Maggie Barnett said she “refused to be defeated” in her quest to become a nurse.
Hetton-le-Hole mum Maggie Barnett who qualified as a nurse despite being diagnosed with stage four cancer while she was studying(Image: NHS)
A Sunderland mum has defied a stage 4 cancer diagnosis to qualify as a nurse. Maggie Barnett, 55, changed career back in 2009, joining the NHS and becoming a healthcare assistant at South Tyneside District Hospital.
She then spent almost 16 years working on the stroke unit at Sunderland Royal – but in 2018 secured a place on a nursing apprenticeship course. Major surgery meant she had to defer her place, but she began in January 2021 – proudly the oldest student in her class.
But obstacles kept appearing. First, her middle daughter became an altruistic kidney donor – and decided to go into nursing herself. Maggie’s eldest daughter, who lives in Australia, was then diagnosed with breast cancer.
Hetton-le-Hole mum and nurse Maggie Barnett during her cancer treatment(Image: NHS)
And at the same time, her own mother – who had lived with cancer for some time – received two further cancer diagnoses. She eventually died in November 2025. But throughout, Maggie continued her studies, even despite cancer hitting her too during 2024.
After symptoms she initially thought meant she had a virus, she was sent for tests and then diagnosed with stage 4b Hodgkin’s Lymphoma on December 27 2024. Throughout 2025 she received cancer treatment including chemotherapy – but she kept up with her work, even being awarded a first class mark for her dissertation.
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And now, she has both completed cancer treatment and started as a fully-qualified staff nurse. She works in the accident and emergency department at Sunderland Royal.
The Hetton-le-Hole woman reflected on her achievements. She said: “I refused to be defeated. My goal was clear, I needed to complete my studies and graduate alongside my cohort. No matter what challenges came my way, I was determined to finish what I started. I’m incredibly proud to now serve as a Staff Nurse and to give my patients the very best care I can.”
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