Our Nurses Our Future: Reflections on the Power of Research as we Celebrate International Nurses Day

This year we’ll be celebrating International Nurses’ Day (IND) on the 12^th May 2024. The theme set this year by the International Council of Nurses (ICN) is Our Nurses Our Future the Economic Power of Care

The International Council of Nurses’ Charter for Change presents 10 policy actions that ‘governments and employers must take to create and sustain health care systems that are safe, affordable, accessible, and responsive and shift nurses from being invisible to invaluable’. Read the 10 policy actions in further detail).

In this blog, members of the CTR Nurses, Midwives, and Allied Health Professionals Group reflect on how their work within the Centre for Trials Research (CTR) supports the policy actions outlined in the Charter for Change and how research is key to addressing the global health challenges recognised by the ICN.

The Nurses, Midwives and Allied Health Professional (NMAHP) Group

One of the policy actions in the Charter for Change relates to ‘recognising and valuing nurses’ skills, knowledge, attributes and expertise’.

Jane Davies (Senior Research Nurse) reflects on her contribution to the Huntington’s disease research portfolio:

In my capacity as a CTR research nurse, I work on various Huntington’s disease trials, spanning from observational studies to complex early-phase commercial trials. Central to my role is a commitment to delivering patient-centred care. I work closely with patients and their families to ensure they receive comprehensive support and attention throughout the trial phases. This involves addressing their concerns, providing trial-related education, and advocating for their well-being at every step. Nurses’ skills in clinical assessment, patient education, and communication can enhance trial outcomes and foster trust among participants and I hope that I achieve this in my work with the HD (Huntington’s Disease) community. Furthermore, as nurses, we possess a sound understanding of patient care dynamics, which I believe can be pivotal in ensuring the smooth implementation of trials while prioritising participant safety and wellbeing.

A further policy action in the Charter for Change centres on the need to protect ‘vulnerable populations’ to ensure that all people can access health care that is equitable and people-centred, which requires keeping nursing ethics at the centre of health systems’ design and delivery. Research plays a vital role in improving health and care, and research must be inclusive of populations to ensure that the benefits of research are distributed equitably. Nurses play an important part of this. In CTR this includes having research nurses embedded in teams designing and delivering studies which enables them to ensure that they are person-centred and inclusive. CTR also has nurses leading methodological research to build the evidence for designing and conducting studies that are more inclusive of under-served populations.

Victoria Shepherd (NMAHP Lead and Nurse Researcher) reflects on the CONSULT programme:

The CONSULT programme I lead explores the ethical, legal and methodological issues encountered in research involving adults with impaired capacity to consent. These challenges often lead to this population being excluded from research. Improving the inclusion of under-served groups in research is a key priority area for research funders, regulators, and policymakers. This research programme has led to the development of interventions aimed at supporting family members who are involved in participation decisions, tools for researchers to design studies that include adults with impaired capacity to consent, and a range of resources to support the research community to navigate the complex challenges involved. It is under-pinned with the values, knowledge and ethics I hold as a nurse researcher. It helps support CTR in its wider aims of improving the lives and well-being of all people within and beyond Wales, including through the CTR Inclusivity on Trials/Studies Group I co-lead within the Centre, and ensures that inclusivity is embedded across all our work.

Nicola Ivins (Senior Research Nurse) and Ffion Davies (Research Nurse) reflect on their contribution to the LISTEN trial:

The LISTEN trial was developed to provide and evaluate a personalised package of support to help people gain more confidence, knowledge, and skills to navigate their everyday life with long Covid. This involved health care professionals being trained in the Bridges self-management approach, delivering up to 6 sessions to participants experiencing long Covid.  The trial was delivered remotely which allowed participants from anywhere in the UK to be included. As research nurses, we provided support to all participants registering for the trial, assisting questionnaire completion and delivering the intervention. The nurses were integral to promoting the trial to the wider population ensuring that as many people had the opportunity to take part or pass information about the trial to family friends.

Nurses bring a wealth of skills, knowledge, and expertise to the table, ensuring the smooth implementation of trials while prioritising patient safety and well-being. Through our dedication to patient-centred care, we play a crucial role in enhancing trial efficiency, improving recruitment and retention rates, and ultimately contributing to better health outcomes and enhanced patient experiences. As we continue to collaborate with our CTR colleagues and research partners, fostering an interdisciplinary approach that advances research methodologies and develops innovative healthcare solutions is key. As a group, we fully support the International Council of Nurses’ Charter for Change 10 policy actions and will follow with interest the impact these changes will have on future nursing across the different care settings.

Happy International Nurses Day 2024!