Anyone studying for for a health and social care subject in their 40's?

[Madsometimes]

Or is it too old?

I've been a SAHM since dd1 was born, and am considering a career change. I did do a degree when I was young, and worked in market research / IT, but I would prefer to do a job that matters!

I have recovered from illness this year, and want to do something worthwhile. My last qualifications are nearly 20 years old, so I may need to do an access course. Just thoughts at this stage. I'm 40 in a few months.

You are not too old! However, I would try a few shifts in a health or social care setting before you commit to a course, just to get an idea of what you are choosing to do. Good luck!

I started a degree in medicine at 38. I'm now 41 and about to start my 4th year. A woman graduated on my course at 51 two years ago, there are a few of us around. You can do what you want when you are older if you are determined.

Wow, tired that is amazing. Were you already working in a healthcare related profession before starting your degree or was it a complete change of direction from office work or SAHM?

The healthcare jobs that interest me are optometry and SLT. Both very competitive courses, but with only three years of training. Also, hopefully not too physically demanding compared with nursing, radiography or physio where you need to lift patients, or medicine where you need to make vital decisions having had no sleep.

I called one university to ask about optometry, and they suggested a particular access course because they said a degree from 1994 could not be considered for entry. I'm going to talk to the access course tutors this week, but I don't know if graduates ever do these courses or if they will say I'm too old

I'm also in a bit of a panic because I haven't worked since the children were born, so there's after school clubs and commuting to consider. Will I have the stamina? Then there's the dog...

Hi. There's a bit more about my circumstances on this thread:

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/student_parents/1532743-Starting-uni-full-time-in-September-having-a-wobble

I had no healthcare experience. I'd been a SAHM for 7 years when I did science A levels to get into medschool.

I also commute, and have two children, and a dog!!

Oh, and my degree is from 1993. Don't let worrying about the age thing be an obstacle.

Meant to say, I worked before in the marketing industry so it was a complete change of direction. You do have to be determined though. My whole life revolved around getting into medical school for a while and I was rejected the first year I applied by the only one I'd applied to - they said I didn't have enough relevant work experience, so when I reapplied I'd worked in a hospice and been out with ambulance crews as an observer. I got into all three I applied to that year :)

You can only try, can't you? So many people told me not to bother/I was too old/my kids would suffer etc. All bollocks and I'm glad I didn't let it put me off.

That word you used - stamina - is a good one to describe what you need to get through a tough course when you've got kids. I have cried, wailed and moaned about my course sometimes, but I will be qualified in less than two years from now. It was summer 2007 when I decided I was going to go for it.

Good luck and I'd say go for it.

You are certainly an inspiration to all the students on this board, regardless of the courses that they are studying. I particularly admire the way that you didn't allow rejection to put you off your goal, but brushed yourself down, got the experience needed and reapplied. At 43, you will have 20+ years to work as a doctor, and having life experience and an understanding of people and dare I say it business will help you. I pity any pharmaceutical rep trying to sell to an ex-marketing pro .

im starting mental health nursing in september.
i completed an access course as a stepping stone to get me back into education and give me the qualifications that i needed.

im 34 but have been told that sometimes being a mature student works in your favour because youve had the life experience and youre doing it because its something you really want.

Cheesesarnie, another inspiration! All the best for your course starting very soon.

I think you are right that being a mature student can help. I remember them being very diligent when I was an immature student. My mum has always said that education is wasted on the young...

I've just completed my first yr midwifery training and at 36 I was a young one so never too old! I was a nurse previously but had been at home with my children..my previous education was 'out of date' and I was required to have done something academic within the previous five years. I did one semester of a 2 nd yr sciences degree at the same university and I was required to get As. Go for it. It something I have always wanted to do but wasn't ready until I felt a bit older in myself..go for it!

Duletty, were you really quite young for your midwifery course at 36? Is it a postgrad course?

Now that's certainly a job that needs stamina.

Not postgrad full mix of 18 yr old bright school leavers (at 18 I was really daft!) people on second degrees and access course who tended to be the older ones. So in my group of 26 there were about 10 under 20, 5 mid 20's, 5 mid 30's and the rest over 40. This was for the full three yr degree rather than the short course you can do as a qualified nurse

I am at uni - over half the class is over 35