After 15 years in the NHS and a recent pivot to the Civil Service, I find myself deeply missing patient contact and the nursing career I always aspired to. Now that my children are older, logistically things are much easier, and the desire to care for patients is stronger than ever. However, I’m 39 and have reservations about re-entering the NHS due to well-documented concerns about toxic workplace cultures. It would take me 4 years in total to complete the degree and the access course. I would love to hear advice from others who have navigated late-career changes or who are in healthcare and can give me some perspective.