Nick Dowling spent decades in manufacturing and consultancy. The Covid pandemic opened his eyes to other possibilities, though he knew he’d be starting from scratch
Nick Dowling was the only person in the doctor’s waiting room when the practice nurse came out, glanced around and said to the receptionist with a confused look: “I was expecting to meet a student here.” Dowling raised his hand. At 60, he has undertaken an apprenticeship and hopes to qualify as a registered nursing associate this autumn.
Dowling had worked for decades in engineering and manufacturing, but his latest placements have taken him from a general practice to a psychiatric unit, from ward nursing to urgent treatment centres. Sometimes the shifts are 12 hours long, and, at £14 an hour, pay less than he has earned in decades. So why is he doing it?
Tell us: has your life taken a new direction after the age of 60?
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