Am I ridiculous for thinking of going to Uni at 38?

[overthinkersanonnymus]

Please can I have some words of wisdom and advice on whether I am indeed crazy for thinking about this.

I want to be a midwife. I am fascinated by all things birth related. From conception, foetal development, birth and postnatal care.

My problem is I have no real qualifications that would allow me in to uni to study. I'd have to do an access to higher education course and I'm not very academic!! I also don't really know how to navigate the whole university world.

I'm currently in a finance role and i don't like it. It's boring, the money isn't that good and I feel like my life is just drudgery at the moment.

What would be a reasonable cut off age retrain? I was half thinking of working in finance a few more years, pay a massive chunk off my mortgage snd then maybe relook at it. But I could be well in to my 40s by then.

Help!

Look up Access to Higher Education courses at your local college. Some offer specific Access to Health courses but what's important is that any access course will enable you to apply to university. It will also teach you those academic skills you need such as essay writing and referencing as well as the practicalities of applying to university. Lots of colleges offer them in the evening so you can still work. There are also some online providers but a lot of people prefer the face to face college courses.

Go for it. A neighbour of mine did an access course to be a midwife a few years ago. We bump into each other the odd morning heading to work. She is always so happy heading off to work.

When I was in Uni there was a lady in my course who was in her 80s. She was brilliant. Loved her!

This is the course offered by my nearest college. Look for something similar in your area.
https://www.bmet.ac.uk/our-courses/courses-for-19/access-to-higher-education/

be brave @overthinkersanonnymus change your life!

Wishing you all the very best

https://www.midwifecareer.com/am-i-too-old-to-train-as-a-midwife/#:

I did this. I did an access course in the evenings. Most of which was assessed coursework. there were also tutors to help with academic writing and learning support.

I started uni at 37, qualified as a midwife at 40. There was a lady in my cohort who was 55.

Please make the enquiries and if it’s your passion, go for it.

Thank you so much for all the support and information!

Arrrrgh I think I'm going to do it....

Oh and the infertility thing, I don't begrudge anyone having a baby. It really is an everyday miracle that babies are even created and I just love the science of it all.

Go for it. You are never to old to learn and if you have a passion for it that is more than half the battle. Put some feelers out to admissions officers at various Unis, explain your circumstances and ask their advice on your best route. They will be happy to help. Good luck!

I'm thinking about going back to education...at 47!

My cousin has just finished his Masters in social work at 62. 🧑🏻‍🎓

I started my nurse training at age 40. I wasn’t the oldest in my year by a long shot. It’s the best thing I ever did. Go for it @overthinkersanonnymus .,

The access course will prepare you for the demands of university life, e.g. referencing and writing academic style essays.

Beyond the requirement that you demonstrate your understanding of theory related to the field of midwifery through the submission of written assignments, what you need flit be able to truly succeed are skills based, which you’ll learn on your placements.

Go for it - it’s never too late!

Absolutely not. You do it if you want to. One of my Great Aunts did it in her 70s and had a letter from Harold Wilson congratulating her.

I’ve met many mature students your age and older that have become student nurses and other professions, many on a pathway to access courses etc too.

I would really look at the practicality of working in healthcare,it’s hard, it’s initially long shift work on very busy units.Often short staffed etc. Stressful. Student placements included. I’ve seen many students drop out as it’s not what they thought it would be. I’m not trying to put you off but just be aware of the real life aspects and check it’s a match for your passion 🙂

If you love the science background of it there could be many other options too. Maybe have a browse of careers too like a pp poster said.

Good luck!

Never too old.

OP, you only regret the things you don't do, not the things you try. Worst case scenario, it isn't for you and you leave the course, no harm done. Best case, it's everything you dream and more.

I am 36 and have a place to begin midwifery at uni next September. I obtained my original degree at 21, teaching PGCE at 22 and taught for over 10 years.

I started HCP training on my 38th birthday. Definitely not too late especially as there is no state pension until late 60’s.
For midwifery you will probably be expected to have some experience working shifts in a general hospital as an HCA. This is not well paid.
I believe it is all degree level now so definitely need an access course or similar.
For vocational courses you are either in uni full time or on the wards full time plus independent study so finances are tricky for many.
See if your local training provider holds open days where you can find out about entry criteria and the course in general.
You might get a bursary but you’ll need a student loan for the fees.

Do it! I’ve just finished a post grad diploma which I began at 40.

I knew of 2 women who retrained as midwives at a similar age to you. They both had kids of primary school / secondary school age at the time. It was a full on course - 38 hours a week.

I don't know how academically demanding the course is so can't say anything about that side of things.

Go for it your 38, and probably got a good 30 working years in front of you with retirement being 66 at the moment due to creep up by the time you get there.

Absolutely not! You’re a spring chicken!

Academic essays are a walk in the park compared to finance regs (I left a job I'm banking compliance to do my undergraduate degree in an unrelated field). It took me a while to work out how to 'switch' my writing style bur I don't regret a moment of it.
Feel free to PM me re essays, referencing, etc.

Do it! I got my degree part time whilst raising my DS and working full time and I loved every second of it. You are still young and you could have an amazing career.

Either an access course and then a degree or a degree apprenticeship? I'm sure you'll be amazing!

As for essays once you know stuff an essay is just introduction (tell them what you are going to tell them), middle (tell them) and conclusion (tell them what you told them). You can do it!

Thank you all so much for the support.

I'm going to spend the next few days fully researching and making a plan.

I'm nervous!!

I work in a university academic skills team. There will be lots of academic writing support available including workshops and one to one support and most universities have dedicated academic skills webpages with lots of self help resources. Another poster said to read academic journals but I wouldn't advise this. You need to start with some basic nursing/midwifery textbooks first to introduce you to the main topics, concepts and theories. Journals are research based and more advanced.

As for midwifery I think there aren't many places and it can be competitive to get on to a course. Might be best to alo consider alternative career paths too.

If it helps I am 53 and doing an apprenticeship, so at uni 1 day a week, I also had no experience of essays, referencing ect, but I am doing social work and the first semester was something called study skills which is a module all about essay writing, referencing, time management ect, some of our modules are actually for nursing but tailored to social work.

I would say go for it you only live once.😃

@Tink51971 what are you training to do?