the NHS bursary to fund my studies.

The downside is that if I do it, I have to work in Wales for 2 years after graduation, and I’m not even sure if I want to be a nurse. My other option is nannying. A nannying job that I could apply to straight out of college with no other qualifications would pay me £42k a year starting and cap at 50k, when nursing starting salary only pays £30k and caps at 37k for staff nurses.

I’m just struggling cause if I go into nursing and hate it, I’m stuck there for 2 years and it’s not a job you can do just for money

Reply 1

MrDavies

Original post

by Jayden_Ish

Hi! So, I’m currently deciding what to do. I’ve been accepted to 3 universities for children’s nursing next year, and while I’m thrilled, I’m not sure I want to go. My first choice uni is Wrexham, and I plan to take the NHS bursary to fund my studies.
The downside is that if I do it, I have to work in Wales for 2 years after graduation, and I’m not even sure if I want to be a nurse. My other option is nannying. A nannying job that I could apply to straight out of college with no other qualifications would pay me £42k a year starting and cap at 50k, when nursing starting salary only pays £30k and caps at 37k for staff nurses.
I’m just struggling cause if I go into nursing and hate it, I’m stuck there for 2 years and it’s not a job you can do just for money

Which would you prefer nursing or being a Nanny? Which job will give you job security?

Reply 2

username7680514

Original post

by MrDavies

Which would you prefer nursing or being a Nanny? Which job will give you job security?

Well I was thinking that if I went into nannying, I’d do it for 5 years and then do my masters in play therapy. The BAPT have a condition where even if I don’t have a bachelors degree but have 5 years experience working with children, I can do the masters in play therapy, so even if nannying went down, I could do play therapy.

Honestly I’m leaning more towards nannying. The shifts are typically 12 hours anyway like nursing, and there’s more to do in it imo, cause it’s childcare, cooking, cleaning, etc.

Reply 3

MrDavies

Original post

by Jayden_Ish

Well I was thinking that if I went into nannying, I’d do it for 5 years and then do my masters in play therapy. The BAPT have a condition where even if I don’t have a bachelors degree but have 5 years experience working with children, I can do the masters in play therapy, so even if nannying went down, I could do play therapy.
Honestly I’m leaning more towards nannying. The shifts are typically 12 hours anyway like nursing, and there’s more to do in it imo, cause it’s childcare, cooking, cleaning, etc.

Sounds like you've made your choice

Reply 4

artful_lounger

Universities Forum Helper

Original post

by Jayden_Ish

Remember that choosing to do nannying now doesn't rule out doing a nursing degree later anyway :smile:

You aren't choosing what to do forever - you're choosing what to do for now, and whether that ends up being forever or not remains for you to find out :biggrin:

Reply 5

ErasistratusV

I know people who made a significant career out of looking after children as their vocation. If you find the right (wealthy) family, you can earn a great deal of money and live almost like a king.

Reply 6

Kingston Trenyce

Official Rep

Original post

by Jayden_Ish

Hi! So, I’m currently deciding what to do. I’ve been accepted to 3 universities for children’s nursing next year, and while I’m thrilled, I’m not sure I want to go. My first choice uni is Wrexham, and I plan to take the NHS bursary to fund my studies.
The downside is that if I do it, I have to work in Wales for 2 years after graduation, and I’m not even sure if I want to be a nurse. My other option is nannying. A nannying job that I could apply to straight out of college with no other qualifications would pay me £42k a year starting and cap at 50k, when nursing starting salary only pays £30k and caps at 37k for staff nurses.
I’m just struggling cause if I go into nursing and hate it, I’m stuck there for 2 years and it’s not a job you can do just for money

Hey, I'd say it's completely valid to pause here because this a big, identity-shaping decision, not just a course choice: nursing requires emotional labour, long hours and a genuine commitment to care, so if heart isn't in it, the two year Wales commitment could feel restrictive, where as nannying offers immediate financial independence, flexibility and space to figure out what you actually want to do next. University and nursing will always be an option if you decide later that healthcare truly aligns with you values.

Trenyce (Kingston rep)

Reply 7

Wired_1800

Original post

by Jayden_Ish

Hi! So, I’m currently deciding what to do. I’ve been accepted to 3 universities for children’s nursing next year, and while I’m thrilled, I’m not sure I want to go. My first choice uni is Wrexham, and I plan to take the NHS bursary to fund my studies.
The downside is that if I do it, I have to work in Wales for 2 years after graduation, and I’m not even sure if I want to be a nurse. My other option is nannying. A nannying job that I could apply to straight out of college with no other qualifications would pay me £42k a year starting and cap at 50k, when nursing starting salary only pays £30k and caps at 37k for staff nurses.
I’m just struggling cause if I go into nursing and hate it, I’m stuck there for 2 years and it’s not a job you can do just for money

If you can, please go to uni. You do not have to attend Wrexham and be stuck there for 2 years, you should consider your other uni options.

If nursing does not work out for you, you can still consider nannying. You would be an 18/19 year old at uni once in your life with freshers, meeting new people etc.

Please dont waste it. Good luck.