Am I Too Old?

[IrregularChoiceFan]

I am thinking about taking an access course and applying to university to become a Midwife. I am 33 currently but would be 34 by the time I actually started uni as I would need to take the access course first.

This would make me 37 by the time I qualify to work, am I too old? Feeling a bit now or never about it all. I wish I had just done it when I was 18 but life just got in the way.

Many congratulations, that’s so exciting!

I went to uni (for the first time) as a mature student and qualified in my 30s. You have plenty of time left, I hope you have a wonderful experience. Wishing you lots of luck with it all.

(My one piece of advice would to be as organised as possible and stay on top of deadlines. I struggled as had two children (both SEN) and lots going on. It didn’t take long for work to build up)

Thank you everyone! And thank you for the advice!

I would have thought midwifery was one of those professions where the 'clients' would probably prefer their service provider NOT to look fresh out of school/uni.

Definately not too old considering you can do it for 30 years!

I was 35 when I started nurse training. You are not too old by any stretch.

I’m 49 and in the first year of a nursing degree. There are at least 12 other people on the course who are over the age of 40.

Congratulations!

Get in!!! Well done!

Hi op, congratulations!! How amazing.

i came on to tell you about my friend who recently started her second degree at the age of 49 in nursing. She figured she’s got almost 20 years of work ahead of her so may aswell do something she’s always wanted to and will enjoy. She not even the oldest on her course.

good luck 😊

That’s fantastic! Congratulations

My daughter has just started her midwifery training. She is 35 with 3 small children - and a single parent!! I think you'll be ok.

Definitely not too old. Go for it and hope it all works out.

Absolutely not. One of my close friends did an access course when she was 30 (she did an evening course) and has been working as a midwife since then (she's early 40s)

I was 43 when I did my social work degree, you go for it. Its hard, but really worthwhile.

I did an access course last year at 35 and am now in my first year of uni at 36. I'll be completing my qualifications for the career I want at 40-42. Which I feel is absolutely worthwhile and everyone I've spoken to from tutors to work experience and networking contacts feel that it's certainly not too old to start. Go for it!!

I will be mid 50's when I qualify. You are not too old 😘

Congratulations 🎊

Fantastic news! 😘

Congratulations! I decided to retrain as a midwife at 37. I’m now in my final year and will qualify just after turning 41. I had the same concerns as you but half my cohort are mature students, with quite a few older than me. Good luck!

Congratulations OP!

Can I ask how people afford to do this? I have wanted to retrain as a midwife but can't give up my full time job to study full time (and I have two very young children but that's another matter!)

Just wondering how people afford it!

No, not at all, go for it!

I had a work colleague in her 40s leave to do nursing. She must actually be qualified by now.

Congratulations OP, all the very best with your studies and placements!

I set myself up by buying a shared ownership house with low rent, and took the full student loan, plus low income grants and bursaries, plus had 85% of my childcare paid for, and was topped up by universal credit too. I actually had more money as a student on benefits and loans than I do now as a band 5 qualified professional. I was on universal credit with an income of under 12k a year to start with before uni so made no difference to me really as I just had the same via loans instead. Now I get the pleasure of paying it back.

My friend is currently doing the access course. She's 42 and not the oldest in her cohort.