My friend recently got her PhD in technology and ed curriculum – age mid-50s. She is an attorney and runs the paralegal program at our CC. She also helps with accreditation a for the U.
@veruca . If you have the motivation (and money) you can do it!
I returned to school to complete my bachelor’s degree in Feb 2013. I was and am working full time as an IT program manager. I attended Colorado state university’s online program. Luckily I only needed 16 classes for my B.S. degree. I took a 2 month break and rolled into their masters program in IT Management and finished that last June. I applied and was accepted into Capitol technology university’s Management and Decision Sciences PhD program which I should finish by August 2018 and I’m giving myself until Dec 2018 to defend my dissertation.
It has been very stressful as my H was also going through rectal cancer, chemo treatment, radiation treatment, then recurring anal cancer, surgery for an osteomyelitis and then pages disease (a peri analysis skin cancer). Currently my life is work, school, homework, travel for work about once per quarter. I have no life, but it will be worth it in the long run. I will be 54 next month. It is possible but you need to be aware that it takes a LOT of time. Just keep an eye on your long term goals and take a break once in while and do something for yourself.
I’ve considered going back to school but can’t figure out what I’d want to study so have just kept running my nonprofit as it is. I have most of the skills I need and am content with what we do.
I give folks who opt to go back to school credit. Our neighbor went back to school and got a MD degree after her youngest kid finished college. She practiced palliative care medicine for years and now is a medical director for insurer.
And I take French classes for a hobby! Now in my 4th semester, in a Junior level literature course.
@sylvan8798 most doctors offices would hire LPNs, or CMAs (Certified Medical Assistants) for much less pay than an RN would make at a hospital. I am impressed with your Hobby. wow
@ChuckleDoodle -wow - you are amazing. Hugs to your husband I hope he is doing well.
I went back to school at 40 and finished my Bachelors (Behaviorak Science, minor Adolescent Psych) and four years ago became a licensed social worker. That being said, people aren’t just handing out jobs to women in their mid-fifties with little career experience in the field. I’ve had two different jobs since getting my license, one working with the elderly population and the other with developmentally disabled adults. Both have since ended d/t budget cuts. They were both lucrative second jobs so I don’t regret spending the $20K and three years of part-time school, not to mention my “field hours”, but I’ve yet to secure that full-time good paying position I was aiming for.
Veruca- I just want to encourage you to go for it!!! You can do it. Don’t let fear stand in your way. A year from now, you will done with re-training and working in whatever job. Once you are back in the swing of things you can find your niche. Go for it!!!
Veruca, how much money and how much time would it take? What else are you juggling in your life? Would it be a pleasure or a burden to do this? And how important is the extra money?
I just started taking a few history classes at a local uni. I wanted to see if I could do it, be on a school schedule, be a student. I am having a ball! Being a student with the internet is so much easier and more interesting than being a student without it was. Although I must admit I am intimidated by all the tech involved, too. Trying to decide if I want to get a masters or just take classes.
Veruca, as Mr. B said, taking a “gap year” to decide whether you want to go to college or not is not wise for a middle aged woman - a year later she will be a year older and still have no degree. 
He has been my rock and my biggest cheerleader during the entire ordeal (it also helped that he has experienced going back to school to get his business degree while working full time).
Not me but I have know someone who was a medical assistant of some sort but is now (late 40s) continuing her education to be an RN. My SIL went back to school in her 40’s to become a teacher, as did someone at church. Another FB friend is going back to college.
I’m pondering my options. At the moment I’ve been at home as long as I worked (9.5 years each). My degree is in chemical engineering but the latter half of my working time was spent doing business planning and decision analysis. Without an MBA I wouldn’t be hired to do that work now, and I’ve forgotten too many of the technical skills to be hired as an engineer. It would be great if I could get some kind of meaningful work with just my degree and my stale experience, and I may explore those options after S goes off to college in 2018. I’m not sure I have the fortitude to get an MBA but we’ll be moving close to the University of Houston after S leaves…if not an MBA maybe one of their other programs would work for me.
I switched to part time teaching (then eventually took time off) when my oldest entered middle school. After my youngest entered HS, I decided to take on more days at work. This year, I’ve also taken advantage of the professional development conferences and classes and feel like I have a renewed interest in a post-kids career.
Thanks everyone! The re-entry programs aren’t too expensive. I am just worried that no one will want a to hire me when I finish. I am also a bit intimidated by the whole thing
@veruca, have you kept your license up to date and just need a refresher course for employment?
Are there any free clinics in your area who need RN volunteers, where you can ease into responsibilities and gain some current recommendations?
I have not kept my license up to date- but after so much time I would need the refresher either way.
When you take the re-entry classe you can get your license reinstated . I would take about 4 months.
Volunteering is a good idea
Lots of places hire their volunteers if they have the budget and it’s a good fit between personnel.
You might want to look into becoming a certified tumor registrar. The pay isn’t great, but it’s a low-pressure career that can be continued into old age, if necessary. The training is short and cheap for someone with a medical background who can get out of most prerequisites.
@twinsmama - I am not familiar with that at all. Off to google! Thanks1
@verruca PM me if you want more info…