Caring couple seek a change of career

Caring for her mum and suffering an injury at work led husband and wife Alison and Nigel Charlton to take a new direction in their lives by embarking on careers in nursing.

Alison, 41 and Nigel, 45, of Darlington, both graduated on the same day from Teesside University. Alison completed a BSc (Hons) Nursing and Nigel an Advanced Diploma in Nursing Studies (Learning Disabilities).

The couple have two children Emma, 18 and Adam, 15 and are now both working as nurses. Alison is a paediatric nurse at Darlington Memorial Hospital and Nigel is a staff nurse at St Luke’s Hospital in Middlesbrough.

It was caring for her mum Esther, who sadly died from cancer, which led Alison to decide to pursue a career in nursing.

She said: 'I’d spent time raising a family and had worked in respite care for children with disabilities and was involved in work with the local church too. When mum’s cancer was diagnosed in 2003 I spent time caring for her.

'By the November she could only have palliative care and she died in July 2004. When mum died it made me want go for it and go into nursing. It’s a tribute to her.' Husband Nigel had previously worked as an electrician, but in 2001 suffered an industrial accident which resulted in damage to discs in his neck.

Alison said: 'Nigel couldn’t return to his job, but when he recovered he started doing voluntary work with people with disabilities. By then I had been accepted on the course at Teesside University and Nigel decided he was interested in nursing too.'

She added: 'My dad Walter came to see us both graduate and was doubly proud. It’s a complete change of career for us both.

'I did worry a little when I started the degree, being a mature student, but it was a lovely group with older students and some straight from college. The facilities in the School of Health & Social Care are fantastic and it’s great that Teesside has been named University of the Year.'

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