Nexxus Scotland

Barbara McLaren, Nurse Manager, Western Infirmary, Glasgow

Q: So, for those of us who don't know - what does a clinical research nurse in the NHS do?

Glasgow Clinical Research Facility (Glasgow CRF) was established in 2006 and is funded by the Chief Scientists Office to support clinical and academic research within Greater Glasgow & Clyde (GG&C). As a Glasgow CRF research nurse my role involves working in various disciplines and can be different from my research nurse colleagues who conduct research in specific conditions.

I work as part of a large team and we work on research studies across a diverse range of clinical areas - for example intensive care, renal units and maternity services.  Research studies often involve recruiting thousands of participants for just one study and the people who take part in these studies can be patients with a specific condition or healthy volunteers.

My main priority is patient care and making the visit a positive experience for the participant. Each study visit requires careful planning to co-ordinate the multidisciplinary elements often involved in study visits and all research nurses know ensuring the correct paperwork is available, the proper tests are completed and accurate information is collected are central to the successful outcome of a study. As a research nurse I am always aware that people taking part in a study are volunteers and are giving up their time and without this commitment research would not happen.

Q: Tell us about a typical day

Like many areas within the NHS, there is seldom a typical day. But each day involves interacting with people, who are from all walks of life and who each require different levels of support and information.  

A typical day starts by preparing paperwork to take to one of the many clinical areas where a research study is taking place.  Once at the clinical area I may spend time with a patient explaining the study and providing relevant written information.  I also see patients who are returning for follow-up visits. Each of these visits may require taking blood samples, physical measurements, giving out new study medication and collecting data to complete the necessary study paperwork. A visit can range from 1 hour 40 minutes to as long as 2 days, if overnight stays are needed.  The important point is ensuring the patients understand their time is valued and they have a positive experience.  In addition to seeing patients I may also be dealing with commercial companies regarding any data queries they may have, reviewing new protocols or attending research meetings.

Q: So what's taken up most of your time recently?

Over the past few weeks we have been involved in a large scale study involving a number of intensive care units across GG&C and with these types of studies planning and preparation are key features. As I have never worked in this clinical area, this has required intensive training and preparation.  This has also involved, in the short term, rescheduling my involvement in other projects.

In addition I have recently expanded my role and now also manage a team of research nurses.  This involves the additional responsibility of supporting and developing the team to do their jobs safely and confidently. Because of the nature of research and the growing portfolio of work we support I need to keep abreast of changes in the regulations and legislation, new treatments, and clinical assessments and therefore regularly participate in- and provide - training to keep up to date.

Q: What's on the cards for the next couple of months?

There will always be new and exciting studies in the pipeline which will require me to constantly acquire new skills and knowledge. In the meantime I will continue to play a role in all aspects of patients' visits and ensuring each study runs smoothly and safely. This needs to be done in parallel with providing existing staff with on-going support, education and training to ensure that all participants/patients have a safe and enjoyable study visit.

Q: What would you do if you weren't doing this job?

This is an interesting question. I asked a few of my colleagues and while we all had a few vague ideas of shops or tea rooms I really love being a nurse and get a great deal of satisfaction from this job - I really have no desire to be doing anything else.  Like all areas in the NHS, we have many challenges but I thoroughly enjoy my work and have derived a great deal of pleasure and satisfaction being a part of the development and growth of a Clinical Research Facility within GG&C.

For further information contact Barbara
T: 0141 232 9514
E: barbara.mclaren@ggc.scot.nhs.uk