"It's been a long and hard three years, but we've got there. It was quite challenging, with a lot of hard work needed, and absolutely a lot of sacrifices had to be made," Ms Naera said. "But that was my goal (to earn the degree) and to provide a better future for myself and my son. If it wasn't for my family's support I wouldn't have been able to do the degree.
"There were a few times I wanted to give up because it was hard and frustrating, but with my family's support and encouragement - and that of Helen Cossey (NorthTec's Kaitaia Student Advisor) I got through."
She said Ms Cossey understood the difficulties and stress, and helped her overcome her misgivings.
Ms Naera hoped others would be inspired by her and Ms Skinner.
"Just go for it. It's a life-changing experience and there are only positives to come from it, even if at times it may not seem like that," Ms Naera said.
Ms Skinner, a mother of five sons, with another due in October, dropped out of school at 15. She worked in kitchens and catering, and she was determined to become a nurse to serve people in a different way.
She did the first year of the degree while living in Whangarei, but had to move back to Kaitaia and was determined to continue, despite the difficulties.
She took inspiration from the many other Far North residents who travelled to get a degree and hoped others would be inspired.
"I looked at those others who had done it before me, including nurses, teachers and social workers, and thought if they can so can I. There's a lot of encouragement from previous graduates, but you have to go away if you want a degree."
She said NorthTec was 'an awesome place to study' with plenty of support from Ms Cossey and Michael McGiven. But it was the support and help from her family, and a lot of hard work, that got her through.
At one stage she failed a paper and had to do an extra six months and she wanted to quit.
"But they all helped pick me up to go on and finish and I'm just so proud of them all for helping me.
If you are thinking about changing your life, go for it." Both hope to nurse in the Far North, although Ms Skinner will await the birth of her child first.
It was a family affair for the Cuddy sisters, with two sisters graduating together while a third prepares to start as a first year nursing student. Melanie, 29, and Honey, 22, were both delighted to finish their studies, and older sister Kim, 31, celebrated with them before her studies get under way next week.
Their mother, Patrina Cuddy, also graduated as a registered nurse five years ago from NorthTec.
The sisters, from the Hokianga but now living in Whangarei, are from a family of six children, and their mutual interest in nursing is because they grew up with an interest in people.
"I couldn't imagine us having a job where we just sit at a computer all day," said Melanie.
