am i being an old fool

Before you commit yourself to 5 years of study, it may be a good idea to see whether you can get work experience in midwifery where you shadow a midwife and see what the work really involves.

I looked online and there is a company which provides 2 weeks pre med work experience in London or Thailand.

My younger sister, living overseas, worked as a nurse but she has recently retired age 58.

She started nursing very young. After her O levels she joined the school of nursing and did a three years nursing diploma.

I’ve recently been a birth partner to a young friend and while the midwives were wonderful I can also see how much as a new mum my friend valued her Doulah. She had day and night Doulahs who were both mature women with lots of experience supporting the choices she made and helping her make those voices work. Doulahs are wonderful and if I was ten years younger ( 58!) I’d take it on a my third career!

Absolutely not , I had 3 children , first one delivered by an older midwife and it was a most positive experience . Go for it , you'll be fab

53! You are a spring chicken. And there is a shortage of midwives. You have a duty to the nation to train.

Love this …Go for it ..,If it doesn’t work out hey ho 🩷💜💚

Same here! 53, always wanted to be a psychologist. Would qualify when I'm 57. Applying now.... if I can do it, believe me, so can you! Go for it!

Go for it if that’s your dream and it’s possible. Wishing you the best of luck

Fill out the application and don’t look back!!! You won’t regret it and will thoroughly enjoy the journey!! I’m proud of you!

I so wish I had retrained as a midwife twenty years ago when I began working as a doula in my early 40s. Promise me you won’t hesitate to start training now!

Definitely go for it. The life skills you'll have acquired will equip you well for the role

Do it!

Absolutely go for it!

Go for it I qualified as a nursery nurse mid 40’s never looked back.

Have a big think after reading these posts then if you still want to "Let them reject you, not you them" before you even apply.

How fabulous- go for it - my retirement age will be 67 so you would have over 10 years left anyway to share your expertise ❤️

All those life experiences are transferable skill and a huge value in any work place. Its heartwarming to know that despite all the negativity around nursing and NHS that someone with a genuine passion to nurse may soon join other trainees.

This may not be totally PC, but, I'd far rather have a mature MUM, nurse/midwife, with life experience helping me deliver my baby, than someone with a zillion paper qualifications, but who actually doesn't know what I'm going through. Go for it, enjoy this new adventure. Good Luck

Never too late. Follow your dream. Good luck.

Absolutely go for it!! You bring your life experience and compassion to the job and they’ll be lucky to have you.
My DH was conferred a Doctorate yesterday, a mature student aged 67!! Never too late!

Go for it. You’ll regret if you don’t.
Best wishes.

Definitely- never too late! Go for it! If you do not at least try then you will always regret it! Good luck!

Go for it a million times. You only come this way once. Realise your dream.

Theres plenty of older students in both nursing and midwifery.
Go for it

During the birth of my first child I would have much preferred an older midwife with experience of childbirth. I didn't much appreciate being told that I was imagining pain and it was 'only' contractions. Luckily with my second child, I had a lovely midwife who told me this was her first delivery solo, she was an older nurse with a family of her own, very gentle and she made such a difference. Go for it, the NHS will be lucky to have you

Do it! And wishing you all the happiness and fulfilment in the World! xxx