For Joan Sandison yesterday’s degree ceremony was the latest in a lifetime of learning.
On this occasion the 61-year-old nurse picked up a qualification in advanced clinical practice from Robert Gordon University (RGU.)
The Lerwick Health Centre employee took a distance learning class for her latest studies.
She said: “When you live in a remote area like I do most of your learning will be done by distance, it’s what I’m used to.
“I’ve studied at RGU several times in the past so I know that the standards of the courses and the lecturers at the school of nursing and midwifery is very high.”
Originally from Liverpool, she moved to Inverness in 1972 to train as a nurse and a midwife, then went on to NHS Shetland eight years later.
She holds several nursing qualifications already, and said her latest accomplishment would bring many benefits to her job.
She said: “I’ve been working in general practice as an advanced nurse practitioner and felt the course would be of benefit to patient care.
“It will also give greater credibility in what is relatively new service and it’s important that the public and other health professionals have confidence in it.”
