Abby Bailiff, a new mother from North Carolina, achieved an incredible feat by receiving her doctorate degree and giving birth to her first child within a span of just 24 hours.
Bailiff, 28, delivered her son Bodie on May 3rd at 3:08 p.m. Although her due date was April 27th, she became increasingly nervous about her upcoming graduation ceremony from the UNC Greensboro School of Nursing, scheduled for May 4th.
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As the days passed, Bailiff’s concerns grew, and she was induced on May 2nd due to concerns about Bodie’s lung development. Despite not initially planning to be so close to graduation, Bailiff acknowledged that Bodie had other plans.
The delivery of Bodie went smoothly without any complications. After spending a night in the hospital, both Bailiff and her son were discharged on May 4th.
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Initially uncertain about attending her graduation ceremony, Bailiff eventually decided to go. Her sister and mother encouraged her, and around 1:30 p.m., she made the decision to participate. Less than two hours later, Bailiff walked into her graduation ceremony, which began at 3 p.m., exactly 24 hours after Bodie’s birth.
While Bailiff’s husband and Bodie watched the ceremony via FaceTime from home, she proudly crossed the stage after completing her doctor of nursing practice program.
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The overwhelming feeling of accomplishment and joy flooded Bailiff as she walked in and realized she had made the right choice. She completed the three-year program while working full-time as a registered nurse, often taking overnight shifts to attend school during the day.
Even during the final months of her pregnancy with Bodie, she managed to complete the clinicals required for her program.
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Just two days before giving birth, Bailiff also passed her board exam. Her dedication and hard work were fueled by her desire to accomplish her dreams and goals, all for the sake of Bodie.
Bailiff’s commitment to attending the graduation ceremony impressed Debra J. Barksdale, the dean of the UNCG School of Nursing. Barksdale praised Bailiff’s resilience, perseverance, passion, and dedication, describing her as an inspiration to others who defy the odds to achieve their dreams.
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Bailiff’s remarkable accomplishment gained attention when her sister Hannah Allison posted a video on TikTok showcasing her achievements. The video, captioned “POV: you become a mom & a doctor in the same 24 hours,” went viral and took Bailiff by surprise.
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The unexpected recognition and the overwhelming response to the video reaffirmed Bailiff’s belief in the capabilities of women. She found it empowering to witness the multitude of possibilities women can pursue while balancing motherhood and career aspirations.