Lorna didn’t always want to study nursing. In fact, she originally read languages at university, going on to work for many years as a translator. At 49, Lorna believed it was too late, that her chances of being accepted on the university course were slim. However, as her children were growing up and becoming more independent the desire to pursue a career in nursing grew.

I kept saying to myself, it really is now or never and if you don’t try, you’ll never know, says Lorna.

So, Lorna went on to find the Access to Higher Education course at her local college, Grŵp Llandrillo Menai. ‘I loved the Access to HE course and my tutor, Holly, was so supportive and encouraging. I was 50 by this point and thought my age was probably a hindrance, but Holly helped me to see that this was not the case at all.”

Lorna studied her Access to HE Diploma at Coleg Llandrillo, Rhos on Sea, tutored by Holly who nominated Lorna for the Agored Cymru Learner of the Year Award.

‘Lorna was an excellent student on the Access to HE Diploma (Health Sciences) course. She became the course rep and provided both academic and emotional support to her peers when learners were forced to work online due to COVID-19.

Lorna would spend a large portion of her free time supporting these students and I believe that many have her to thank in helping them get through a very challenging year to complete the course’, says Holly.

Lorna gained all graded units at distinction level and was also named the Coleg Llandrillo internal Access Learner of the Year.

Lorna was accepted onto the Adult Nursing course at Bangor University and says:

‘I started my degree in September 2021 and I’m so glad I did the Access to HE Diploma as it has prepared me really well for academic life. Now I’m loving my degree course and my nursing placements and looking forward to a career in nursing at the end of the three years.’

Originally from Scotland, Lorna now lives in Glan Conwy, North Wales with her husband, two teenage girls and a menagerie of cats and dogs!

Asked what advice she would give to anybody thinking of studying an Access to HE Diploma, Lorna says: ‘Age is no barrier. If you really want something, go for it - you can do it!’