Perspectives: A newly-qualified nurse’s experience of starting a clinical academic career

Abstract

From the moment I began my undergraduate degree in Sports Therapy, I have had an intellectual curiosity and a keen interest in research. In the final months of my postgraduate nursing course I saw an opportunity for a funded PhD exploring the culture of teenage and young adult cancer care in England, as part of a larger National Institute for Health Research funded programme of research. This field of study was of great interest to me, as was the opportunity for personal and academic development and career progression. Discussing the opportunity with University tutors confirmed that this would be a smart career move, with the potential to open many doors. However, at the time I was on my final student nursing placement and eager to receive my Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) PIN and to progress clinically. I discussed these concerns with my two potential PhD supervisors, who fortunately are strong advocates of clinical academic careers in nursing. They were sensitive to this and, through academic contacts, facilitated the creation of a parttime clinical role within the teenage and young adult cancer field. In reality this means that my work comprises two distinct but complementary roles (see Box 1).