How to get into nursing at 32

[Wantachangefor2024]

Hi, I’m 32, with a degree in English, got all my maths and science GCSE’s. No science A-levels. Worked in an office setting. For the last two years I have cared for my mum with dementia until my dad retired to take care of her. It has given me a desire to go into nursing - could any nurses out there tell me how best to go about it. Been a long time since uni days now. Many thanks in advance.

Apply for a band 3 post, after 4 or so months apply for the band 4 training posts. You work full time and get paid but attend college 1 day a week for a year. After a year you can enter the degree course and you only need to do another year to be fully qualified band 5. NHS pay your salary and the fees so no loans or bursary nonsense.
All our band 3s who want to progress are going this route in Scotland, not sure about England though...

@angel1977 ahh I’m in England but thank you. I’ll have a look into that. I am prepared to go to college/uni and not be paid, it depends whatever is the best route is. Thanks!

Access course then uni. A lady on my course did her access course at 46 and qualified age 50.

I very much doubt you’ll need an access course as you have GCSEs and a degree. Contact the health and nursing faculty at your local university for advice

@RagzRebooted thank you. Can you tell me if it matters where I do the access course as in are city colleges preferred or unis? My local town has a college that does a course and wonder if unis will be happy with that. It’s quite hard to find out the info as apparently all unis have different requirements and I’m too old to move away to a uni now so it will have to be one fairly close.

You won't need an access course , contact your local uni. But nurses do have to pay tuition fees now if not going the paid training route (band 4).
Would you be eligible for student loans if you already have a degree ?

I would second giving the health care assistant role a go to see if you enjoy it.

You can try out the various shifts (long days & nights) to see if they suit you, get a feel of ward work, processes, documentation etc

@Nonewclothes2024 thank you! Would be great if I didn’t have to do the extra year. It’s really not clear from looking online whether I’d need to so I shall contact some unis.

I would get my tuition fees covered as loans as it’s a nursing degree (I believe from what I’ve read). Unsure about any bursary loans etc but I’m lucky I have enough savings to see me through the degree.

@Ridley4 thank you I will contact them. Been wondering if I’m a little old for it as uni was such a long time ago that’s why I’ve held off. But being in hospitals with my mum and caring for her, I really fancy giving it a go.

Please dont get loans, our newly qualified nurses are drowning in debt as their repayments are so high. After deductions they are only taking home £1500 a month.
Working as a 3 and a 4 gives great experience of different places, ward and jobs. You can really find out what you like so much better.

Nursing academic here... 32 years old will put you just below the average for nursing students. In fact 18 year olds straight after school are a rarity now.

You have enough qualifications to get into a nursing programme now - but if you feel the need to brush up study skills an Access course would be an idea. However not necessary as we're experiencing a drop in applications across the sector and really need applicants to stay afloat so you're likely to get a place regardless.

It would be a good idea to get some experience in care work before you commit - and there might be an opportunity to get an apprenticeship if the idea of a student loan doesn't appeal ( though you might have to work a few years before you got the opportunity to apply for an apprenticeship and then it's a 4 year programme )