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Am I mad?!

Am I mad to start a course in Mental Health Nursing (BSc) this September, at the age of 45, with no care experience, and giving up a (fairly) well-paid job?

I love working with people and really want to learn new skills and knowledge, but is this a step too far?

Reply 1

WrexhamUniReps

Official Rep

Original post by TomTom1708!

Am I mad to start a course in Mental Health Nursing (BSc) this September, at the age of 45, with no care experience, and giving up a (fairly) well-paid job?
I love working with people and really want to learn new skills and knowledge, but is this a step too far?

Hi @TomTom1708! 👋

You are not mad for wanting to pursue your passion for the Mental Health Nursing field at all! Mental Health Nursing is a very rewarding career, and we would encourage everyone - regardless of age - to explore their passions and try something new.

It doesn't matter that you don't have care experience - many Mental Health Nursing courses offer voluntary work experience/placements which allow you to gain hands-on experience in the field, equipping you with the knowledge and skills to pursue a career upon completion of the course.

Do you have a university in mind that you would like to study at? If you choose to study Mental Health Nursing in Wales, you may be eligible for an NHS bursary to cover all costs if you agree to work in Wales for two years upon completing your course. You'll be able to find out more about this here if you are interested: https://wrexham.ac.uk/nhs-funding/

Best of luck in your future endeavours! 😃

Lauren
WrexhamUniReps

Reply 2

TomTom1708!

Thanks Lauren,
I have a place in England, though am concerned at the thought of giving up my current job to do a 3-year degree which will incur masses of debt. Need to decide tomorrow really!!

Reply 3

WrexhamUniReps

Official Rep

Not a problem. It's completely normal to feel conflicted and unsure of whether you are making the right choice, but if MHN is where your passion lies, I would say go for it! Alternatively, if your worries persist, is there any way you could perhaps work part time at your current job alongside doing the degree? Many of our mature students decide to work part time and study part time to maintain a balance.

Lauren

Reply 4

PonchoKid

Original post by TomTom1708!

Am I mad to start a course in Mental Health Nursing (BSc) this September, at the age of 45, with no care experience, and giving up a (fairly) well-paid job?
I love working with people and really want to learn new skills and knowledge, but is this a step too far?

Im just going into 3rd year mental health nursing and i promise you you wont be alone.

I thought i was a bit bonkers to leave my stable job at 31 and go to uni, and thought id be almost aline with being mature and not make friends.
But was 100% the right choice, the mojority of my course (and field) are mature students who have left a veriety of jobs, some no healthcare experience like myswlf, others in managerial roles, social works, archiologists... iv met some amazing friends, and my life experience has really helped me i think.

Reply 5

normaw

Volunteer Section Leader, Clearing and Applications Advisor

Original post by TomTom1708!

No you're not mad - there are example on this forum of mature students in their 50s retraining in healthcare. :smile:

In terms of finance, are you aware that you will be able to apply to the NHS Learning Support Fund for the annual training grant of £5k plus the specialist subject payment (for MH nursing) of £1k per year? This is in addition to the student finance you will be eligible for.

https://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/nhs-learning-support-fund-lsf

Reply 6

TomTom1708!

Hi. Thanks for your reply.
Yes indeed, I am quite familiar with the available funding. It just still seems a bit light compared to recent earnings!

Reply 7

MonoStereo

Original post by TomTom1708!

Am I mad to start a course in Mental Health Nursing (BSc) this September, at the age of 45, with no care experience, and giving up a (fairly) well-paid job?
I love working with people and really want to learn new skills and knowledge, but is this a step too far?

Hi TomTom

You are not made at all! I'm guessing you've just got the point where you've been thinking "Is this it for my life?"

And you want a new challenge, probably something that you'd be more passionate about than your existing job.

Taking the plunge is hard, really hard, and it's not really the studying that will be the issue, it's more the jump between old and new life and the decision to do it. I went through something relatively similar and I'm now the other side with a First and gone on to study a Master's (which still seems mad to me)!

As corny as it sounds, I feel like a different person, it's really hard to describe but it's made me feel more in control of myself, I think it's to do with finally being able to do what you want to do, instead of having to do things (or a job) because you have to.

I'd say to make your decision, make a list of pros and cons. Also make sure you include what happens if you stay in your job? Will you be as happy and fulfilled compared to your new potential career? (It may be you love your existing job though). With regards to earnings, will you have enough to live on? Remember it's kind of a temporary change, 3 years will fly by! Maybe your new career won't pay as much, but will you be more fulfilled, and therefore feel happier and more alive?

Wishing you the best of luck.

(edited 8 months ago)

Reply 8

TomTom1708!

Hi there.
You seem to know me extremely well!!
The whole prospect of retraining is indeed utterly terrifying. I've been in my current job for 16 long years, and a change is definitely necessary. I almost feel guilty for not earning money (though I will have to work part-time), and am hoping to be able to keep paying the mortgage.
That said, I am so curious about all things healthcare, and fascinated by mental health (conditions, issues etc), so would love to explore it all!
Many thanks for your advice.

Reply 9

MidxL

Hi tom tom, you said you have no experience, so how did you get on the course?

Reply 10

TomTom1708

Hi. I must have other attributes that impressed the interviewer! They were keen for life experience and working with people generally. I get the feeling that nursing courses struggle to recruit enough students...

Reply 11

University of Bradford

Official Rep

Original post by TomTom1708!

Am I mad to start a course in Mental Health Nursing (BSc) this September, at the age of 45, with no care experience, and giving up a (fairly) well-paid job?
I love working with people and really want to learn new skills and knowledge, but is this a step too far?

Hey @TomTom1708!

Did you decide to go for it?! 🙂

Becky

Reply 12

TomTom1708!

Original post by University of Bradford

Hey @TomTom1708!
Did you decide to go for it?! 🙂
Becky

I bottled it in the end! But I have deferred until next year, so will hopefully feel more comfortable with the whole process in the near future.

Reply 13

University of Bradford

Official Rep

Original post by TomTom1708!

I bottled it in the end! But I have deferred until next year, so will hopefully feel more comfortable with the whole process in the near future.

Don't worry about being scared to do it right now, it just means it wasn't the right time then, like you say you could be feeling a lot more comfortable and confident next year and that will end up being the right time. Wishing you the best of luck with everything :smile:

Have a lovely week

Becky