Mum fought to keep career hopes alive

SUCCESS . . . Nicola Burr has graduated with a first class honours degree

A DETERMINED mum-of-seven has graduated with a first class honours degree despite the death of her father and her mum suffering with advanced dementia.

Nicola Burr (46), who always knew she wanted to be an operating theatre practitioner, juggled family life and caring for her father to continue with her studies at Edge Hill University.

Despite missing 200 hours of study, Nicola proudly collected her degree this week and is now a registered operating department practitioner with Pennine Acute Hospitals NHS Trust, working at North Manchester General Hospital.

Nicola, originally from Failsworth but now living in Watersheddings, always wanted to work in a critical care environment despite starting a career in banking.

She said: "I knew what I wanted to do but life got in the way.

"I love my children, my step-children and my husband but I was determined to give it a go so I started a year's Access to Health course at Oldham College in September 2012 when my youngest was five months old.

"After completing this course, I applied to Edge Hill University and started a three-year full-time degree course in September 2013 at their Manchester-based campus."

Two weeks after starting her final year, Nicola's father Ronald Clark became desperately ill having been diagnosed with mesothelioma in November 2015.

Nicola, along with her sister, became their father's primary carer which led to Nicola missing six weeks of study, a module and falling behind 200 practice hours.

She said: "I couldn't see a way to continue and finish my studies as I just wanted to be with my dad.

"But it was the encouraging words of my lecturer Teresa Hardcastle and those of an anaesthetist on my placement who told me I needed to keep going and not give up.

"It was hard but I worked day and night to catch up and complete my work."

Sadly, Ronald, a former British Rail worker, died on January 4, 2016, just 31 days after his diagnosis, aged 86.

Nicola said: "My dad meant everything to me, he always supported me in whatever I wanted to do.

"He had hoped to see me at my graduation but that wasn't to be. I know he'd be proud of me."

After his death, Nicola's mum Glenda Clark, who has Alzheimer's, was also taken to hospital after her condition deteriorated and she moved to Oakdene Care Home in Lees for extra care and support.

Despite a difficult year, Nicola was stunned to achieve a first class degree in her studies.

Recovery

Nicola now works in operating theatres at North Manchester General Hospital handling anaesthetics, surgery and recovery.

Although she admits it has been a steep learning curve going from student to registered practitioner, Nicola is thrilled to have such a rewarding job.

She said: "My first patient stopped breathing in recovery but it just came into my head what to do.

"I saw Teresa telling me what I should do and they were fine.

"As a family, we've had to make sacrifices but I hope my children, who are aged 25 to four, look at my achievements and see that if you want something you can't be half-hearted, you need to give your all."