Career Change at 40+ - fashion designer to mental health nurse!

[BigDecisionsLittleTime]

I am looking for outside perspective/experience on drastic career change & retraining at 40+ from other women. I am trying to look ahead as I have drifted these last few years with young DC. I have at least 25yrs working life ahead of me, I want it to be productive, worthwhile and enjoyable!

A bit of background about me...

I am 39, mum to 3 DC, wife to a self employed DH. I support him his admin, it takes about 2-3 full days per month. We do have an accountant so it really is just relaying all that info to them, it's not difficult but I don't enjoy it! DH would never do it, I also do all the household admin - this will not change. (he pulls his weight in lots of other ways before anyone says LTB!)

Eldest DC is 10, I have not 'worked' full time since he was 18mths. I have freelanced in a creative role which works alongside what my chosen career was - fashion/retail buying. The freelance is very hit or miss, I actually am not sure I love it anymore. I am bit disillusioned with that sector now 15yrs since starting in it - mass consumerism, exploitation in manufacturing etc. Also there are younger/better people coming along and doing a better job of course! But I am also finding it hard to let go of - it is a part of my identity in some ways.

I enjoy the creativity of my work, but I do have outlets for that as I have a tiny etsy shop, but its really more of a hobby. I would like to give it more time but it's never going to pay the mortgage!

Anyway, as a child I also wanted to be a vet or a nurse, have a more caring role I suppose. I have cared for my children, but not smothered them, I am quite practical in my caring I think. Which leads me on to a career change. For a year or so now, I have not been able to get out of my head retraining in a caring role, but not physical care more metal health I think. I don't like to be in close physical contact with people, I would be terrified of administrating medicine/injections - so this may make the whole thing a non starter anyway? I am also quiet, a bit shy and an introvert, so again this may not really suit nursing/caring.

I have looked in to an access module via OU for health & social care degrees. At £700+ its quite an investment still. I understand there are grants available for degree qualifications in nursing, so that is interesting.

If I did retain, I would be 44 at least before big able to work. My youngest would then be well settled in school, year 2/3. I also struggle to think how I would fit in working full time. Working freelance (part time/adhoc) as well as DH admin support, and in between raising the DC fills all my time. But I also know life moves on, the DC will not need me so much, and so I need to plan ahead now.

I would like the freedom that another salary brings to the home, holidays and so on for the children. I have had quite a slow paced last 9 years as I have mainly given up work really, and I am bit bored of it all. I would like something else in my life, not just to be a wife and mother. My confidence is already not great, I can see if I don't do something now I never will.

I also feel unfulfilled. I was promoted just pre DS1, and then I never really went back properly, so feel a bit cheated I suppose. I feel my potential is there still, I still feel young. F*ck it, I am young!!

So I suppose I am asking two things

1. Has anyone taken a drastic career change at 40+? Like fashion designer to nurse!

2. What is mental health nursing even like? Given my personality traits stated above, would it suit me? Where would I start - do the OU access course or perhaps get an admin type job in metal health support to see what it's like - does such a role even exist?

Thanks if you've read this far! Any advice would be much appreciated. :)

Yes - I switched from a career in big corporates to a self-employed upholsterer. I re-trained part-time and jumped at any extra opportunities that came my way e.g. one day my teacher remarked how much work she had and she'd have to work weekends to get it all done. I asked if I could help her for free - doing the grunt work - so I could get experience of being in a professional workshop. This turned into an apprenticeship and, as other upholsterers rent space in the workshop, I get much more exposure to a range of jobs / skillsets than others who rely on classwork alone. It's also done wonders for my confidence.

I don't have any experience of the health sector, but I'm a firm believer that if you want something badly enough, and you're prepared to work for it, you will succeed. As you say, we have over 20 years of working life ahead of us - more than enough time to succeed in a second career!

Yes, admin roles exist in mental health services, though if you're looking for a secretarial-type role, they may require experience in the medical sector, as they often prefer candidates to have knowledge of medical terms. An alternative might be to look for roles in a mental health charity, like Mind? They advertise a variety of (voluntary and paid) roles, from Trustee-related, to communications, admin, reception etc.

Personally, I wouldn't sell yourself short. If you want to be a mental health nurse, don't waste time looking for admin jobs; just start the training you need.

Best of luck!

I don't know loads but I have a friend who is/was a mental health nurse. She definitely had to administer injections, wash people etc and also restraining. She was physically hurt by patients a few times. She worked her way up and now still works in mental health but not a caring role

I realised saying she works in mental health but not a caring role is a bit of a oxymoron but her actually role is very specific!

Hi OP,

I am making a similar change, from part time self employed and bored, to now approaching my 3rd year of a radiography degree.

I am mid 40s, one secondary age child, DH working from home. I have absolutely no regrets and love what I am doing. It has been hard work, and was a huge change for the family with a few bumps along the way. I am now working part time in a role related to my future job, in a hospital, so am getting practical experience outside uni too.

I can't advise you on mental health nursing personally, but have a good friend who did this and it is very hands on with patient contact and drug administration. Another relative is going down the psychology degree route, but once you have the degree it is hard to get a job within the NHS without some experience of working or volunteering within mental health care. It is definitely possible though, with motivation and a sense of putting yourself first. Maybe get some work experience in a hospital environment just a day or two? I did this and it gives a better idea of what the job is all about.

Do your research and talk to others who are studying or working in mental health for their opinion. I am very excited about my future career and would highly recommend this type of career change at this point in your life.

Good luck!

Thank you everyone for taking the time to reply, you've given me lots to think about.

@C152H
That sounds great. Upholstery is such an interesting process, it sounds like you really enjoy it. I do wonder if I would miss being creative in such a different role to what I do now. I have thought about art therapy, so perhaps I should explore that as I don't really know what it involves. And thanks for the tip of working for a charity too. I had a quick look at mind, and while there is nothing near me I will find out what else might be an option within the charity sector.

@Buyitinbamboo
Thanks for your input too. After doing some further reading around mental health nursing I was coming to that conclusion, so thanks for sharing and confirming that for me.

@coefficientquery
Thanks for sharing your experiences too. I'm so glad you're enjoying it, really inspiring! Working and studying is ideal, and before I embark on training I will look more into gaining some practical experience of something. I've also been looking at admin supporting roles for the care sector, seeing what's involved in the job description. It's thrown up some other interesting care related job options too. And also the work experience tip.

Mainly you've all reassured me that I am not mad to be considering this, and confirmed that I do need to take action now if I want my life to look different in 3 years time. Thank you :)

You could think about related disciplines where you're a caring professional but don't have to give injections. Mental health social work and occupational therapy are both rewarding careers

Mother and sister are both MH nurses and seriously disillusioned with this career choice. If I were you I would get some experience in a psychiatric unit as a support worker. Then make your mind up.

I am also a fashion designer and planning a career change. For me the main reasons are: getting told my new design job had been cancelled just before the lockdown leaving me unemployed. More importantly the realistation of how evil the industry is. I think lockdown has given me time to reflect and realise I can no longer be a part of a chain which is so cruel and exploitive to other human beings and animals. It is something I had at the back of my mind from the beginning leaving me questioning why I am doing this at the end of every shift. The culture of my last work place was no one cared about each other so I will be glad to be out of that vibe.

I too have thought about mental health funnily enough! Like you though I am admittedly a bit introverted so I have also investigated roles such as radiography, occupational therapy and dietetics because there is slightly less intense 24/7 interaction. I do know other family and friends members who work as nurses who are more introverted like us though and they still have great success ad fulfilment. They have found working in a community setting accommodated their personality type a bit more. So even if you do train as a nurse and find the hospital setting isn't for you perhaps you could consider community nursing. Generally they all say its a good idea to do some work experience first to be sure you will feel fulfilled with the job. The good thing about the NHS is job stability, a reasonable reliable salary, sick pay when necessary. My mum who works in the NHS works in a nice supportive team with fair management. She tells me she has a good work life balance and feels fulfilled with her role.

Good luck with your career change :)