Briefly, could you explain what you were doing before King’s?
Prior to commencing my PhD at King’s, I had completed my Master’s degree at the University of Edinburgh and was working as a Nurse in Charge on an in-patient cardiology ward in Maine. I also taught medical surgical and high-acuity nursing as an adjunct faculty member at the University of Southern Maine. Just before coming to King’s, I also spent a summer travel nursing in Santa Barbara, California.
What is your research related to?
My research focuses on interprofessional healthcare teamwork, specifically how nurses, doctors, pharmacists, physiotherapists, nursing assistants, and allied health professionals collaborate to deliver care. I'm particularly interested in how teams adapt to various pressures and challenges they encounter in the hospital setting. These challenges could include staffing shortages, inefficient processes, equipment limitations, etc. My research investigates whether these adaptations differ across different team types how these adaptations impact patient safety and the overall quality of care. Ultimately, my goal is to leverage these findings to develop better training and support strategies for different healthcare teams. This will contribute to a more collaborative and resilient healthcare environment, leading to improved safety and quality of care for patients.
What most attracted you to King's?
King’s is world-renowned for nursing research, consistently placing in the top three universities in the world and number one in Europe. Studying at King’s was attractive to me because of the inspiring, engaging, rich community of academics who study and work here. I wanted to learn from and work with the best of the best in my field—and that’s exactly what I found! I was lucky enough to join a wonderful team of academics who have supported me throughout and beyond my doctorate, encouraging me and providing me loads of opportunities to develop as an academic. Additionally, London is a fabulous, culture-filled, vibrant city. I can’t think of a better place to live!
How have you found the postgraduate research experience?
I absolutely loved my doctoral research experience at King’s. Both inside of and outside of my direct team, everyone in the Faculty was so lovely. I really felt that they were invested in my success and keen to help me when I needed anything, to promote my work, and to support me as an individual. If you are motivated, engaged, and enthusiastic, the community at King’s will welcome you with open arms.
What has been the best thing about your time at King's so far?
The best thing about my time at King’s was getting to work with Professors Anne Marie Rafferty in the Faculty of Nursing, Midwifery and Palliative Care, Gabriel Reedy in the Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, and Janet Anderson, a former colleague of the Faculty of Nursing, Midwifery and Palliative Care. They were my supervisory team, and I truly had the best experience. As a testament to how great it has been working together, our collaboration has actually gone beyond my PhD. I’ve stayed in academia, and we all continue to work closely and collaborate on research. It’s been the best team I’ve ever worked in, and I feel so lucky to have found such wonderful mentors and friends.
How do you feel that King's has prepared you for a career in research?
King's provided a strong foundation for my research career. While I had prior knowledge of research methods, I had never undertaken a full-fledged project. Through one-on-one mentorship, I gained proficiency in data analysis and research design. In addition to the experience I gained doing my PhD project, attending international conferences where I presented my work and actively seeking out training events significantly enhanced my research skills. I entered the programme with no experience leading a research project, but by the end, I was confident enough to do so independently.
What would you say to someone who is thinking about studying at King's?
I would say go for it! You don’t need to be an expert researcher to start your PhD; King’s will train you and provide you with the resources you need. If you have a meaningful research idea that you really care about, enthusiasm, willingness to learn, tenacity and excitement for engaging in academic debate and work, you are the right fit for the rich, inspiring, academic environment at King’s.