We spoke with last year’s winner of the Excellence in Further Education award, Kayryn Davies, to learn about her journey after succeeding in the Foundation Degree in Science in Health and Social Care.
Kayryn is now studying Adult Nursing at Ulster University and offered some valuable advice for those considering returning to education to achieve their dreams.
As a single mother of two, Kayryn faced numerous challenges, but her determination helped her complete her foundation degree and secure a spot in the Nursing Degree program at Ulster University.
“Go for it. My only regret is that I didn’t return to education sooner. If you are a single parent or have young children and are looking for a career change or want to gain new qualifications, the team at South West College will provide tremendous support throughout this journey. The Foundation Degree in Health and Social Care brought me one step closer to my ultimate goal of working in healthcare.”
“Balancing life as a single mom with two young children was sometimes challenging. There were times when I had to bring my youngest daughter to class, and the lecturers were very accommodating and non-judgmental, which relieved a lot of my stress. The support from the lecturers and staff at South West College was incredible, turning my return to education into a positive experience.”
Kayryn also praised her course tutors and course coordinator, Michelle McCauley.
"The lecturers in this program were fantastic. They went above and beyond to meet our needs—not only in our academic pursuits but also in our personal lives. I faced many challenges during my second year due to family responsibilities and health issues, and if it weren’t for Michelle, I'm not sure I would have made it through.”
We are extremely proud of Kayryn's achievements and look forward to hearing more about her journey into nursing in the future.