Nursing or am I mad?

[ShouldIRetrain]

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?

I worked in corporate before I changed to the NHS. I was depressed, the days dragged and I was absolutely sick of office politics. I just put my coat on one day and filed my notice.
I'd advise anyone who wants to retrain, not just in healthcare, to just go for it. I always think what's the worst that could happen? If you don't like it you've always got your previous work skills to fall back on.

Age is just a number! Go for it honestly!

I'm 33 and have been wanting to do my nursing since I was 25, I didn't as I had children and it all got postponed, I'm hoping to get back into the nhs HCA role very soon but the nursing side I want to start is mental health nursing. It's also pretty easy and quick to work up the bands once you are qualified too. I worked on a ward previously but had to leave due to personal circumstances (marriage breakdown) but I loved my job even as just a HCA I worked with children in a psychiatric intensive care unit and it was soo rewarding when they end up getting discharged! I think nursing is a job where you have to have empathy and a caring kind nature it's not for everyone but it is very rewarding, you don't have to work on a ward either you can do community, GP practice or even go for private companies once you've got the degree. There's loads of different paths in nursing you can take it's not just hospitals and wards. I cannot wait to go back if honest I honestly hand on heart loved my job there!

I retrained in my early 40s into Speech and Language Therapy and my only (partial) regret is that I didn't do it sooner - although if I had, I think some of my real strengths wouldn't have been the strengths they now are to be honest.

I'll be honest - I had one placement where my supervising clinician really had the hump that she personally didn't like having a mature student older than her to supervise - but in general, apart from the terror of walking into the classroom that first day, it was a massively positive experience and I love my job.

Hi there

I'm 45 and also considering nursing now that my children are a little older. However we do relocate from time to time with my husband's work and so i may find it all too difficult. Nursing is something i have perhaps 'fantasied' about for years but the time has just never been right. I've tried so many times to ask about shadowing opportunities to make sure it's really what I want to do but it appears that unless you're in school, such work experience doesn't exist.

I'm also considering reflexology or acupuncture instead as it may give me more flexibility. Still, i always come back to thinking about being a nurse...

I'd be interested to hear what you decide :)

I know right? I'd love it if you could volunteer for a few days just to make tea, clean, keep people company to get a feel of what it's like to work on a ward. You'd then get to see if it's something you could cope with, before committing to the debt and work of the degree.

I do volunteer in ward and do teas and coffee, help with lunch service and also can now help feed patients too. I also have time to sit with them for a chat.

i have 2 applications in for two universities near me and now just waiting to hear back. Fingers crossed!

@ShouldIRetrain good luck!!

I trained at 40 and it was life changing, in a good way.

Thank you, starting to not feel optimistic as heard nothing. However, they do have until May to let me know.

I am in an allied role and trained in 30s. I love working on wards. I have family members who are also nurses. We all find it so rewarding and makes life meaningful.

I know some who are going via the nurse associate role and then topping up to a b5. And there are apprenticeships in physio/OT/Salt etc

Good luck

Thought I would come back and confirm that today I received an offer. Shocked but delighted. Now just need to get myself ready!
thanks all

Amazing!! Good luck x

I’m nearly 53 and have just started studying Nursing. Want to be my MN nursing buddy?

Wow congratulations OP can you keep us posted. Sounds like it will be right for you.

I am 48, been a qualified Nurse for 27 years now and have always had a community role (ACP now). I am counting down the years until I can retire. Don't get me wrong I LOVE seeing patient and I love making a difference - I am also paid well I think as I have been qualified for so long. What I hate is the pressure and the sheer number of patients that we are expected to see in a day. I do 12.5 hr days and bounce from one visit to the other seeing very sick people, I have my phone ringing with more work being put on me and it is totally exhausting and relentless. Would I choose nursing again? No chance.

Absolutely!

I can imagine that it’s bloody hard on you and can see why you want to get out. I suppose I keep thinking if I can do a little bit and help people why not, I am also ‘lucky’ that I won’t have 27 years to work and probably at best 8 or so.
i am so sorry you’re having such a hard time, the profession is not rewarded as well as it should be and there aren’t enough to manage all of the demands.

Good luck OP! I’m a mental health nurse in my 40s with three small children. The job can be tough but it’s a good job. I feel reasonably fulfilled in my work and working in the community allows for a lot of flexibility.

I’d recommend looking after your physical health as much as possible, as the night shifts etc you will need to do while training can really take a toll. We regularly have students in their 40s and 50s.

Massive congratulations. Buckle up for a mad adventure into the world of nursing!

Congratulations, honestly keep organised and on top of everything and you'll be fine. Wishing you all the best 🙏

What a great thread OP how are you feeling about starting?

Good luck

I trained into an AHP role in my 40s. It is hard a can be draining. Best thing I did. (I thought about nursing, but I didn't think I would manage nights etc)

I’ve been a nurse for 28 years. I love it. Can’t imagine doing anything else and if I had my time again I’d still be a nurse. I work as a senior, but mostly patient facing, ICU nurse.

BUT…… it’s hard work. We get a lot of shit and my salary in no way reflects my skills. The NHS is in dire straits. We are scrutinised for everything at the moment. My Trust needs to save over £15 million this year and us nurses are going to be directly affected by this. Most of my colleagues are dependent on overtime / side hustles to make ends meet.

I still think it’s brilliant though so I’d say go for it and best of luck!

I won’t lie, I am slightly terrified! Will I be able learn quickly enough, will my body be up to the physical side of it and lastly will I be ok with the sights/smells. But also excited.

Hallelujah!
I am 56 and a half, at university for my first time, studying Mental Health Nursing.
Kudos to us all, who wish to help the NHS move away of its toxic reputation.
Coupled with passion and neurotype thinking I have discovered what is fulfilling to me.