Research nurses share their passion for research with the next generation of nursing
A number of clinical research nurses from Central Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (CMFT) were invited to a student nursing event to help spread the word about a career in research nursing.
The education evening, organised by The University of Manchester Nursing Society, saw representatives from across different areas of nursing attend. The aim of the event was to provide nursing students with a greater exposure to the many different faces of the health service sector.
Over 50 nursing students were invited to the event, ranging from those who have just started their degree to those due to graduate and exploring options for future employment. CMFT’s interactive stand was manned by a group of research nurses from the NIHR / Wellcome Trust Manchester Clinical Research Facility, including two student nurses Niamh and Francesca currently on a research placement. Having placement students on hand to talk about their experience of a research placement gave a brilliant insight to those attending the event. They answered many questions about what a placement involves and what it’s like to be in a research environment.
The stand included real life patient stories, research nursing video case studies and a number of interactive activities, including a randomisation game. The game helped illustrate to the student nurses how and why studies are randomised, allowing participants to be randomly allocated one or other forms of treatment under evaluation.
Janette Dunkerley, Clinical Research Nurse Manager, explained:
The event was a great opportunity to meet the next generation of nurses and get them thinking about research. Many had come across research during their lectures and dissertations, but had not considered how it is integrated into clinical practice and how good practice and evidence is shared. We hope that we have inspired the students to consider a career in research.
We were also able to network with other nursing teams from across Manchester who showcased at the event, and talked about collaboration and opportunities to work together in the future.
