I'm 56 want to be be a nurse, anyone else out there?

Thank you all for your responses!

Fiona and Sharrie, I appreciate your bluntness. I have weighed up all the things you have said and agree...other than the fact that in the UK now, retirement age has gone up and I will have to work till 64, almost 65. But as you say, Sharrie, the mind may be willing but the body may let me down Plus of course, who is going to employ me. Having said that, my work options whilst not being the same as younger nurses, may give me opportunities I might not otherwise have. Nonetheless, age is an issue. I don't have to worry about student loans, we are offered a small bursary and tuition fees are paid, another reason though why I may not even be offered a place. With the recession and so many graduates out of work, places are competitive.

I sent off my application for 2010 entry just recently, but now seem to have a 'cold water thrown at me' realisation (not from you, but my own thoughts), that perhaps I am not being practical.

I am looking at other options and looking for work, and trying to remain positive. I didn't expect to be doing this at my age, but when my husband left me 5 years ago, and all the financial security I had worked for, plus looking after my autistic daughter (so worked when and where I could)...was lost. So instead of enjoying a reasonable retirement, I have to start again. I just thought if I did something I really wanted to do, it would be less painful.

But, time to accept my limitations, which centre on age, sadly.

Thanks again for taking the time to respond.

Denise