Lawyer to vet nurse, over 50 ? Am I nuts ?

[PlanZed]

I am about to turn 50 and am sick of working in law. Have always loved animals esp horses, have lots of practical experience, am fit and resilient. Often treated like crap in my current work so not afraid of that. Nor of physical labour, long hours or cleaning up poo and puke. I'm not squeamish and am good with stressed dogs, horses and (usually) people.

If I work my arse off in law for the next 5 years I should be able to pay off our mortgage. I'm thinking then of qualifying as a vet nurse via an apprenticeship and working as an RVN for as long as I physically can. I just can't face doing law until I retire (or drop dead).

Has anyone made this kind of change? Is it a really stupid idea ?

You don’t have to be an RVN to work with animals in a veterinary facility, and the activities you describe are more what an animal care assistant would do, which doesn’t require particular qualifications. Being an RVN is a skilled role that involves lots of medical intervention such as managing fluid therapy for inpatients. You should think about whether that is what you want to do. Both roles are paid terribly for the workload, but you would have to pay for training as an RVN surely, unless you could find a company to sponsor you, which might be tricky. I suggest you start by asking for work experience at a local practice and seeing what you think of it in real life. Also, at the timescale you mention, you would be nearly 60 when you qualify. I’m a nearly 60 year old vet, and my eyesight, dexterity and mobility are not what they were 30 years ago, although not bad for my age. I’m not sure I’d fancy developing that sort of skillset from scratch at my time of life, though. Lots to consider.

I’ve had a career change at similar age, it was such a boost to my mental health. I love working in the field I am in and it doesn’t feel like “work” often. I think if your heart is in it, go for it!

Semi-retiring and opening a doggy day care or similar might be less stressful than working in a vet practice.

If you are fit then go for it. However working with animals is extremely demanding on your body particularly your back so if you already have back issues I would not recommend. Maybe a admin role in a vets better in that case.

Poor pay, poor support, angry clients who can be quite abusive (especially when they have no money to pay for their pet's treatment), long hours (most clinics open 9-7, many do weekends and our of hours).

Honestly? I'd never recommend it.

I'd consider other jobs working with animals

Thank you all. Very helpful. Much appreciated.

My friend did this, went from being a specialist nurse to being a vet nurse. She lasted 6 months! Nothing was as she imagined it to be and left very disillusioned.

I am all for going for something rather than not and having regret. Could you possibly go part time and start getting experience/studying in the field you want to go in so that way you can test whether it’s something you definitely want to pursue. The mortgage is still reducing and if you decide to leave the legal profession you’re going into the new one more experienced, higher salary than a newbie etc

Following with interest because I’m a similar age and also want to escape law!

I was a VN for over 25 years and I packed it in as I really was getting too old at the age of 45 to manage all the lifting, bending, holding things in awkward positions for ages, scrabbling on the floor, rushing all the time, absolutely shit pay, long hours, couldn't bear being on call in the nights, couldn't remember things like I used to and sick of some clients who complained endlessly and were really, really difficult. It's pretty stressful OP.

The pay is peanuts so if you are used to a certain income level you may want to consider how this would affect you.

You'd be lucky to be on 30k even in the South as a qualified VN, unqualified roles would be min wage or slightly above.

I'd stick with law and go part time if you can and volunteer for an animal charity on my day(s) off.

Aren't you scared the animals will bite you? I think anyone dealing with injured animals must be very brave.

I left vet nursing a few years ago and honestly I wouldn't recommend it, poor pay, long hours and it's a very physical job, most RVNs leave the profession as they get older. Its stressful and the customers treat you badly (the humans, not the animals!) and the constant cries of how vets are ripping every one off really hurts tbh!

Thanks everyone, especially those who have done the job. Lots of food for thought and the reality check I needed. !

After a long career in business I retrained as a teacher aged 52(53when I qualified). Did a few a few years doing supply teaching and then got a permanent job age 56 on a fab independent school where am still teaching 6 years later. Have a lot more energy as a newish teacher than those who have done it for years. Employers do like older career changers for that reason. Go for it!!!

100% this. I've been an RVN for 10 years and am now looking to get out. The stress, responsibility and abuse from clients is just not worth it for the tiny amount of pay we get. I'll miss the animals but that's about all I'll miss!

I would encourage you to go for it! I worked in marketing and was suffering from burnout at age 50. Thankfully mortgage paid off and children at the point of becoming financially independent. I wanted to do something totally different and thought long and hard about what I really wanted to do. Realised I’d always wanted to work in the police, I had been a special Constable in my 20s but I didn’t join the police then due to meeting my husband. I’m due to start my training as a PCSO in a few weeks time. I had a lot of comments from my old colleagues that I was brave to do it. I don’t feel brave at all, I feel excited and relieved that I took the decision and decided to put myself first for once; probably for the first time in 30 years! Good luck with what you decide to do.