Cat Phillips is a staff nurse at Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust. She was recently awarded a National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) pre-application support fund, which is enabling her to lead a service evaluation exploring stigma associated with personality disorders. In this article, she explores the challenges and benefits of pursuing a research career as a clinical nurse.
My academic journey
My academic journey began with a bachelor’s degree in Sociology, which sparked my deep passion for mental health research.
Studying sociology provided me with an insight into societal inequalities and stigma and helped me to understand how they contribute to mental health challenges in our society.
During my degree, I became interested in understanding how labels, such as ‘personality disorder’, can shape people’s lives, identity, mental health and care experiences. I learned about the connection between societal structures, identity and mental health which fuelled my determination to improve mental health care.
Motivated by a desire to learn more, I pursued additional courses, voluntary roles and employment to enhance my expertise. This eventually led to me completing a master’s degree in Mental Health Nursing.
Taking part in research as a nurse
Although I am at the beginning of my clinical career, having been a qualified nurse for one year, I feel strongly that nurses should be leading research alongside service user involvement.
My academic background has informed my hands-on clinical work, and I am committed to challenging mental health stigma and advocating for vulnerable individuals.
I decided to continue taking part in research to better address the needs of individuals and advocate for systemic changes to promote mental health inclusivity. Through research, I aim to contribute to evidence-based practice and deliver compassionate, person-centred care.
It can sometimes feel that, as a nurse, contributing to research is discouraged, but without evidence-based practice, the care we provide remains limited. Traditionally, nurses in my position focus solely on clinical practice, often postponing research until later in their careers. This may be one reason why mental health nurse-led research remains underrepresented. Therefore, it wasn’t surprising that I faced barriers and challenges in my clinical role when applying for the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) award.
Applying for funding
I decided to apply for the NIHR Pre-Application Support Fund during my nurse preceptorship when I was talent spotted by Dr Oladayo Bifarin, Research Effectiveness Lead. I thought it was an excellent opportunity to continue my work exploring stigma around personality disorders.
The application process was intense and unfamiliar, especially while balancing shift work and adjusting to life as a newly qualified nurse. However, I was supported by inspiring mentors who helped me with developing a strong research proposal, costings, and providing an argument for how this funding could support my clinical academic development.
When I found out I had been awarded the fund, I was shocked, but proud and grateful for the support I had. It was the validation I needed that early-career nurses can contribute meaningfully to research. It also reminded me that I do not need to wait until I am more senior to start shaping the future of mental health care through research.
The fund is helping me to lead on a service evaluation exploring attitudes, knowledge and practice of staff when it comes to the management of patients with personality disorders. This evaluation will build on my published research on personality disorder and stigma, ‘Exploring the Stigma Associated with Personality Disorders: A Narrative Review’.
The fund also enabled me to attend and present my research at conferences, such as the annual British and Irish Group for the Study of Personality Disorder (BIGSPD) conference. It has provided invaluable networking opportunities, training and time to support with teaching, such as my role as honorary lecturer at the University of Liverpool. I’m grateful for the opportunity to work collaboratively with individuals with lived experience.
Facing challenges
Although this fund allows me dedicated time away from my clinical role to focus on research, there are still challenges. I believe anyone eager to get into research should be aware of what they may face.
Research roles typically follow a 9–5 schedule, but as I continue working shifts on an acute ward, including night shifts, this affects my ability to fully engage in research. I am not always guaranteed specific time off, meaning I can sometimes miss out on opportunities.
The fund also means that I now lose out on payment enhancements that I previously received, so I often pick up extra shifts as my pay has decreased since taking up this award fund. A significant proportion of the work often also spills into personal time.
My advice to nurses interested in research
It is important to be aware of the challenges you will face, but do not let this put you off getting into research!
Despite these challenges, I remain grateful for being talent spotted through Mersey Care and encouraged to apply for the NIHR fund.
It can feel daunting working alongside researchers with far more experience, but do not let this put you off if research is something you are passionate about. Research gives nurses a platform to influence change, improve care and amplify the voices of those we support. I hope my story can serve as inspiration to motivate others to pursue their research ambitions.
