Ruth realises her caring ambition

In her teens Ruth Noble decided to aim for a caring career; either as a teacher or a nurse. She chose nursing, and has achieved her goal by graduating from the University of Teesside today with an Advanced Diploma in Nursing Studies (Adult). Ruth, 26, of Fitzwilliam Street, Redcar, also clinched her first post as a Staff Nurse at North Tees General Hospital in Stockton, working in the Acute Admissions ward.

After leaving West Redcar Secondary School, Ruth worked in several care homes in Redcar and Saltburn, while continuing her studies part-time at both Sir William Turner’s Sixth Form and Cleveland Technical College. At the age of 23 she decided the time was right to enrol on the Diploma course.

Ruth said: “I found being a full-time student quite difficult at first, but the lecturers were helpful and approachable. There was also a good mix of young and older students on the course which made it easy for me to adjust.”

She found the course placements at North Tees, South Cleveland, Hartlepool and Darlington Memorial hospitals invaluable. Ruth said: “Working in the hospitals gave us the practical opportunity to apply theory. My placements were in a variety of settings, including paediatrics, mental health and general nursing. I found the palliative care side particularly rewarding, looking after the terminally ill. All this experience has helped with my new post in Acute Admissions, which is quite a challenge.”

Ruth is the first in her immediate family to graduate from University, and father Brian and partner Richard Sherris will be attending her ceremony. She is now topping-up the Diploma though part-time study, and aims to complete her BSc (Hons) degree in Nursing Studies from the University of Teesside next year. “I’m so pleased to have passed, I just couldn’t believe it. My advice to anyone who feels a course is difficult is, don’t give up”, added Ruth.

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