Single mother celebrates degree success

Reporter: Katie Hill
Date online: 26/07/2007

Colleen Barker, a single mother, is celebrating passing her exams and gaining a nursing degree after four years hard work.

Colleen went back to college and then on to university as a mature student, after giving birth to a son, Rik Steven, in 1993. 

Colleen, who had previously worked at Asda in Rochdale, said: "After bringing up my son I just felt it was time to do something for myself, and after much consideration, decided that nursing was for me."

Colleen’s previous qualifications included a Higher National Diploma in Business and Finance, which she achieved in 1996. However, when her son started high school, at Siddal Moor Sports College, she decided to take the opportunity to try something new; she enrolled on the "Access Course’ at Hopwood Hall College, Rochdale, which led to her degree course at Salford University School of Nursing, where she has studied for the past three years.

Colleen’s mother, Veronica Mackay was full of praise for her daughter, saying: "The whole family is bursting with happiness. What she has achieved as a single parent is fantastic. Studying for a degree is hard enough on its own, but to run a house at the same time as well as bringing up a child is extremely commendable. I couldn’t be more proud."

Colleen now hopes to progress further in her career and gain employment as a nurse - her ultimate aim is to work in an intensive care ward.