Graduate mum proud to set example

Philippa Whitehead has completed her nursing degree in a bid to push forward in her career - and she even beat her daughter to a tertiary qualification.

The Te Puke woman said she was over the moon all her hard work had paid off yesterday when she graduated with her nursing degree after three years of study. Mrs Whitehead was one of nearly 500 Waiariki Institute of Technology students who graduated yesterday.

"I've always wanted to be a nurse, I was working with ambulance and thought it was time to go one step further by picking up nursing."

She said she had enjoyed the three-year journey to become a registered nurse.

"I've enjoyed meeting new people, today has been great catching up with everyone."

Mrs Whitehead said it could be quite trying to be a mother at home while studying at the same time.

"It was hard just to leave the family when you needed to study."

"You've just got to ... get someone else to cook."

She said her next stage was finding employment.

"I'm looking for a job now, I'm happy to get a job anywhere but would like to work near Te Puke."

Mrs Whitehead said she was proud of her achievements and was glad her children were following her direction.

She said her son was about to enter into tertiary education and her daughter was still working through a degree at Waikato University.

Daughter Nikki Whitehead said the two had a lot in common.

"We started our first year at the same time, I'm really proud of her finishing her degree."