Would you consider this job at 55?

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I've always been interested in being an ambulance call handler. I've never applied before as I'm a lone parent so couldn't do the shifts.

DD is now old enough to leave alone and will go to uni next year. I've now applied, passed the tests and have an interview lined up. I've seen the shift pattern and there are 14 different shifts! I naively thought they would be straight 12 hour shifts, as did all the other people at the assessment tests, they were as shocked as me at the shift pattern.

It will be an hour drive each way for me to get there, there are 12 hour shifts, but some are 5pm -3am or 6pm - 1am and there are 14 different timed shifts.

I'm 55 and people are saying I'm too old for this kind of pressure, plus I know it will be a stressful job. I'm in turmoil of whether to go for the interview or just leave it and accept it may be too much.

What do you think, would you do it at 55?

If it has always been a dream
of yours, then perhaps you could give it a go for a certain length of time and see how you feel. I don’t think 55 is ‘too old’ but at any age a two hour round trip to work and v anti-social hours will take their toll.

What do you think about the shift pattern? What others think is immaterial unless they have experience they can tell you about which might help you with your decision. What relevance is your age? Do you think you're too old to work shifts or is there something else on your mind?

I imagine lots of people have similar concerns. Is there someone already working there you can talk to as part of the recruitment process?

I think the shift pattern is awful, I can't get my head around why they need 14 different times. Straight 12 hour shifts would make more sense, but I'm not clued up on staffing a control centre.

I did shifts for 18 years when I was younger, I was fine with it then. I'm just scared of letting this opportunity pass by, but scared it will be too much.

Do you feel old at 55?! Honestly, if this has been your dream for so long, just go for it and give it a go. I think you'd regret it if you didn't.

I suspect it’s because they need a certain number of staff available at all times and having one or two change overs affects that.

Go for it OP. If you feel like you’ll be able to handle it then go for it! Worst case you find out it’s not for you and you leave but at least you gave it a try!

I'd give it a try. It may be that if the shifts don't work for you you could request a flexible shift pattern once you've been there a while.

Give it a try - you may find a pattern which works for you. Suspect they are worked around busy& quiet times. Btw I know someone who trained as a paramedic at a similar age to you.

Go for it, if you don’t like it then look for something else. Life is for living and grabbing opportunities.

I think you should give it a try. Worst thing that could happen is that it doesn't work out and you hate it and decide to quit. At least you'll then know that it wasn't for you.

Yes I would - you have experience and I don't see why younger people would remain calmer? Saying this as someone nearing 50.

I bet you'll be great!

Totally agree!

Do it. We only live once!

Did they give you any indication of whether you can choose to only be on 12 hour shifts, on a set shift pattern or whether it will be random and variable week by week?

Am same age and considering a career change, similarly now kids don’t need me so much. I personally wouldn’t want that length of commute combined with the shift pattern - but then I’ve never thought about being an ambulance call handler. But you might love it. (I’m thinking about retraining as a teacher, which also isn’t for everyone and I’m realising that there is no way of knowing ahead of time if I’ll be good at it/enjoy it - so going through the process is part of making the decision).

Could you give yourself a mental deadline and see if you actually like the job? Could you make changes to make it work better? Could you live closer during the week? Be part time? Combine being part time in this with whatever you do now?

I’m 52 and I think I’d probably struggle with the overnight working more than anything else, especially with an hours drive home. I cope with stress quite well, so I don’t think that would put me off.

if it’s something you really want, don’t let others put you off. the idea that you’re too old and you’ve got to settle for a nice easy little job at 55 is nonsense.

Go for it OP especially if it’s been a dream of yours! Also if you find out it’s not for you it may open other, less stressful doors for you. Good luck. Xxx

Apart from the drive, which would put me off, go for it.

Not too dissimilar, however I'm slightly younger, but I changed career to a police controller (dispatcher) last year at 45. It is shift work (10 day rolling pattern- 2 days starting early mornings, 2 back shifts, 2 overnight shifts then 4 days off). The shifts/cover/handover do make sense (to me) once you've been there a while and understand why it is staffed/rota'd in that way.

The shift work is brutal and I still have younger dependant primary age children but I love the job so much that it is worth it (to me). I love being (a very small) part of the emergency services. I'd suggest giving it a go (at least 18 months) and seeing how you like it/it suits you.

Good luck!

They can't do straight 12 hour all the time as others have said because you can't have the handover downtime. There will be peak times when more call handlers are needed and lower demand times when they don't need as many. The different shifts will be to allow for that.

I would still go for it if that is your dream because the variety of shift patterns will likely also mean opportunities for flexible working and for people to have shift patterns that meet their needs.

Absolutely go for it and see what happens. It's been your dream and now you have the chance. It may be that you can express a preference for shifts or get a clear pattern you can adjust to. I hope you go for it, get it and love it!!!

I’d go for it - you’ll regret it if you don’t at least give it a go. Can you move closer to the base so the commute is less? That might be the issue after a long shift. 55 isn’t old ffs, you’ll be great!

If you've always wanted to do it, I'd give it a go. I think you'll regret it otherwise.

An hour's drive is fairly long but you get used to it, I do 1.5 hours each way. Just fill your time listening to music and podcasts whilst you drive.

Also, I don't think 55 is old - you have at least 12 years to retirement!

I'd definitely give it a go OP.

I think those shifts seem better than the 12 hours you expected? I understand doing a variety of different shifts can be annoying but it can work well to have time off during the week for some things - getting to appts etc.

I'd keep going and if after you've given it a good try, it is too much for you, then look at trying something else. Its been a dream, and dreams arent easy, but they are often worth it

Give it a go! If it becomes to much you can always leave. At least you won't spend the rest of your life wondering 'what if......?'

As for your age. Your 55. Over 10 years before you even start to think about retirement yet!

I don't have any experience of an emergency call centre. But I'm guessing it's a full of high stress and pressure. So small shifts rather than long ones are more beneficial.

I day go for it!! You've done amazing to get this far