AIBU to make such a big change in my 40s?

[ShouldICouldI]

I am married with 2 DC, one grown, early 20s, other 10yo. Currently run a very small business, have done for 15 years, brings in an ok income for the hours I do, and fits really well around youngest child. Before that I worked for over a decade in financial services, admin roles, up to management when I left.

I have always done jobs that fit in with family life, never anything I have really wanted to do, but have happily worked and progressed most of the time. But.... now I would like to have a complete change and go to uni to get a degree leading to a career in one of the healthcare professions. I would be 47 by the time I graduated.

I have wanted to do this a result of learning what I think are my strengths, needing to do a job which benefits other people, and a challenge for me to achieve something other than just a job and raising children.

But DH works really hard in a stressful job and hates it. He is slightly older and is looking more towards early retirement than me starting a new career, so isn't as keen as me obviously.

I feel like I am being very selfish, and it would be easy to just carry on as I am and forget it. Money isn't really the issue, but impact on family and home would be. I could carry on my business around study initially.

Is this a really stupid idea at my age?

Ok, I'm a radiology manager ... Hence my comments 🙂,the staff in their 50s are proper tired .

I'm retraining at 42 and having the time of my life. I am so glad I did it. It's hard work though but I do get to see more of the kids than I did when I was working.

Don't underestimate the amount of time the course will take up - especially on placement. I've just finished 6 weeks of 70hr weeks and the paid job has been left to fend for itself for the last 3 weeks so I'm playing catch up in half term! You're welcome to pm me.