Is 34 too old to become a nurse?

[CareerChange24]

Is 34 too old to become a nurse by the time i qualify? And could people give me advice on how best I go about getting into nursing. Already have a degree but in a humanities subject, have A’s at GCSE in science, but no science A levels. Worked in an office but have had a caring role for an elderly parent they last few years and that’s now come to an end it’s given me the drive to want to do something completely different and nursing really appeals.

If you don't already have it you will need GCSE maths and English even with a degree.

No. You're likely to have at least 30 years of working life left.

I have a friend who has just completed her access course including GCSE maths and science, and will start her nursing degree at university in September. She’s 51. Having a great time!

Contact your local unis for advice on getting a place. You shouldn’t need an access course with your GCSEs and a degree. My friend’s DD has just qualified on a 2 year masters and her degree was humanities.

They will be keen on experience though so look at ways of broadening your skill set.

I did my access in 2020 when I was 36 and I am now 40 and about to qualify as a midwife in 8 weeks!

Go for it!

Deffo not to old. There were people 45 plus on my course when I trained.
I am a nurse but I do sometimes wish I went into something different.

Nah, my gran qualified at 40 and was an excellent nurse for 25 years.

@UpUpUpU nearly at the finishing line, well done!! Never had children but it’s an area of nursing that must be one of the most rewarding and I’d really fancy. Although trixie from call the midwife has probably made it seem too easy (love her)

It’s a very hard job but I absolutely love it. Definitely go for nursing if it’s something you fancy!

Definitely not too old but as PP said you will need maths and English in Scotland it’s SCQF level 5 i am not sure what the English equivalent is. If you have never done any care work before (I realise you have cared for family but caring for other people
is a bit different) I would see about working as a HCA first to make sure it’s definitely for you before committing to anything

You will do fine!

Not at all. I recommend paediatric nursing. Best job ever.

Friend of mine retrained as a nurse at 36 says it was the best thing she ever did as she always wanted to be one and never thought she'd do it. Now she's a children's nurse and loves it.

Hi. I will be 39 when I qualify op (currently at the end of my studying) I have a friend on course who will be 41 when she's completed.

I didn't need to do an access course although I know some people choose this route. I did do some healthcare work prior to applying to university although there are lots who haven't.

I would contact your universities of choice and ask the admissions team what the entry requirements are for your specific position as sometimes the website entry requirements are really specific but for mature students it can looks a bit different. Id say most of the online entry requirements are aimed towards school leavers. It's a bit different with life and work experience under your belt and some of your degree qualifications might count towards entry requirements. Some universities require maths at a certain level but this can be done online prior. Other universities don't and with there now being less applicants than previous years and lots of NHS staff/nurses leaving the field they need all the help they can get at this point.

Don't let the age stop you (such a mix of ages on my course) good luck!

No not too old, plenty of mature students do health care related degrees.

Definitely not top old.
Go for it 💪

I've been wondering about this route myself. It really appeals to me for a similar reason to the OP - I've been an unpaid carer for a very long time and feel this is the direction I'm being pulled in.

OP, I'm 47 and I feel really old for it and wonder if they'd even want me, but I feel certain it's not too old for you.

Slightly different but I went back to uni to train to be a social worker at 38. Was petrified I'd be ancient compared to all of the other students but was really in the middle. I've now been qualified a few years, have progressed pretty quickly and feel part of this is because of my age and life experience...think it would have been harder at 21. I think nursing is probably similar in that respect...go for it.

Go for it. When I was training at 18 there were many women in their 40's and 50's who'd had their families young and were putting themselves first now.

Not nursing but I’m about to qualify as an AHP at 40. My previous degree was not science related, nor were my a levels so I had to do an Access course. Do not pay upfront for it yourself! If you go through certain colleges, they accept the Advanced Learner Loan which then gets written off when you qualify in your degree:
https://www.gov.uk/advanced-learner-loan

I'm 54 qualified 3 years ago. I had a previous degree so they let me in on just that.
I've just secured a Band 6 position.
Honestly just go for it!

I am just finishing my training now, the majority of my cohort are in their 30s, there was nobody straight from a-level and I was one of only 4 of us who started under 23. The oldest is 46 and there are plenty of people around that age. You will be a very normal age for doing it.

If you can get onto a course without access, I would choose that. The women who did access enjoyed it but found it more stressful and demanding of your time than the 1st year of the degree.
I got in with irrelevant A-levels (drama etc) and a few years of care experience. It is a good course, you should do it :)

My husband is late 40s and in his final year of his nursing degree so 34 is young! He was in the NHS as an HCA first though which has been really useful especially when he goes into placements. Good luck

I start uni in September to do adult nursing. I've just finished my access course. I'll be 43 when I start uni and 46 when I qualify. The access course was really helpful in learning to study again, it's been a long time since I was in education!

Of course it isn't. I changed career to become an airline pilot at 39 after 15 years as a secondary English teacher.

Go for it.