Son carries on family tradition by graduating with nursing degree

A father and son will maintain a family tradition by going into the nursing profession when they receive degrees from Edinburgh Napier University.

Fraser Chalmers graduated on 27 October with a Bachelor of Nursing and will be taking up a post as a community staff nurse in Edinburgh.

His father Ross is also set to also graduate as a nurse next year, having swapped a career in finance four years ago to join the NHS as a clinical support worker.

It is Fraser's mother Sarah who sowed the seeds for her family’s nursing careers. Now a district nurse team manager for north west Edinburgh, she has been working as a nurse and midwife since leaving school.

Continuing family traditions

Fraser’s younger sister Kirsty, 22, is also a staff nurse at Edinburgh Royal Infirmary, and his twin brother Murray is a recruitment consultant for the Scottish Nursing Guild.

Ross said his son’s graduation ‘has given me the drive and determination to be where he is this time next year, receiving my degree 36 years after leaving school.’

Sarah added: ‘I am passionate about community nursing, and proud that Fraser is following in my footsteps. I hope he will study further to become a district nurse of the future.

‘It’s also great to see Ross pursuing his goals and ambitions and I am sure that they will both find their nursing careers as rewarding as I have.’