Starting a career in research nursing during a global pandemic

Rodgers, Kay; Jones, Anna; Carlin, Alexandra; Redsell, Sarah; Andreyev, Jervoise

Abstract

In the spring of 2020, two nurses (KR and AJ) commenced their research nurse careers amid the SARS-Cov-2 (COVID-19) global pandemic. This reflective article discusses their experiences of beginning a clinical research nursing career, presented as a case study of their learning journey, rather than detailing the randomised controlled trial they delivered via GP practices. The main study compared standard care to nurse-led management of irritable bowel syndrome, the details of which will be published separately. The article identifies three overarching concepts: ‘Green as grass, keen as mustard’, ‘Spires and steeples’, and ‘Down the rabbit hole’. The article offers insight from the two nurses for other professionals contemplating a career in research.

Citation

Rodgers, K., Jones, A., Carlin, A., Redsell, S., & Andreyev, J. (2024). Starting a career in research nursing during a global pandemic. British Journal of Nursing, 33(5), 266-270. https://doi.org/10.12968/bjon.2024.33.5.266

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Feb 22, 2024
• Online Publication Date: Mar 6, 2024
• Publication Date: Mar 7, 2024
• Deposit Date: Mar 18, 2024
• Journal: British Journal of Nursing
• Print ISSN: 0966-0461
• Electronic ISSN: 2052-2819
• Publisher: Mark Allen Healthcare
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 33
• Issue: 5
• Pages: 266-270
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.12968/bjon.2024.33.5.266
• Keywords: Clinical research; Clinical research nurse; Research during a pandemic; COVID-19
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/32736717
• Publisher URL: https://www.magonlinelibrary.com/doi/abs/10.12968/bjon.2024.33.5.266