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.

I’m 30 and will be starting my nursing degree in January! Definitely not too late. I found being able to draw on my own personal experiences was so helpful for the interviews for uni and having the benefit of being through interview processes before made it easier, I got offers for all 5 unis I applied to.

I was lucky that they accepted my Bio degree from a decade ago and didn’t need to do the access course. You can do access courses at your local college which I believe are 1 year full time study, this isn’t financially feasible for everyone though so you can apply to do it via distance learning, costs about £1000ish and you can apply for I think an advanced learner loan to pay for the course (check with the provider as some don’t accept it!).

best of luck with it and I really hope you get onto a course as soon as you’re able!

I started midwifery training the day before my 34th birthday and qualified just before I was 37. There was a woman 10 years older on my course. I say go for it (even though I don't do it anymore).

Absolutely not too late. I have a 43 year old friend in her second year and loving it

I work for the NHS (admin side) and a gent in our Trust qualified as a mental health nurse at 52 & he’s won many awards.

Go for it!

Go for it! Look into criteria and funding. You should be fine with your qualifications though.
I qualified when I was 30. I originally applied for adult nursing but got offered a spot on the LD nursing as I had previously worked as a support worker with people with LD. Really glad I did.
People.on my course were in 40s and 50s. One of the older ones was a deputy ward manager six months after qualifying.

Think about which branch you want to go for. There's a shortfall of learning disability (LD) nurses currently. (Not that I'm biased.... )

A few years ago a man in the UK qualified when he was in his 70s and had several job offers lined up when he qualified from where he'd had placements

There were several ladies in their 50s on my course! 😊

Not at all! I qualified 7 years ago aged 30 and I was one of the mid ranges in my uni group

At 34 you've got a whole lifetime of work before you can retire at 68 so you might as well do something you'll enjoy.

I qualified in my forties. Got a few good years to go now they've raised retirement age! Still love it- just go for it!

Thankyou! I did an access course online through learn direct first, then went straight to uni. I've loved every minute. The access course really prepares you for the essays x

I qualified at 39 ten years ago, I still have 19 years before I retire!!

I didn’t do the access course, I did the introduction to health and social care with the Open University, the university I went to accepted this. It’s a 9 month distance learning course if I remember correctly.

Good luck, nursing has so many opportunities. I moved from the UK 5 years ago and love my job 😀

Could anyone tell me who has done a second degree, if my tuition fee loans from this second degree would be added to my first degrees student debt or would I pay them both back separately? Nothing online to clarify. Maybe silly question but have to think about everything before going into it. Going to sit and read through all replies, thank you ladies!

@tass1960 thank you! Can I ask why you gave it up?

Definitely not too late, my aunt trained to be a nurse in her 40's! Good luck x

I honestly think you make a better nurse if you life experience. I didn't train as a nurse but similar as slightly older and life experience makes it's easier for you than some of the 18 year olds I trained with. Go for it! It's a job that's very rewarding. You make a difference every day!

@Aramiss oh wow!! What an achievement - and thank you, I’m learning age is just a number

34 is no age. Of course it’s not too late to become a nurse.

Absolutely not too old. I had a student midwife involved in my care a few months ago, I don't know what age she was but I'd say late 40s. She was amazing, one of the most caring, passionate and professional people I've come across. She said she'd always wanted to do it and finally took the plunge.

Never too old.

@Astonesthrowawayjj thank you for the advice, did you not do an access course as you had experience or is it because you also had a previous degree?

You are not too old!

A friend of mine did her nursing training at 48. She works in children's oncology.

I gave it up for a few reasons - mostly personal. I did it for 20 years though and I did enjoy it. I now do part-time admin work (again) and I like that I have no real stress or pressure until I feel ready to retire. I don't regret doing it one bit.

It’s about doing what’s right for you and makes you happy isn’t it, realising that and I believe nursing will be a challenge I enjoy.

Go for it! A friend is 36 and just finished year 2 of her paramedic degree

You're more likely to regret not doing it than the other way round. I would make the same choices again.

You're not too old at all, but I'm a nurse and if I could go back in time I wouldn't have chosen it at all, sad to say. I qualified aged 22 and am now 30.
I'd recommend you become a nurse associate first (takes 2 years I believe) and then if you like it you can do the extra 1 year to become a nurse. Nurse associates can do everything a nurse can do except IV medications I believe, though the guidance seems to be constantly changing.