International Nurses Day Blog – a blog by Bindhu Xavier, Senior Clinical Research Nurse, NIHR RRDN

On International Nurses Day (IND), Senior Clinical Research Nurse, National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) North West Regional Research Delivery Network (RRDN), Bindhu Xavier shares her passion for nursing and her research journey. 

I have been a Senior Clinical Research Nurse with the NIHR North West RRDN since May 2021. My career as a Research Nurse spans around eight and a half years, during which I have worked within the NIHR Manchester Clinical Research Facility (CRF), Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT) Research and Innovation (R&I) Cardiology and Cardiovascular Team and now the North West RRDN, of which I am part of the Agile Research Delivery Team – a multidisciplinary team who can work flexibly across a variety of different locations to support research delivery in health and social care. 

As an agile Research Nurse, I am able to promote and deliver research in diverse settings such as hospitals, primary care centres, community centres, festivals, and more. This role allows me to build relationships and network with different communities, making conversations about health research commonplace. I appreciate the variety in my daily work, as no two days are the same.

Prior to my research role, I spent about 19 years as a Critical Care Nurse and an Anaesthetic and Recovery Nurse, specialising in cardiology (heart), cardiothoracic (lung and heart), and respiratory (lung and airways) care. This experience has provided me with extensive knowledge and insight into various conditions, current treatment options. 

I am passionate about studies that explore new treatment options or modify existing ones. I take pride in supporting potential participants in considering research involvement and ensuring their best interests are central to our practice. 

Currently, I am involved in the Optimise 2 trial, which aims to investigate if deprescribing (reducing or stopping) common drugs that lower blood pressure is safe or effective in older people in the longer term (a year or more).  

Recent scientific studies suggest that large reductions in blood pressure, and too many drug prescriptions, may be associated with an increase in falls and death in older patients, which is why this research is needed. 

General Practitioners (GP) participating in the study are enthusiastic and recognise the need for guidelines in this area. My responsibilities include reviewing the participation information leaflet with participants, scheduling appointments, assisting with consent and collecting vital data.  

International Nurses Day is a time for us to reflect on the impact we make on society through our chosen vocation and celebrate as a community. As part of the global nursing force, we use this time to review and renew our commitment to the profession. 

I encourage nurses and student nurses to consider research after gaining a couple of years of acute nursing experience to develop the necessary skills, knowledge, and compassion for patient care. 

Research Nursing has evolved since I started in the field eight years ago. Many trials now utilise nurse consenting for Clinical Trials of Investigational Medicinal Products (CTIMP) to streamline the recruitment process, prevent delays, provide continuity of care, and enhance the participant experience. I hope to see more of this practice in the future, as it represents one of the innovative ways research nursing is advancing.  

I started my nurse training 32 years ago and it has been an amazing journey so far across two countries, meeting some extraordinary teachers, colleagues and people we care for from across the globe. It is an honour and huge responsibility to think that people put their trust in us at what could be the most difficult time in their lives.  

Nursing is not just a job, it is a vocation that requires compassion, knowledge and skills to serve others. We are an advocate to our patients at all times and are invested in their best interests.  

To my fellow nurses, who have inspired me, thank you for your resilience, dedication, kindness and care. As we celebrate International Nurse’s Day 2025, may we continue to support, uplift and care with the same passion and dedication, that we pledged in the beginning of our careers.  

Happy International Nurse’s Day!