Carol shares honours with daughter

Carol Smith suffered two major setbacks while studying - the breakdown of her 20 year marriage and breast cancer

Following successful treatment, Carol returned to her Diploma in Adult Nursing and went on to graduate.

And her recent graduation day was made even more special, as her daughter Kelly Goodlad received her own Diploma in Adult Nursing on the same day.

Carol, 41, from Peterlee, County Durham, now works on Ward 29 at The James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough.

Always wanted to be a nurse Carol said: ‘I’d always wanted to be a nurse but didn’t stick in at school. For ten years I looked after my youngest child, Jake and then started an Access Course at Durham and Houghall College. At the same time Kelly was doing her A levels and we started the Diplomas at the University together.

‘My marriage break up made me determined to succeed so I could provide for my son, but the cancer diagnosis changed things totally. I had never been more determined to achieve anything, not for my family but for me. I now really understood how important it was for nurses to be caring, compassionate and provide care of the highest standard possible.

‘When I returned to the course, Kelly and I both got stressed along the way and kept each going all the way through. There were a lot of late nights on the computer! But I’m so pleased we graduated together.’

Kelly 23, also from Peterlee, works in Ward 3 at the University Hospital of North Durham. She said: ‘We were in most of the same classes and we’re more like best friends who could support one another. I also had to take time out of the Diploma, to have my daughter Madison who’s now two. I was off on maternity leave when my Mam was ill as my appendix ruptured when I was 23 weeks pregnant so had to take leave early.

I love the job ‘But the study has been worth it and so good to share my graduation with Mam after all the heartache. Like Mam, I’ve always wanted to be a nurse; I love the satisfaction of doing something for other people. I work in a hectic environment but I love the job.’

Both Carol and Kelly aim to return to the University to top-up their Diplomas to degree level. Carol added: ‘Being a nurse is in my heart, I really enjoy the role. I love going to work and miss it when I’m not there!”

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