although technically a mature student when I began my nursing degree (I graduate this summer) I speak more from others experience than my own, as I never had a very well paying job before so studnet life was fairly bearable!
First, do a diploma, not a degree. (my friend whos with me disagres!) I say do a diploma because you get paid while you do it, it's so much easier academically, and trust me, when you're working full time for no money, travelling to whatever placement they decide to send you on (diploma students stay in one hospital) you don't want to be writing 10 000 word dissertations on your days off! Afterwards, if you want to upgrade you can do so part time... and get paid at the same time. Diploma students have way more money, whereas on a degree you'd have to pay it back. Also diploma students, and some nurses, really don't like degree students.
Jo disagrees. she says that you can use your degree for any job, even if you decide not to nurse, you do less placement hours, and have more flexibility on the degree, we only have to do 3 weekends in the 3 years, diploma students do one a month. You're more likely to get a job, all other things being equal, some nice hospitals (such as Christies in Manchester) prefer degree students.
If you do a degree (eg. in manchester) the first year is combined in all nursing branches. jo wanted to do mental health nursing, until she had her first placement, so she switched to adult, no problem.
I suggest you try to join a nursing bank at your local hospital to get some idea of what it's all about... maybe your boss will give you a career break?
hope it all goes well,
God bless you-x-