My mind is being torn 2 ways

[widdly]

I am feeling confused and stressed about which choice to make regarding my career.

I enrolled externally in Certificate 3 in Childrens Services in August last year. So far I have only managed to complete 3 modules due to the cost of them. I had a job interview yesterday at a childcare centre for a casual job, the interview went as well as it could, but the director is strange so who knows, I'll hear back from them next week. If I get the job, they will be able to pay for my Diploma and Bachelor which would be great, tho Im not so sure that I want to look after other peoples children all day....

I have also just been offered a place at Uni for Foundation Studies. I did start this course in 2009 when Arch was 2, but he hated childcare and I had just become a single mother and I decided to wait til Arch started kindy before I studied again. If I accept the uni offer I will do the course this year then start Bachelor of Nursing next year. This means in the end I will have a decent paying career, and Centrelink will pay me PPS til my degree is finished. I sorta feel like if I dont go to Uni now, I never will.

So I guess atm Im thinking that if I get this childcare job I should take it, its an opportunity to start a career and I will end up with my Bachelor eventually.

BUT, if I dont get the job, Im thinking I'll stop studying my Cert 3 and go to Uni and go down the nursing path. This just means it'll be a little longer wil I am part of the workforce again.

So, what do you all think?

[Traveller]

I think it depends on what you see yourself doing long term. If you have doubts about being in childcare for the longterm and really yearn to be a nurse then that should be the path you take, although it will take longer. If you are not bothered either way then take the easy option of the job and training.

[LimeSlice]

Which are you passionate about?

Both require it for longevity.
If you don't want to be looking after kids, I don't want you in that room looking after mine, itms. And if you don't have the passion for nursing, you will never make it through, let alone through the first few years on the job.

So I think you should follow the path for which you have the passion.

Careerwise/moneywise/security wise, I think nursing is your best bet.

Good luck! And congrats on being accepted to uni!

[widdly]

Thanks guys Especially Lime, I agree I wouldnt want some one who isnt passoinate looking after Archie at childcare either.

I just had a phone call from the childcare headquarters asking me about one of my referees, turns out he has a new phone number, so I gave the new number to them. I kinda feel like I might reject the job if they offer it to me, and I feel awful about that. This is the story of my life never being able to make a decision and stick to it!

I guess my hugest passion is midwifery, the births, pre natal and post natal care. I think Nursing would be challenging for me and that challenge would keep me interested, whereas childcare is just the thing that I 'know' so I feel like its the easy option.

hmmmm, this is helping me sort through my thoughts....

[widdly]

Well, I got the childcare job and Im thrilled! Think I was trying to talk myself out of wanting it to prevent disappointment if I were unsuccessful. I start in a weeks time and look forward to meeting the children and learning about them.

Midwifery is still a passion of mine, but Im gonna make the most of this opportunity and get my bachelor in early childhood education and go from there. In many years time if I feel like a career change I'll go down the midwifery road. But for now Im in education and very excited about it. Thanks for your input x

[LimeSlice]

Congratulations!!

Glad you found you really did want it after all, I hope you have an awesome time!

[Traveller]

So glad you were able to decide, and from the sounds of it you have made a good choice. Congratulations on the job

[widdly]

awe, thanks so much guys x