am i being an old fool

It’s never too late! I always wanted to be a midwife but life got in the way….and yes I do regret not going for it. Good luck x

Go for it!

Think of all the experiences you could bring to your new role- a labouring woman might well be comforted by your obvious maturity. Good luck .

Oh go for it!
Midwifery would have been wonderful, another here who didn’t complete nurse training, continued however in an allied healthcare setting.
You have probably got 10 years + post qualification that will include updates so you do have time.

Carpe Diem!!!!!

Here you go

www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-7001295/Former-banker-abandoned-80K-year-career-achieve-dream-midwife-aged-61.html?ito=rss-flipboard

You are never too old go for it women need you!

Go for it finns your life experience as well as your training will be invaluable.
Good luck.

Definitely go for it.
I know a nurse who didn't complete her training, but after other jobs, returned and retrained at least twenty years later, and another nurse who qualified in her twenties, then trained as a teacher but returned to nursing in her late fifties, just in time for the pandemic.
Both thoroughly enjoyed it and are still working.

Go for it ! Wonderful job !

I would never have successfully breast fed three children had it been left to the young whippersnapper of a sister who was ‘supporting’ me. Next day she was replaced by a much older nurse, who instantly made me feel much more relaxed, and got me off to a flying start.
Another vote for ‘go for it’!

definitely go for it.. you bring wisdom and compassion alongside your other numerous skills

It may be too late to find employment when you are qualified, as the cult of the young is still in full blast if you are over 50 and looking for any kind of job.

But don't let that stop you.

The satisfaction of finally qualifying as the midwife you have always wanted to be will be immense, and during your training you may well meet people who will realise that you have valuable experience and be happy to employ you as soon as you qualify.

If not, and you are willing to travel, I doubt that Doctors without Borders, The Red Cross or any other organizations that provides health care where the need is greatest will cavil at your age.

Go for it, and good luck!

What about training to be a doula?

Yes- go for it and good luck, hope it all pans out for you!

the nhs is so short staffed, they don't care what age people are.
plenty of jobs vacant.

I got the best career I ever had had aged 53/4 And had 15/16 years working within it

You must go for it , women will be lucky to have you!!

I’d say definitely go for it - I’m nearly 61 and am about to start a PhD at university in October. Never too old!

Far be it to rain on any one's parade but I sense that maybe you are looking at this dream through rose tinted glasses.
I am a registered nurse and have worked for the NHS continuously for 42 years.
Working within the NHS is incredibly stressful, short staffed and many other negatives. Will you be prepared for the long shifts and internal rotation, revalidation with the NMC and continual practice development, accountability when things go wrong and lack of support from management?
I work alongside a nurse who gave up her midwifery qualification, I believe she did so because of the amount of social problems she was encountering and lack of support.
Also after 60 your own health will start to suffer from the work load and stress. I am 61 and most of my colleagues are MUCH younger and more inclined towards IT work rather than actual hands on bedside nursing. I find I never have time off when I'm not worrying about an issue or problem at work
I do wish you well if you go for it but would urge you to consider your own health and well being first.

I qualified as a Mental Health Nurse at the age of 53 and my only regret was I should have done it years ago. Absolutely go for it - wishing you the very best of luck

ladies you are all incredible ! amazing experiences and stories !

Just to touch on a few points generally raised about my experience and ideas ha ! I did start a placement many moons ago on the maternity ward and experienced a live birth ! but left before any c- section experience (never had a section myself) but went on to all of my own births - became a breast feeding peer supporter at the local children’s centre with the new mums (no matter what the feeding choices were) and also went into support female victims of crime with victim support: alongide my own female friends and family and their own experiences as a mum and a birthing partner. I have many friends in the NHS some without degrees who have worked to managerial positions and are in love with the roles and some who have left nursing disillusioned with the current NHS as it stands. i’ve had many salty old stories of how rubbish it all is and how could anyone cope in the current circumstances. But fundamentally if no one wants to support women at their most vulnerable (ie NHS shortages ) what is the answer ? don’t bother at all ?

I am a retired midwife & health visitor, and am with those who say 'think carefully'.
I dn't think your age is the slightest barrier to training, but you need to consider:
1. You don't mention funding, and you need to think about it.
2. Midwifery is mostly a physically demanding job.
3. Mental resilience - given your family experience, I think you are better placed than many to cope; and I have found that 'latecomers' to the NHS are sometimes better able to weather the difficulties than those of us whose whole working life has been bound up in it.

I do think that considering being a doula or breastfeeding supporter would be worthwhile, but I do get that it may not give you what you are looking for.
Considerng how long the process takes, I think you could just begin your application, which will, I think help you to make up your mind.

Go for it. You wouldn’t want to look back in a few years time and say I wish I’d done it. Wishing you good luck. You can do it.

Go for it - you are young enough to realise your dreams. Good luck !