Banchory mum Esther Hughes went back to university more than 20 years after qualifying as a nurse.
Mrs Hughes yesterday graduated from Robert Gordon University with a master’s degree in advanced nursing practices – but says she is now looking forward to learning even more.
She puts her latest success down to the support she has had from her family – husband John, 18-year-old son Luke and daughter Brianna, 13.
Mrs Hughes, who moved to the north-east about 10 years ago, earned the qualification while still working as a community nurse.
She said: “This degree has always been something I wanted to undertake.
“It’s been a long hard slog, working full-time while trying to study was pretty tough.
“It’s also been a difficult year with my father-in-law taking ill and passing away.
“My family have been an amazing support and I don’t think I would have got to this stage without them.”
Having taken time out from her career for her family, Mrs Hughes set her sights on becoming a health visitor.
She has since secured her dream job, working four days a week in Westhill.
“Learning is by no means over with the completion of my master’s degree,” she added.
“It’s often said that ‘every day in nursing is a learning day’ and this is certainly true in health visiting.”