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Mature study and retraining

Talk to other Mumsnetters who are considering a career change or are mature students.

Original poster

Nursing or am I mad?

60 replies

ShouldIRetrain · 28/01/2025 18:30

Hi, I am in my mid 50’s and I have left my corporate role after many years. I am currently on a sabbatical and was considering what I will do next. I am really drawn to nursing and studying to become a nurse. Am I mad?
Has anyone else done this and what was your experience?

OP posts:
Original poster
ShouldIRetrain · 28/01/2025 20:25

Bump

OP posts:
Aussierose2 · 28/01/2025 20:35

When I did my course we had some people late 40s in our class and a 50 year old. They did great ( I might argue better than us ones with much less life experience) I would just have in mind it takes 3 years to train and another couple of years after that to start to feel confident.

overthinkersanonnymus · 28/01/2025 20:45

Ooooo me too. I'm 38 and would like to go in to some. Sort of nursing, but I can't afford to be out of work for 3 years. And i worry that I have a bit of a romanticised view on it.

Lots of nurses on here are having a terrible time and leaving in droves!

It's be good to hear from nurses on what it's like, days to day?

Liketheclappers · 28/01/2025 21:26

I've literally just started my nursing degree at the grand old age of 50. I've worked in the NHS for 6 years and worked my way up to a band 4 but without the degree I can't progress any further.
I know first hand just how hard and stressful this career is however I have a passion in me that no other job I've ever done has come anywhere near.

Original poster
ShouldIRetrain · 28/01/2025 21:27

Aussierose2 · 28/01/2025 20:35

When I did my course we had some people late 40s in our class and a 50 year old. They did great ( I might argue better than us ones with much less life experience) I would just have in mind it takes 3 years to train and another couple of years after that to start to feel confident.

Thanks, I know that’s what puts me off slightly is the age I’ll be should I graduate. It’s so hard to decide!

OP posts:
Original poster
ShouldIRetrain · 28/01/2025 21:29

overthinkersanonnymus · 28/01/2025 20:45

Ooooo me too. I'm 38 and would like to go in to some. Sort of nursing, but I can't afford to be out of work for 3 years. And i worry that I have a bit of a romanticised view on it.

Lots of nurses on here are having a terrible time and leaving in droves!

It's be good to hear from nurses on what it's like, days to day?

I am fortunate that I can afford to take time off working and I believe can claim the bursary and maintenance loan too which will help financially. I also know lots of nurses are leaving but it feels like something where I could help until I finally retire.

OP posts:
Original poster
ShouldIRetrain · 28/01/2025 21:30

Liketheclappers · 28/01/2025 21:26

I've literally just started my nursing degree at the grand old age of 50. I've worked in the NHS for 6 years and worked my way up to a band 4 but without the degree I can't progress any further.
I know first hand just how hard and stressful this career is however I have a passion in me that no other job I've ever done has come anywhere near.

How have you found the studying? I already have a masters degree but it’s not in a related field so not sure that I can go in at second year.

OP posts:
Liketheclappers · 28/01/2025 21:33

ShouldIRetrain · 28/01/2025 21:30

How have you found the studying? I already have a masters degree but it’s not in a related field so not sure that I can go in at second year.

Show quote history

I just have to make sure I start a piece of work as soon as it is given and be ultra organised. Our tutors are really supportive and will help as much as they are able.
There's already been quite a lot drop off the course for one reason or another. It's a hard degree to get through but it'll be worth it in the end.

OrlandointheWilderness · 28/01/2025 21:38

I did two years of the degree and it nearly finished me off! The academic side was fine - but I hated the job. I would say it is one of the roles that you actually do need to be properly passionate about. I am in awe of anyone who can be a nurse. It wasn't for me and two years of trying to fit a square peg into a round hole took a serious toll on my mental health.

Original poster
ShouldIRetrain · 28/01/2025 21:39

Liketheclappers · 28/01/2025 21:33

I just have to make sure I start a piece of work as soon as it is given and be ultra organised. Our tutors are really supportive and will help as much as they are able.
There's already been quite a lot drop off the course for one reason or another. It's a hard degree to get through but it'll be worth it in the end.

Show quote history

Thanks I know what it’s like to have to be organised with assignments etc. interestingly why have so many dropped out?

OP posts:
Original poster
ShouldIRetrain · 28/01/2025 21:40

OrlandointheWilderness · 28/01/2025 21:38

I did two years of the degree and it nearly finished me off! The academic side was fine - but I hated the job. I would say it is one of the roles that you actually do need to be properly passionate about. I am in awe of anyone who can be a nurse. It wasn't for me and two years of trying to fit a square peg into a round hole took a serious toll on my mental health.

Sorry to hear that you hated it and the effect on your mental health. If you don’t mind me asking what did you hate about it?

OP posts:
User7288339 · 28/01/2025 21:41

I am getting such a weird Deja vu with this thread! I’m sure there must have been quite a similar one before, but maybe it’s just my brain

Yoheresthestory · 28/01/2025 21:42

Honestly, I don’t know why people do jobs where they are not paid enough to live well. I would never choose nursing for this reason.

Liketheclappers · 28/01/2025 21:43

ShouldIRetrain · 28/01/2025 21:39

Thanks I know what it’s like to have to be organised with assignments etc. interestingly why have so many dropped out?

Show quote history

I think it helps having worked on the wards in a hospital... some people on the course have never had any patient contact before and it can be very overwhelming. It's busy, unpredictable and exhausting but I love this side of the job. I've just done two days online learning from home and it's driven me mad. I could never do an office type role from home. It's each to their own isn't it.

OrlandointheWilderness · 28/01/2025 21:47

@ShouldIRetrain tbh it was a visceral reaction for me. I loved the technical clinical skills but despite being a pretty outgoing and friendly person I didn't like working with people! Ward work is awful. After years of working outside I felt trapped, and it didn't help that I had a couple of bad placements that led to pretty serious panic attacks and it all snowballed from there.

Original poster
ShouldIRetrain · 28/01/2025 21:50

User7288339 · 28/01/2025 21:41

I am getting such a weird Deja vu with this thread! I’m sure there must have been quite a similar one before, but maybe it’s just my brain

I did search to see if there was a thread similar but couldn’t find one.

OP posts:
Original poster
ShouldIRetrain · 28/01/2025 21:51

Yoheresthestory · 28/01/2025 21:42

Honestly, I don’t know why people do jobs where they are not paid enough to live well. I would never choose nursing for this reason.

I definitely wouldn’t be doing it for the salary!

OP posts:
Original poster
ShouldIRetrain · 28/01/2025 21:52

Liketheclappers · 28/01/2025 21:43

I think it helps having worked on the wards in a hospital... some people on the course have never had any patient contact before and it can be very overwhelming. It's busy, unpredictable and exhausting but I love this side of the job. I've just done two days online learning from home and it's driven me mad. I could never do an office type role from home. It's each to their own isn't it.

Show quote history

Yes, I have been volunteering in a community hospital for about a year. I know it’s not nursing but has provided insight into being on a ward.

OP posts:
Original poster
ShouldIRetrain · 28/01/2025 21:54

OrlandointheWilderness · 28/01/2025 21:47

@ShouldIRetrain tbh it was a visceral reaction for me. I loved the technical clinical skills but despite being a pretty outgoing and friendly person I didn't like working with people! Ward work is awful. After years of working outside I felt trapped, and it didn't help that I had a couple of bad placements that led to pretty serious panic attacks and it all snowballed from there.

I do think the placements can have a massive influence on whether or not you enjoy it. Lots to weigh up!

OP posts:
Yoheresthestory · 28/01/2025 21:57

ShouldIRetrain · 28/01/2025 21:51

I definitely wouldn’t be doing it for the salary!

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Well if you don’t need the money then I think it is generous of you to apply yourself to something as valuable to others as nursing.

MrsSkylerWhite · 28/01/2025 21:59

Yep, you probably are a bit mad. NHS staff have to put up with so much crap.

That said, my husband has just had life-saving surgery and I would be forever grateful to you were you one of his fabulous nurses.

Liketheclappers · 28/01/2025 22:00

ShouldIRetrain · 28/01/2025 21:52

Yes, I have been volunteering in a community hospital for about a year. I know it’s not nursing but has provided insight into being on a ward.

Show quote history

Any work experience is so valuable. My first ever job was on a stroke ward as band 2 healthcare assistant and I'd never worked in a hospital before. There was an horrendous outbreak of D&V on my first day and at the end of the shift someone asked if I'd be back the next day 😂. I think you've got to be slightly mad to work in healthcare, I just feel that it's where I belong.

kiana2015 · 28/01/2025 22:02

Not to late at all

Toddlerteaplease · 28/01/2025 22:07

I was working with two newly qualified nurses today. Both in their late 40's. They are such an asset to the team because of their life experience. Paediatric nursing is the best job ever. And not as stressful as adult land.

creamsnugjumper · 28/01/2025 22:08

Following with interest as I'm 49 and seriously considering training as a midwife, I need to really decide and save for maybe another 12 months so will be 50 before my degree.

I'm also corporate, still working.