A report was published today recommending that a training and support structure should be put in place to enable nurses to work as researchers at different stages of their career.

‘Developing the Best Research Professionals’ is the culmination of work by the UKCRC Subcommittee for Nurses in Clinical Research (workforce), chaired by Janet Finch in collaboration with Modernising Nursing Careers and other key stakeholders. It looks at the current role of nurses as researchers and educators, and investigates the barriers that are preventing them from reaching their full potential in these areas. It proposes a more flexible career structure so that nurses who pursue a research career can combine clinical and academic work instead of pursuing one of these roles at the expense of the other.

A 12-week public consultation on the draft report was carried out earlier this year. Detailed responses were received from 186 individuals and organisations representing nursing, the allied health professions and other disciplines. The overall response to the report was very positive, and the vast majority of respondents agreed with its recommendations. A summary of the consultation responses was considered by the UKCRC Subcommittee for Nurses in Clinical Research to inform the final recommendations.

Copies of both the final report and the public consultation summary report are now available for download.