Please can you tell me about your achievements later in life?

[CuriousLadyBird]

Hi all,

I'm having a weird crisis and I'm annoyed at myself when I should be overjoyed.

I've been accepted onto a registered mental health nursing course which is an amazing opportunity and I'm so grateful but I can't help thinking I'm too old which is ridiculous.

I'm 28 and a mum of 2. I feel behind my peers because I couldn't go to university when my friends did as my dad was elderly and my mum is autistic/learning difficulties so I've been working since I was 17. I've worked retail, call centre, admin etc all at NMW and there's nothing wrong with that but I've always wanted to work within the healthcare sector.

Once I was out of the house I did apply to university but then covid hit and I got pregnant, then my dad died, my mum needed a lot more care, I got MH issues and somehow another baby appeared so It had to take a bit of a backseat and it feels like years have passed me by and I'm in a similar position.

I just keep thinking oh I'll be 32 when I qualify, what's the point etc but I know that's like silly thoughts because I'm gonna be 32 anyway so I might as well be a 32 year old nurse but the thoughts just won't leave.

So please can people kindly share their achievements that were a little bit later on and how it feels, how it's going etc just for a bit of encouragement.

Thank you

32 is no age, life experience will serve you well in mental health nursing. You won’t get your pension until 67 so you’ve loads of time.

I trained at 23, qualified at 26 as an RMN. I spent 17 years as a band 5 nurse with my dses and flexible working pattern taking priority. I’m now a Ward Manager at band 7 and although I hate it most of the time, I am proud of my achievements and do enjoy aspects of my job. I’m 49 now.

I'm retraining as a counsellor and I'm 52 doing a PG diploma. I'll be 53/4 when I'm finished and I don't think that's too old.

I know a lovely girl, one of my friend's daughters, she had her son at 19, looked after him for a couple of years then did access to nursing college course, then got onto the nursing degree and qualified this year at the age of 29. She's now a staff nurse on a geriatric ward and loving it!

You're never too old!

I’ve just completed my doctorate at 52. You’re only just getting started on your adventures 🙂

Haha! 32 ‘later in life’. In my 40s I learned a musical instrument. In my 50s an ancient language. In my 60s a modern language. Not decided on what to do in my 70s yet. Don’t be hampered by meaningless milestones. Go for it! A bit of maturity can only be an advantage in nursing.

Training to be a dyslexia specialist teacher. I'm half way through, will be 48 when I qualify. Feel like it's been one of the best things I have ever done.

Go for it OP, learning is good for the brain at any age.

Good luck with your course. Often in life (she said wisely) you start off towards a destination but you never know where it will take you or the opportunities it will give you.

I graduated at 40!

In my 50s I went self-employed.

You have so many years to have an impact with your qualification, and I bet you'll do better for having some life experiences behind you. Good luck.

When I did my nurse training there were 4 who were over 40 by the time we qualified. That was a class of about 26. The oldest students did the best and were the most committed. The 18 yearolds were clubbing 'till 3 and up at 6 for early shifts 😳

Think of the advantages in not needing to interrupt your career progression with maternity leave or needing to fit around Nursery times.

I’m almost 33 and just starting studying for a career change. Like I have my first exam next week just started haha! I’m in a similar position also and have a 13m old and I’m 2ish weeks away from giving birth to our second so definitely alot tougher than when I was studying (drinking) in my early 20s. It’ll be harder with the extra responsibilities for sure but it can deffo be done and you are definitely not too old ♥️

I did my midwifery training as a single mum of 3, i qualified a few years ago aged 36. I found the final year of training very stressful juggling everything but i graduated with a first class degree in the end, which i'm very proud of. And it is so so worth it. I've found where i fit, i enjoy my job and work with an amazing team. I earn more than I have ever done previously. Since qualifying i've been able to get a motgage and take my kids abroad on holiday.
You are definitely not too old! There will be a mix of ages on the degree, and the NHS workforce is very diverse.

I never went to Uni when I left school. My abusive mother did a good job at making me feel I was too stupid for Uni.

After years of therapy I celebrated my emotional freedom by enrolling in university to do a BSc in Nutritional Science at 36. I went in to do a Masters in Human Nutrition and at 43 I’m about to start my doctorate.

There was a woman in my masters program who as 65 at graduation!

I started my MH nursing training at age 29 with 3 young children and major trauma behind me. It enabled me to have a reasonable lifestyle and I know I’ve saved or changed many lives. Now in my late 50s I am a Psychotherapist thinking about starting a private practice whilst working in the NHS for 25 yrs and planning to do so for a few yrs yet. Best thing I ever did. Your fears re age are unfounded x

I was 31 when I first went to uni and 51 when I gained my PhD. At the age of 60 I did a TEFL course. You are never too old.

I've always worked and enjoyed working but when I was 44 I had to quit and become a full time carer to my child.
The days were long and the nights even longer and I totally lost my own identity 😩.
I'm approaching a big birthday this year and I've finally found myself again. I've got into exercise,volunteering and I've just completed lots of online courses that have totally given me knowledge motivation and confidence to be the best version of me I can be.
So I haven't swum the channel or raised millions for charity but I can now volunteer my time and knowledge to those who need my help and support and it actually feels good xx

Not me but my mum graduated university at 52! She's still going at the next level now and is due to graduate again next summer aged 55

I'm super proud of her, and it gives me hope I haven't peaked already 😂

I’ve started learning German through Duolingo. I’m on level A1, but I’ve achieved more than what I did in French and Spanish at school.

I then had the mad thought to give Hindi a try as well!

MSc at 31 then did postgrad in Social Work at 39-40. I’m 42 now and in a pretty senior role but planning to make a couple more upward moves before I take my foot off the pedal…I’m a mum of 2 as well.

PLEASE please don’t let these thoughts take the edge off your fantastic achievement and exciting career ahead! MH nursing is an amazing career and you will be SO in demand when you qualify.

Think of it this way - you’ll qualify at like 32, and if you retire at 67 thats 35 years of career in front of you. You’ve internalised some societal bullshit about doing stuff by a certain age, especially women - celebrate what you’re doing, you’re young and with a bit of life experience behind you, you’ll make an even better nurse!! Xx

My forties and fifties have been such an adventure! Painful at times with two life changing bereavements and adjusting to living alone, but so much growth too. Ran a marathon. Started a whole new terrifying career which has gone from strength to strength. I am constantly surprised by how much better life gets with age.

I plan to do a degree next year, I’m 35.

I have studied on 4 separate occasions in my life. When I first left school I went to uni to do Chemistry, then I went back to Uni in the evenings when I was 25 to do a HND in business IT, then at 33, while I was a SAHM, I went to college in the evenings to do bookkeeping, then at age 45, I did a Masters in management and marketing in my spare time, which I have just finished.
You are never too old to do any of these things and each time I have done them it’s been at a different stage of my life and therefore a different experience. I’m a firm believer that your life when you leave school doesn’t have to define what you do for the rest of it, so embrace the opportunity to do something now and enjoy every minute!

Age is a number. I worked in admin/secretarial work since I left school. At 28 I start an English degree with the Open University whilst working and raising my son. Graduated at 34. 35 I gave up my admin job and went to an actual uni to retrain as Theatre Practitioner (ODP). I graduated 6 years ago, work in theatres in anaesthetics and have since been promoted to a band 6 team leader. I absolutely love my job. I don't regret the 19 years in admin as it served a purpose til I decided what I wanted to do. Plus it's enabled me to be super organised. Just go for it. You won't regret it. If you don't you will always wonder what if....

In my 20s I did A levels and business Studies at evening classes. I did a Counselling course in my 40s. Shortly before I retired, I did two level 3 healthcare courses.

Since retiring I have gained a 2.1 honours degree. I got fitter with weekly keep fit class, pilates and swimming. I declutterred, refurbished and decorated my house. I have done arts and crafts classes. I look after my grandchildren.

I feel these are all achievements and show that, as long as you are reasonably healthy, age is no barrier.

I'm 53 and have been qualified (RN) 2 years.
You'd have been amongst the youngsters in my cohort.
Good luck! You can do this.