Byatt

No, not too late! And well done you for deciding to go for it! The things in life you regret are the things people dissuaded you from doing against your will. Don't be like me looking back and wishing that you had done what you wanted to do, not what others told you, you wanted! If you don't like it, then that is not failure; it means you have come to the decision yourself. Good luck!

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 :)

I'm 56, live in the UK and thinking, well more than thinking, have applied, for nursing training. I have just graduated with a degree in Health & Social Care Management because I thought I had to be practical, but realise my dream is nursing. I don't think you're nuts :wink2:, as another poster said, you will be 56 one day and looking back, wondering why you didn't do it when you were 54! (paraphrased). Good luck!! edited to add, don't underestimate your capabilities. I didn't think I was able enough to get a degree but here I am. And done going through an awful divorce, bringing up my autistic daughter and selling and moving house twice, by myself! Go for it!!

I have just graduated with a Health & Social Care Management degree, but realise, maybe too late, that nursing is my dream. It may just be a pipe dream. I have applied to UCAS today, but really would like to know if there are any others around my age, training...or planning to train. :typing

and I need some support. I seem to be the oldest person I know here in the UK who wants to become a student nurse. I'm told by the unis it's not a problem, but still think it might be. I'm waiting for our university site UCAS to open for applications, possibly tomorrow, so I can apply. I have gone from thinking of doing MH, to LD's (my daughter is on the autistic spectrum) and now Adult nursing as I think it will give me more options plus, I may get into that, whereas the others are much harder. I know there is a thread somewhere for older nurses but can't find it now. I worry about the usual ageing things and wonder if I'm being unrealistic to consider nursing. I have a degree in Health and Social Care, recently graduated, but there's no unis in my area that do the graduate nursing programme so I will have to do the 3 years. I wish I'd started before my degree but at the time, was going through an awful divorce with all the stuff that goes with it, and absolutely no financial support for myself and daughter. We lost our home but I still carried on with my degree. However, I still want to be a nurse, it would be easier if I didn't, and just can't seem to let go of the dream. But is that all it is? A dream? Just scared to death as well at the thought of another 3 years of study and placements!!:confused: