Nicola Bowers: why I work in research
In this article, Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust’s Nicola Bowers talks about her role in supporting research.
I have been a nurse for over 25 years and specialised in cardiology and clinical research. I am experienced at working as an autonomous clinical practitioner, skilled innovator and dedicated communicator.
I am excited to have successfully secured a unique job description within my trust as Clinical Academic Nurse Lead for Integrated Medicine. Fundamental to my new role is to support teams to integrate clinical research and academia across all divisions locally, with a view of publishing data to make a difference nationally. This will enable all allied healthcare professionals to deliver the latest evidence based practice to all our patients and to promote the NHS as a centre of clinical research excellence, reducing the current postcode lottery to healthcare and clinical trials individuals currently endure.
I also work as the Honorary Secretary for the British Association for Nursing in Cardiovascular Care (BANCC), providing acquisition of appropriate knowledge and skills for competent specialist practice. Recently I have also been appointed as a Heart Failure Clinical Researcher for the British Society of Heart Failure and Senior Research Fellow for Buckinghamshire New University. This incorporates review of proposed clinical research proposals, executing webinars, providing visiting lecturing for pre and post-graduate nurses.
I also provide medicolegal advice and consultancy services to pharmaceutical companies, primary care and allied health care professionals for education and expert opinion on recent national cardiology approved medication and new medicinal devices on education, guidance and clinical trial materials.
The main reason I love my job is because I am now in a position to make a difference and enhance the quality of care provided to patients. I have had the opportunity to build, expand, enable, motivate and I have been fortunate to work within fantastic teams of individuals within my profession journey.
After working in the NHS for nearly 25 years, I have experience of the difficulties, yet have used this to an advantage, overcoming barriers and hurdles to be successful at improving the quality of patient treatment through clinical research. I have managed this by building collaborative relationships, working with relevant stakeholders, writing grant applications, introducing innovative digital and virtual platforms and recognising and advocating service integration. My vision and motivation is for clinical research to be a common thread through all allied health professionals’ job descriptions and integrated through every multi-disciplinary team in the NHS.
