‘I saw first-hand the importance and reward of being a nurse and I knew that’s what I wanted to be’
Jean pictured at her graduation with her son Sam and daughter Lucie.(Image: Jean Taylor)
A proud son is singing the praises of his ‘inspiring’ mother who, at 66-years-old, has just achieved her a dream she has pursued since she was a child.
Jean Taylor from Worsley was joined by her partner Dave, son Sam and daughter Lucie at Wednesday’s graduation ceremony at University of Lancashire (UCLan), while her two other sons Andrew and Matthew and six grandchildren watched on with pride via livestream.
Her achievement was made all the sweeter by the fact that Jean fell just shy of graduating in 2020 while doing the same course at University of Salford.
“I went to university in 2017 and I should have qualified in 2020,” Jean explained. “Life events meant I just couldn’t quite get over the line on that occasion.
“My granddaughter had been poorly at the time and my son had some mental health issues so, unfortunately, my studies just went a bit pear-shaped.”
Two years ago, Jean decided to try again and enrolled at UCLan. Fast forward to 9 December, 2025, and Jean finally has that elusive certificate of graduation in her hands.
She now has an interview on Friday for a senior role at a hospital. “It’s very competitive for nursing jobs at the moment so I’m preparing and hoping for the best,” Jean said.
Jean Taylor.(Image: LinkedIn)
Jean has worked in palliative care in the community for Marie Curie for 14 years, something she is hoping stands her in good stead for available roles. “I’ve worked a lot with people with learning difficulties. When you get to my age you accrue quite a lot of life experience so I’m hoping that counts for something.”
Jean grew up with two siblings with learning difficulties and has a granddaughter with autism, so caring for people and understanding different neurological conditions and disorders is very much embedded in her nature.
Her desire to become a nurse originated when she was very young. “I spent a lot of time in hospital myself up until about the age of 12,” she said. “I saw first-hand the importance and reward of being a nurse and I knew that’s what I wanted to be one day.”
Jean pictured at her graduation with her partner Dave.(Image: Jean Taylor)
Jean’s children’s recent mental health struggles and grapples with anxiety made her want to focus on this important branch of nursing. “There’s a real shortage of people with experience in dealing with mental health,” Jean said. “It’s talked about a lot more now than when I was young but there remains a bit of taboo around it.
“Not to mention, there’s such a waiting list for people to access services at the moment. I just want to do my bit to help really.”
Jean’s son Sam told the MEN: “I am immensely proud of my Mum and I believe her story is one of never giving up.
“She is living proof that age is just a number and, at 66, she has now achieved her childhood dream of becoming a nurse.”
Our fingers are crossed for Jean for her job interview on Friday. Whoever ends up hiring this passionate and motivating woman will have a gem in their ranks.