It's never too late to chase your dream: Cancer Sister becomes nurse at age of 40

Macmillan Cancer Unit Ward Sister, Angela Berry, who has been working as a nurse for the past 12 years, has decided to share her story so anyone who thinks their dream career is now unobtainable should think again.
By Julie-Ann Spence
Published 29th Aug 2023, 10:02 BST
Updated 29th Aug 2023, 10:02 BST
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

Angela used to work in finance in a bank in Devon until the age of 40 when she moved back to Northern Ireland.

Angela decided it was time to fulfil her lifelong ambition to become a Nurse. Despite the fact she had celebrated her 40th birthday and did not have any nursing qualifications, Angela had the courage to embark on an Open University degree, combined with a job as a Nursing Assistant.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

"When I moved back to Northern Ireland, I looked at jobs in the banking industry, I wasn't sure if I wanted to continue in this line of work, it just wasn't doing it for me anymore, so I attended a jobs fair to see how I could become a Nurse, which I had always wanted to do,” she explained.

Angela Berry is a Ward Sister in the Macmillan Cancer Unit in the Ulster Hospital where she leads a team of experienced cancer nurses and is respected very much by patients and staff. Pic credit: SEHSCTAngela Berry is a Ward Sister in the Macmillan Cancer Unit in the Ulster Hospital where she leads a team of experienced cancer nurses and is respected very much by patients and staff. Pic credit: SEHSCT
Angela Berry is a Ward Sister in the Macmillan Cancer Unit in the Ulster Hospital where she leads a team of experienced cancer nurses and is respected very much by patients and staff. Pic credit: SEHSCT
Read More
South Eastern Assistant Director of HR retires after 40 years of outstanding con...

"When I was completing my final year of training, my daughter was going through her GCSEs, so it was quite the event in our home as there were two people doing exams.

"It was about balancing family life with studying and working to earn a living, it was difficult, but I had amazing support. You are never too old."As children across Northern Ireland receive their A Level and GCSE results this month, Angela stressed it is never too late to chase your dream.

Related topics:Northern IrelandDevonGCSE