Honest answers? Would you start training to be a nurse at age 40?

[manchestermum82]

Due to needing to do the access course first I wouldn't qualify till I was 45!
I've never had a career, even though I was quite bright at school and always wanted to be a nurse. I was married and had children young and due to Dh's job moving us away from family I always stayed at home and picked up part time minimum wage jobs to fit round the children.
I'm now 40 and the dc are all getting more independent, dh earns a good wage which I have full access to and I always thought I would be content working part time for extra "pocket money" then hopefully being childcare for my own children at some point so they can have the careers they are working towards.
I don't know if it's turning 40 that's changed things but I'm now realising I'm older than my managers (retail job) and treated like a bit of dirt most of the time. I still fit into the "mums working around kids" group but don't want to move into the "this is my forever job now" older group who openly say they hate the job.
I feel now is the time to either do something about it or suck up the fact I'll be moving around basic type jobs forever with no progression or decent pension of my own etc.
By the time I do the access course though I'll end up in uni with classmates younger than my oldest dc

You’re not too old to go for it! I remember there were people of all ages in my cohort: from really young to late 40’s/50’s.

I’m a nurse, and I love it. However(!), I’ve worked in hospitals since I was very young. There are days that are diabolical. There will be things you encounter that break your heart. But there are plenty of good times. It’s really like no other job (for the good things and the not so good things!). I work on an acute ward, and am very lucky with the hours I do, and the amazing team of people I work with. We often get patients coming in time and time again, so you get to really know them. And it sounds corny, but yes you really can make a difference to someone’s day, and that’s a lovely feeling. I wouldn’t want to work anywhere else.

have you worked in healthcare before? I’d really recommend starting shifts as a carer (or even as a volunteer on a ward!) - this will give you a good clue about whether healthcare/nursing is something that you would want to do.

Depends on the job. I have never worked shifts and my workplace doesn't feel pressured or understaffed. I feel very appreciated by colleagues and patients. I work in a GP surgery.

You'd have 20 years of work left in you by the time you qualified so I'd say go for it. We need more nurses.

I started as a HCA in 1986, went to do my RMN (pre diploma or degree level) and been working in mental health nursing since. I like the work ie seeing patients etc and hearing their life stories (I work in the community doing assessments) but it's very stressful, lots of tick boxing and resources stretched to the limit. As an example, I assessed a patient beginning of February, felt she needed urgent admission, she refused informal admission so ask for a MHA assessment. It took a week for the AMHPs to get there, they agreed an admission was needed. No fecking bed🙄. By the time a bed became available the MHA had expired and another one needed doing which caused further delays. She ended up in hospital 2 months later...and this was an emergency admission. All that time she was putting herself and others at risk and living in a shitty bedsit with a hole in the ceiling and damage to the electrics. I was so bloody angry, screaming and shouting at anyone who'd listen (not literally, metaphorically! ) I nearly ended up being detained myself.

Teams are forever being reconfigured in the name of progress. My arse, its to save money.

I'm counting the days till I can retire on my (gold plated according to the DM) NHS pension.

I am 39 and just coming to the end of year 1 in Midwifery. I absolutely love it!
im a single parent with a 4 year old so family support is needed to do it.

It is a stressful environment at times and staffing is often poor, but my advice to you is don’t listen to the negativity (there is a LOT in the NHS), go and do what you love and spread positivity

I've known people who've retrained at your sort of age, not all have stayed in hospitals, nurses are needed at GP practices for example
Someone mentioned dental nursing, a friend is one and says that there seems to be a shortage of dental nurses.

Absolutely do it.

I did the same thing at similar age and highly recomend it. Although I did an allied health profession so don't have such hard shifts and nights etc. I totally relate to the way you feel. I've been qualified a while now and it's one of the best things I've done. Also great now I am a single parent and can support us and have some flexibility. There will be many mature students including people in their 50s. Go for it.

Honestly ? absolutely not, have you thought about training to be an OT ? great job, more likely to get paid more quicker, still dealing with people and making a difference to their lives.

@spohn what is you do please?

ive Know people train aged 50. Don’t be put off doing what u want to do, whatever that may be

I'm starting a course to re-train as an Occupational Therapist in September. I'm 43!! I was really interested in nursing but was a bit concerned about the shifts, having primary school aged children.

Have you considered being a nursing associate first? Could you do that, then go on to full nursing if you enjoy it? Might not be quite as full on? Though I could be wrong!

Good luck whatever you decide. You may regret not going for it. You don't have anything to lose!

I started midwifery training at 40. I'm now half way through and it's the best decision I ever made. I left a 6 figure salary to do it and I don't regret it for one second.

I wouldn’t. The NHS is imploding and it’s a hard, unsociable and utterly thankless job. And poorly paid.

I work on a ward and we currently have a 58 year old nursing student with us!

I didn’t enjoy my job for the first several years but then I did. Now I don’t. However I won’t let it put people off though as I truly believe age is a number and it’s up to that person.
there was a lady aged 50 on my course and when my friend started uni, there was a 55 year old man who decided he wanted a career change.
whatever you decide go for it, don’t let other peoples experience experience put you off.

im now in my late forties and want to leave nursing. I’m looking for a careeer change myself!

💯 yes I did it at 40 qualified, worked on wards, specialised and now am a lecturer on an access course!

I qualified days before hitting 49.
Just make sure you are highly motivated because it is tough.

If you are only worried about your age, then go for it. I studied physiotherapy, and there were people in their 40s on my course. Some of the students studying nursing were in their 50s.

It must be something that you want to do though. Nurses are definitely overworked and underpaid in my opinion. However, I'm sure it is pretty rewarding too.

If you do the Access to HCP diploma, you might find that you'd prefer to do something like physio, occupational therapy, podiatry or radiography later on. All of which, like nursing, are roles you really need to have a passion for.

You'll do most of your training in hospitals and probably the first couple of years post-qualifying, but then you can go anywhere. Nursing home, occupational health department, the community, GP practice, private businesses, PIP assessor etc. You don't have to stay in the NHS or spend your life working on a ward.

Also, there are different branches of nursing. Adult, paediatric, MH and LD (?). LD seemed to be being phased out significantly a few years ago, so I'm not sure if many universities still do that degree.

Sorry to spam, but I just hope your age doesn't put you off. I've felt like this before and it isn't a barrier in this situation. There are people who study medicine in their 40s. I know they are not the majority, but there are some. Go for it! If not, you will soon be 45 and still asking the same question.

I would never again be a Nurse at any age ! I say that as someone who has done it for 35 years though.

A friend did this and was top of her class in everything as she was so motivated and interested. Has a good nursing job now which she loves.

I wouldn't recommend a nursing career to anyone. Shit wages, lack of staff, burn out, treated with contempt by other health care disciplines, dreadful hours, appalling pay for unsociable hours, ever increasing admin / paper work, less time available for actual patient care. If you're a perfectionist you'll burn out quickly. Got out as soon as my finances would allow after 40 years. The impact on my mental health has been devastating