A mother of six and grandmother of two has achieved her lifelong ambition by graduating as a registered Nurse and taking up her post at the Ulster Hospital.
The culmination of years of study, determination, while balancing family life, saw 42-year-old Laura Carley pull on her Nursing uniform as she proudly took up her post on the wards this week.
Laura said Nursing was a natural career choice as she had always wanted to work in a caring profession, “The journey has been a long one. I completed a university access course and then studied for a HNC (Higher National Certificate). During that time, I had baby number five and then baby number six.
“From there, I applied to Queen’s University and was accepted. The first year of university was plain sailing, but during my second year, my mum became critically ill in Scotland.”
Laura explained that her mother later returned to Northern Ireland to receive treatment at the Ulster Hospital, “We spent a lot of time with her and then Mum came back here, to be cared for in the Ulster Hospital. She spent several weeks here and underwent a number of surgeries.”
During this already challenging period, Laura was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes and suffered the devastating loss of her sister.
Laura reflected, “We donated my sister’s organs through the Ulster Hospital, so I feel a real connection to this hospital. I would not want to work anywhere else.”
Encouraging others who may be considering a career in Nursing later in life, Laura said, “It is hard work, but it is doable. There is so much support and everyone checks in with you. It really is like a family.
“I have six children at home who range in age from six to twenty one and we work as a team. I would not be here, wearing this uniform today, without them. It has been a real team effort to get here.”