A 41-year-old mum-of-two who raised her children largely on her own and overcame her doubts to become a nurse, is encouraging others to follow in her footsteps and pursue their dreams.
And she has just one message: “Never give up.”
Jaspreet Kaur, 42, from Bishopbriggs, is one of more than 500 newly qualified nurses and midwives to join NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde in the past few weeks – and she hopes her story can be an inspiration to others who find themselves in her position.
Jaspreet moved from the USA when she was a teenager and married young. She had two sons and she worked in care as the boys grew up.
But all the time she knew she wanted to do more, and as her marriage ended she decided to take the plunge.
“I wanted to work in healthcare,” she said, “but my confidence wasn’t great as I’d been out of education for a long time.”
But those doubts didn’t stop her – first she completed an access course at college and then it was off to university.
“It was strange at first – in fact some of my fellow students were younger than my children. I was shocked at how important computers had become and I often felt out of my depth – but I was certain this was the place I needed to be,” Jaspreet said.
“There’s no pretending that it wasn’t hard work. There were times when I thought I couldn’t do it – when others said I wouldn’t manage – but I didn’t give up.
“All I knew was I wanted to help people. I needed to make a difference to people’s lives, and that kept me going when things got tough.”
Jaspreet – or Jazz as her new NHSGGC name badge, worn proudly on her Staff Nurse uniform, says – now works in Ward 20/21 rheumatology/acute medicine at Glasgow Royal Infirmary, and all her struggles have paid off.
“All I can say to anyone who’s in my position, and maybe thinks they can’t manage it, is please, have courage. If you can push yourself, you can make it.
“You might doubt yourself and tell yourself you’re not capable. Others might say you can’t do it.
“But please, don’t give up. Have confidence in yourself, and keep going.
“You can do it – like I did!”
NHSGGC welcomes nurses of all ages and all backgrounds – and Professor Angela Wallace, Nurse Director at NHSGGC, thinks Jazz’s story shows that nursing can be a rewarding career for everyone.
She said: “I would like to welcome all our newly qualified nurses and midwives to the NHSGGC family.
“As Jazz’s story makes clear, age is no barrier to becoming a nurse, and I would encourage anyone who thinks they can make a positive contribution to this wonderful profession, to take the plunge and, as Jazz says, go for it.”
For more about this year’s intake of newly qualified nurses and midwives, click here.
