Hello everyone, a quick question about free time

**Newt** · 26-06-2012, 12:21 AM

I know its an odd question but it's an important one for my situation.
I am a staff nurse working in theatres and day surgery, I qualified in 2010 with a 1st and before nursing completed a yr0 in biology, in which we covered maths, chemistry, statistics, life sciences and biology to A level standards. I have my cert for this somewhere (will have to dig it out).
I have booked to sit the UKCAT and I am planning to apply for Cardiff.
I have always wanted to go into medicine but talked myself out of it before returing to ed, I didnt do so well at school (had no interest) and was so unsure of how I would do that I was afraid to apply.
I now know that if I organise my time well and work hard I can do it (got my 1.1 while raising a baby and going through an autism assessment on him)
When doing the nursing degree we would be in mon-fri 9-5 for 6 wks then out on placement for 6wks where we would work shifts, 12hrs/9hrs/nights/weekends that sort of thing.
I now have a new daughter who would be 2 by next september, and my son will be 5.
My only concern is how much time I will be sacrificing away from them (I am prepared for this, just wanted to know how much) Got a guilty worry mummy thing going on

What do you guys think my chances are? How much does training affect time spent at home? I am 35 now so will be 36 next year - just thought I would throw that into the mix. lol

**Newt** · 03-07-2012, 05:00 PM

well, I have had a given myself a good old talking to and decided to go for it. Lets be fair, there will still be time for sunday evening bathtime fun surely. Thinking about it now, so long as the time I spend with my little ones is quality play time then they really dont miss out, and if some med students find time to socialise and have hobbies, then there is no reason why I shouldnt find time for my babies.

**impatient** · 03-07-2012, 05:33 PM

get stuck in and have a go! cardiff are mature friendly.... plus we have single parents and married parents on our course and theyre doing fine. Will you sacrifice time with your kids to study of course you will, but you probably do at the moment anyway for other reasons. 36 isnt to old, the oldest on our course is 43..... There's plenty of time on the course to do other things including seeing your children!

**mikku** · 04-07-2012, 09:58 PM

i say go for it. if you really want to do medicine, you'll find time. even if you do small bits every day, it all adds up. as ou have a science background already this should be much easier for you. have you considered doing a gamsat course perhaps?

**Newt** · 05-07-2012, 03:42 AM

Than you guys, your encouragement means a lot. I am going to book to sit the gamsat, printed out some past papers tonight to look at so I can get a general idea of what to revise. To be honest I was not aware of any courses available. Already started digging out my old science notes. Starting to get that excited study feeling again