To think I'm not too old?

[EncantoDaisies]

Hi all,

In 2021 I was half way through my second year of a psychology degree but had to stop due to my dad falling ill and sadly passing away.

I've done a compelling reasons statement and I'm hoping they'll let me go back and re do year 2 and then finish my third year (can't see why they wouldn't).

But then when I've finished this degree I want to do a second degree for registered nurse in mental health which is another three years and then do a registered nurse masters which is another two years so that's seven years of study and when I finish I'll be 35.

Part of me thinks I'm gonna be 35 anyway so might as well be a registered nurse but then another part of me is thinking it's too old and I'm being unrealistic and a bit pathetic to not already have an established career so I was wondering what other people thought?

Thank you for reading.

You’ll still have thirty years of working? Not too old at all.

As you said you are going to be 35 anyway. Be the 35 you want to be! No need to settle for second best. It’s fine, do it. Good luck.

If you need funding/student loans then check to see if they will fund you for two degrees and then a masters. If not, ditch the psychology and go straight for the nursing degree.

Absolutely do it!

This

I think it’s a great idea! The world desperately needs RNs.

If you’re really concerned about establishing a career earlier (and earning a wage), I wonder if there are ways to qualify while working? Where I live in Canada, there are two routes to RN - the academic route, as you describe, or the RPN route (working as a Registered Practical Nurse, sort of like a “junior nurse”, for a few years after which you can apply to be an RN).

My friend’s DD has a psychology masters (her first degree is unrelated) and has now decided she wants to do mental health nursing so has applied for a two year masters in that. At which point she will be a qualified MH nurse. Do you actually need to do both courses?

of course it’s not unreasonable but possibly there is an easier route?

Oh thank you for this! I've just had a look and the masters says you're eligible with any degree as long as you get a 2:2 so I might not have to do the second degree after all - when I go back I'll speak to my tutor about it

It's irrelevant really whether you should be in an established career already or not, if you're not, you're not 💁🏻‍♀️ (And no, it's not pathetic!!)

Hopefully you've just found a quicker route to get there!!

you sound motivated and determined! Go for it, 35 (and possibly now a couple of years younger) is really no age. It seems like it at the time, but it's really not!!

Two questions though - are you supporting yourself through this or is someone supporting you (financially) because then they deserve a say in it too. Secondly, children, if you want them, have you factored this into your timing/planning?

I've got two children already and I work part time but my husband does support us but he's very supportive and happy for me to go back :)

Luckily at least for the next two years my course is only one day a week (although classed as full time) so does allow for some flexibility.

That's even better then!! 😊

I meant to say, I was very sorry to hear about your Dad xx. Losing my Dad put me into a real tail spin & I didn't get my act together for a long time, allowing it to completely derail me really screwed up my life plans. I'm glad you haven't done that!! I'm sure he'd be proud of you xx

I went back to uni at 39 to retrain as an occupational therapist.

So sorry about the loss of your Dad xx

I'm planning on starting a new degree next year (I'll be 50-uhummmmm) as I'm doing a one year course from this September.

As long as the brain and body hold up, why not?

Did my masters in my 30s - got so much more out of it than if I had done it when I was younger. Go for it!