A young mother shines across the world after receiving a PhD degree 24 hours after giving birth.
Abby Bailiff, a young mother, accomplished a remarkable feat when she was awarded her doctorate just 24 hours after giving birth to her first child.
On May 3, 2023, Abby Bailiff, a 28-year-old nurse from Thomasville, North Carolina, gave birth to her son, Bodie. In the United States, she received her PhD in nursing from the University of North Carolina, Greensboro.
Abby stated that she was supposed to give birth on April 27th, but the delivery date was postponed, and that her doctoral graduation ceremony was set for May 4th, 2023. With every day that went by, her anxiety increased in the hopes that the delivery date would not coincide with the graduation day.
She went on to say that because physicians were worried about her son’s lung development, she ultimately had an induction on May 2. After 40 weeks, I thought, ‘Oh my god,’ every single day. It wasn’t intended to be this close to graduation, but Bodie had other plans, so this is getting closer and closer,” Abby remarked.
Fortunately, according to Abby, her birth went smoothly and without any issues. On May 4, her graduation day, she and her newborn boy were released from the hospital after spending the night there.
After 40 weeks, I thought, ‘Oh my god,’ every single day. It wasn’t intended to be this close to graduation, but Bodie had other plans, so this is getting closer and closer,” Abby remarked.
Fortunately, according to Abby, her birth went smoothly and without any issues. On May 4, her graduation day, she and her newborn boy were released from the hospital after spending the night there.
“At 1:30, I thought, ‘I guess I should really do this.’ I was still unsure about going to graduation because I didn’t want to be a bad mom and just up and leave him right when I got home. When my mother and sister arrived, they replied, “Well, let’s get you ready,” she added.
Abby reported a few hours later that she was entering her graduation ceremony, which began precisely twenty-four hours after Bodie’s birth. Abby crossed the stage following her graduation from the University of California Doctor of Nursing practice degree, with her husband and son watching from home via FaceTime.
When I arrived and entered, I was overcome with a sense of success and said, “I’m so glad I came.” I had no words to express how I felt. I was just ecstatic,” Abby remembered.
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Abby worked full-time as a registered nurse and finished the three-year doctor of nursing practice program. In order to attend school during the day, she frequently worked nighttime shifts.
She claimed that during the last few months of her pregnancy with Bodie, she finished the program’s clinicals. She added that two days prior to giving delivery, she took and passed her board exam.
“I worked really hard to achieve my dreams and goals and to do everything for Bodie,” she remarked.
Abby’s decision to attend the event demonstrates her passion and dedication, according to Debra J. Barksdale, dean of the University of North Carolina School of Nursing, who spoke to GMA.
“A new role or career is symbolized by the commencement ceremony. Dr. Abby Bailiff’s resiliency, tenacity, enthusiasm, and dedication to her school, classmates, and family are demonstrated by the fact that she felt so driven to attend the ceremony following years of study for her DNP degree, Barksdale said.
The academic journey’s high point is graduation, which is a happy occasion. We are extremely pleased of all of our students, but particularly of those who overcome obstacles to fulfill their aspirations,” she continued.
In North Carolina, Abby works as an adult gerontological nurse practitioner at the moment.
