to hope that 48 isn't too old to retrain into a different career?

[cattypussclaw]

That's it, really. Been a SAHM for nine years and want to return to work (don't need to, want to) but not into the same job before. I really want to get into nursing. Any training will be self-funded, no state help expected. Is 48 too late? Any thoughts?

I recently read about a 53 year old who retrained and started a new career in music.

When I did PGCE there were lots of career changers, many of whom were 40s and 50s.

Can't say whether this would be possible in nursing as I know nothing of it. Can you get in touch with the unis or colleges that train nurses and ask them? Can you get in touch with HR depts of GPs and hospitals and ask them?

Good luck!!

My brother is a similar age and recently did a PGCE, he loves it.

I'm a (mental health) nurse, I think mature students are usually welcomed into the career as they normally have an abundance of life experience to bring to the job.

So you'd be 51, 52 when qualified.

On one hand you could have 15, 16 years of working life infront of you.

On the other it's hard, physical, tiring work. Nights, weekends, etc. but if you can cope with that for the next 15 years then go for it.

Brilliant thanks, was dreading "no chance" answers!

Mental health nursing would be where I'd like to be eventually, but guess I need to do general nursing first.

Thank you.

I don't think it's too late to do the training. That in itself will probably be interesting and rewarding. I know nothing about nursing but I think that in my profession you would find it very difficult indeed to get your first job at 50+

Not worried about physical work, prefer that to paper-pushing at a desk again. Can't go back to doing that.

Thanks for the replies.

But I thought we desperately needed nurses, Marphe?

I was that age when I began two different new careers after leaving teaching.

Good luck.

I would have liked to re train as a midwife. But I'm a sahm, 42 already and have pnd so I don't think it will ever happen for me

I think it sounds positive for you though OP!

My mum's last child went to school when my mum was 47 and she started a MH nursing degree the same week. She wasn't the oldest on her course. She recently retired but did it for 12 years. She really enjoyed it. The nights did become too much for her in the end but so what? You can't just write yourself off until retirement age.

I'd go for it. Good luck.

You most likely have 25 working years left. I say go for it.

I've struggled through PND, Smile, which is why I'm drawn to MH nursing. That and the fact that I grew up wanting to be a nurse but was talked out of it by just about everybody. The job I did before my daughter was private sector paperwork, all my hard work just went towards the CEO's bonus. Don't want to do that again. I want to do something useful!

Not too late at all, but I believe new entrants into nursing need a degree these days. If you don't have the necessary qualifications yet, maybe an Access course would be a good start.

There were plenty of people your age in my cohort when I did my nurse training 3 years ago. And you can train as a MH nurse directly, no need to do general nursing first. Good luck!

Thank you for your positive messages!

Not too old, OP. Plus I was chatting to a MH nurse recently (in a social capacity, though heaven knows I wouldn't have minded a free consult!). She told me she was 65, had retired but missed it so much she'd gone back part time.

Wishing you a long and rewarding career

Like I said OP, I know nothing about nursing, was just relating it to my own industry.

Can you take advice from the college?

My cousin retrained as a solicitor after 15 years of being a SAHM - she started at 43 I think, and ended up as a partner in a rural practice before she retired....I hope it's not too late; I'm 42 this year and want to go in a different direction. Just not sure which one yet .

Also, my brother retrained as a doctor after doing 5 years in a Big 5 accountancy firm - he said that there were several in their 40s on his course. (Although he did go to Peninsula which specialises (I believe) in career changers......).

Didn't know I could train straight into MH nursing, thank you.

No, that's the problem, I don't have a degree. Don't even have A levels, just a BTEC. So I'm not sure where to start. And not sure who to ask to find out. Might try the local hospital or colleges, as suggested above.

I would and did (now 47 and on my last (unless I change my mind) two years).

Changed from one profession because I didn't want to do the sort of work I can find locally to another. It has sort of mushroomed though and I have found a field that allows me to use bits of my previous experience.

I gave work up recently for full time study as I really struggle for childcare in the school holidays.

I should be completely finished by the time I am 49 and reckon I will work until I am late 60s in some capacity so almost 20 years work to be had.

Do it, you could do something you really enjoy for a long time.

My mil is training to be a nurse, she's 54 will be 55 when she qualifies. Go for it and enjoy studying again!
I'm planning on training to be a nurse next year.
I was initially drawn to mh nursing, I've had a few bouts of depression and wanted to ' give something back' . It's a tough sector, I took on a job as a support worker to get a feel of what its like and I'm glad I did cos I now know that its not for me, but there were a lot of positives to the job too, it was just a bit scary at times.
Good luck!

I started a mh nursing degree years ago, and the oldest student was in his 50s. You won't need a levels, but might need to do an access course. Find out which unis do the course, then ask them directly what they would accept, as they are often quite flexible about entrance requirements for mature students.
Good luck!

If you don't have a levels then you will need to compete an access to nursing course (I'm doing one this September)
You will also need relevant work experience to look good on your ucas application. You can do bank shifts, they're good cos you can then work in a variety of hospital settings.

You can do mental health nursing as a degree but then you'll only be a mental health nurse. If you then wanted to work in another sector you wouldn't be able to. If you train as an adult nurse you can do a conversion course to mh which takes 18 months (also works for pediatrics, not sure about midwifery)

I loved the rehabilitation side of the job I did but as I was in forensic mental health it was more like a prision than a hospital and I was often involved in some very scary situationn and people seldom got better
I am now planning on doing adult nursing and maybe working with children once I'm qualified

I have been to lots of uni open days lately and there are always lots of mature students on the health courses. One lady i spoke to was 54 when she started and there were lots in their 40s with grown up kids. Def not too late at all. Go for it.