Mairi Claire Davidson

OU graduate Mairi Claire DavidsonAn island nurse in the Outer Hebrides has shared how Open University (OU) studies enabled a new career for her, allowing work and family life to combine with upskilling.

Gaining her first-class honours Bachelor of Science Nursing (Adult) degree, and working at Barra’s St Brendan’s Hospital, Mairi Claire Davidson has now come full circle.

Mum of two Mairi Claire learnt of the OU nursing route from colleagues, while employed there previously in a different role.

“I was a band three healthcare assistant on the ward and in the community,” she explains. “I work in a small cottage hospital so we cover both.

“One of the nurses I work with completed her training with the OU when the course first became available in Scotland, so I've looked up to her knowing it could be done!

“It has meant the world to me completing my course and registering as a nurse. Nursing really is a special vocation, and I feel really privileged to work as a nurse.”

Upskilling while working

With the support of Mairi Claire’s employer, NHS Western Isles, she continued her job alongside her Scottish Government funded studies.

... the OU tutors I was supported by were fantastic.”

“Although it was challenging, juggling tutorials and assignment deadlines alongside working full-time, it was always rewarding and the OU tutors I was supported by were fantastic,” she says.

“Lots of study was undertaken in my own time (often late at night when my children were in bed), but I enjoyed the flexibility of being able to complete university work when it suited me.”

Degree placements spanned: looking after medical, post-surgical and end-of-life-care patients at Uist and Barra Hospital in Benbecula; a cardiothoracic ward caring for patients recovering from – mainly lung – surgery at Clydebank’s Golden Jubilee Hospital; interventional radiology at Paisley’s Royal Alexandra Hospital; theatre nursing at Stornoway’s Western Isles hospital.

First-class honours degree

Being off-island and away from her children for placements was the most challenging aspect of her four-year course. 

... if you set your mind to something and work hard you really can achieve your goals.”

Mairi Claire says: “I wouldn’t ever have uprooted my family and left the island to attend a mainland campus university to pursue my nursing career, so without the OU learning option, I'd never have been able to become a nurse.

“I actually achieved a first-class honours degree which I was blown away by.

“I feel really proud of what I've achieved and also that my children have been able to witness that if you set your mind to something and work hard you really can achieve your goals.”

Mairi Claire says: “St Brendan’s Hospital is a really unique place to work, I work between the ward and community.  But I really love the variety and no two days are ever the same - it's a good challenge.”

Career progression

She reflects: “I started off my working career as a lifeguard in the swimming pool and looking back now I always enjoyed the first aid / survival side of lifeguarding!

“I then moved to a domestic post, cleaning the care home and hospital (a joint building on the island).

“From there, I moved into a care assistant post with the local council, caring for the elderly, mainly patients with dementia. So I really did work from the bottom up!”

“My colleagues in St Brendan’s were definitely and still are the biggest inspirations,” she says. “I feel like I’ve been given the best foundation to my career being surrounded by some of the best nurses there are.  

“I met some of the loveliest nurses during my placements too who inspired me. I'll always look back on my time with them and strive to deliver high quality care in the same way they had. They really led by example.”

OU degree ceremony

In spring 2025 Mairi Claire celebrated her degree success at an OU ceremony in Manchester, cheered on by her husband, children, and parents - all integral supporters of her study journey.

“Really, without them all, I'd never ever have got this far!” she says.

"My advice to anyone thinking about starting their training with the OU would be not to delay it, grab the opportunity with both hands and go for it.

“It is a brilliant pathway with so much flexibility and the four years fly in!”