An Orkney nurse picked up her second degree yesterday after juggling a full-time job and a stay in hospital with her distance-learning course.
Sara Murray, 37, graduated with a BSc in occupational health practice.
The former Kirkwall Grammar School pupil already has an adult nursing degree from RGU, but 11 years later decided to go back to progress her career.
Ms Murray, who worked at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary before taking on a post at NHS Orkney, completed her latest studies through distance learning.
She said: “I’m incredibly proud of my achievement and to be graduating from Robert Gordon University for a second time feels very special.
“It wasn’t easy getting back into studying and academic writing after graduating 11 years earlier.
“I worked full-time while studying distance learning this time, and also battled with ill health at crucial times of the course which made it challenging.
“I was diagnosed with diverticular disease during my studies which required hospital admission, and I also had a relapse during the time when I was handing in my final dissertation.”
Ms Murray has previously worked as an occupational health bank nurse at Balfour Hospital in Kirkwall before starting work on her new qualification at RGU.
She said: “Within six months of starting as a bank nurse I started work on the degree.
“It was part-funded by NHS Grampian and was also distance learning which meant I could continue to earn money and stay at home while I was studying.”
And her new degree has placed Ms Murray in a unique position in Orkney.
She said: “Having the BSc honours in occupational health practice now makes me a specialist community public health nurse, which will be useful in the future for whichever direction I plan to take.
“Although NHS Grampian provides occupational health services for NHS Orkney and some external contractors, I believe there is no one else currently on the island providing the same services that I will be.”
