Sugrah is a clinical research nurse coordinator. She has been in this role for three years and in research for a total of six years. She has mainly worked on paediatric intensive care studies and is currently dedicated to a large feasibility study about using a wireless technology to monitor health deterioration. Before working in research, Sugrah was a ward nurse specialising in paediatrics, which she loved. After a ligament injury meant she was unable to be on her feet for some time, Sugrah found a position at a research network. In this role, Sugrah supported and facilitated research across several Trusts in her region. She worked on studies sponsored academically and commercially, including drug trials, blinded studies, and pharmacokinetic studies the activities across these have given her a broad overview of different parts of research. She enjoys her job and likes feeling that she is making a difference.

When she began working in research, Sugrah didn’t have many expectations of what it would involve. One difficulty she found when starting the post was learning the acronyms used; over time, she has become more familiar with these. She also had to learn how to use the technology involved in her current study, but appreciated that there was always someone on hand that we could call on. In her current role, Sugrah is involved in screening and approaching eligible patients (children), explaining the study to them and their families, and then following them up at a later date to take consent and commence study activities. It is important to Sugrah that the children understand what is happening and have a voice, including being able to make their own decision about participating or not: I think that’s our job to [‚] make it easy for them to also say no’ if they really don’t want to do it. Sugrah also follows up patients who are already on the study. This can involve changing batteries, checking sensors are working, and ensuring that there are no other problems affecting their participation or the data. Having quality time with patients and their families is something Sugrah really enjoys and finds rewarding. Sugrah also ensures that paperwork is kept up to date.

Sugrah feels her job has offered her lots of opportunities including things I never thought I’d be doing, such as contributing to study protocols and amendments, writing abstracts and conducting thematic analysis of data. Sugrah values this and thinks it improves the quality of research: [you can] be involved in the whole process so that the study is not just an idea, the practicalities are considered before we send it off to ethics so that it will actually work in practice. She is encouraged to go to conferences and participate in events around the research area. Sugrah is supported to pursue training and qualifications, and has been awarded a Bachelor’s degree through taking modules with the support of her job. Although Sugrah felt she was thrown in the deep end with some of it, she welcomed the challenge as the team encouraged progression and professional development of the staff. She has been well supported by colleagues, particularly her Chief Investigator (CI)/Principle Investigator (PI) and line managers who offer expertise on different areas. Similarly, Sugrah feels able to approach the PIs of her study who are available to answer questions, and help staff manage workloads. When she has found herself without time to do certain aspects of her role, they have been receptive to her needs: it takes away the stress factor because you are being given the time you need to, and being given the support you need. Sugrah values her working environment and feels it contributes not only to maintaining good health but to excellent standards of work: it makes you want to do more, you then go that extra mile.

To maintain her clinical skills, Sugrah continues to do bank shifts and she values this on a personal level too because I still feel like a nurse. She thinks that maintaining clinical skills is important for when it is busy on the wards because the research team can step in to help. Sugrah has found that this has helped foster productive and mutually beneficial working relationships with the ward staff who then aid recruitment and put sensors on patients. Although Sugrah doesn’t feel that everyone understands what research nursing involves, there is good awareness within the department the research is taking place. Throughout the duration of the study in the past three years, and understanding of the importance of research to introduce new ways of monitoring and improving care has increased amongst the staff on the wards.

Sugrah is currently on a fixed-term contract owing to the funding of the study: that’s the drawback in research, but I understand why it’s like that. Although Sugrah is hopeful that her contract will be renewed, she is keen to keep family friendly hours. She has completed training to become a research and training facilitator, and is waiting for approval to teach Good Clinical Practice training. Although Sugrah is not interested in managing large teams of people, she would like the challenge of being the lead nurse on the next phase of the project she is currently working on, from feasibility to seeing it implemented across the hospital would be an achievement. Sugrah thinks research nurse jobs are especially well-suited to people who are meticulous. She emphasises that she hadn’t previously thought of herself as academically minded and this shouldn’t put off other nurses. Sugrah’s key message to research nurses new to the role is to treat it like you would anything you do as a nurse on the ward, get to know your protocol, check it for yourself. Don’t just go by what someone says. Even though its paperwork and you might not think it’s as important as checking a drug but it is in research. I need to see it for myself and check that that is actually how and what we should be doing according to the protocol. Follow your GCP training. Acknowledge errors. It is a learning curve. We all make mistakes at some point, the main thing is learning from them. Most of all if you don’t know something, it’s ok to ask.