Marie Murray

Marie Murray has her sights set on a long career in learning disability nursing, after upskilling while she was an NHS support worker and gaining her first-class honours degree with The Open University (OU).

From Kilmarnock in Ayrshire, Marie is now a community learning disability nurse, having studied on a funded programme. She is one of the OU’s first graduates in this nursing specialism, after graduating in 2023. 

“I can’t thank the NHS enough for investing in me,” she says. “I hope to have a long career in learning disability nursing, every day is varied and although challenging at times the job is so rewarding. 

“There are always new learnings and opportunities to work in the most interesting places and meet the best people. 

“I feel so honoured and privileged to be a learning disability nurse.”

Opportunity for degree studies

This was the first year a degree in learning disabilities nursing was offered by the OU, which was exciting and was too good an opportunity to miss."

Marie (aged 49) was based in a community learning disability team when the opportunity arose in 2019 to study for her degree. 

She says: “I was sent an email from my manager with an invitation to attend an information session about the course. 

“This was the first year a degree in learning disabilities nursing was offered by the OU, which was exciting and was too good an opportunity to miss. 

“I had previously completed an HNC [Higher National Certificate] in social care and counselling, and also an SVQ [Scottish Vocational Qualification] 4 in childcare learning and development. 

“Before getting access to the course there was a requirement to complete a Nat [National] 5 in numeracy as I did not have any maths qualifications.”

With this obtained through a Dumfries College distance learning course, Marie embarked on her degree. 

Course funding

“The NHS provided funding for my course and allowed time away from work to complete my placements. There was also backfill money to fill my position when I was in placement,” she says.

I would never have thought I was clever enough to study at university level but the course is interesting and easy to navigate."

As for juggling her studies with her job and family life, “I worked 30 hours per week and would have a Friday off. I also was given one study day per month from work.

“I found getting up early before the kids got up worked well for me as I am a morning person. I would spend an hour most nights reading once the children were in bed.” 

To anyone considering OU study, Marie says: “I would never have thought I was clever enough to study at university level but the course is interesting and easy to navigate. 

“The activities are designed to help you learn and there is plenty of support available to keep you motivated. 

“I found the key was to stick to the study planner and try not to fall behind with the course materials.”

Tutor support

“You could email the tutors for assistance, who always got back within a few days, and you could arrange a telephone conversation,” Marie says. 

“The enquiry-based learning modules were good as you broke into groups specific to your field of nursing.

“It is a wonderful feeling when you get good feedback after working hard on the assessments. 

“I am a mature student so I was really nervous, but I really enjoyed the course and all the placements.”

Marie’s degree success was supported by her family and friends. She says: “I feel very proud of my achievement and can’t believe how quickly the four years passed.”

In terms of career impact, Marie says: “I have been employed through the newly qualified nursing scheme as a community learning disability nurse. 

“I am currently working my way through the Flying Start NHS development programme for newly qualified nurses. NHS Ayrshire and Arran have been very supportive of my transition into nursing.”