Our Research Nurse Network is going from strength to strength - Andy Hamilton was the first to join the network and is based at the MND Care and Research Centre in Newcastle-upon-Tyne Hospitals, NHS Foundation Trust.
You can find out more about Andy's role and background in this question and answer session.
How would you describe your role to someone you’ve just met?
I work for The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust’s MND Care and Research Centre. My role is to set up and co-ordinate all our research activities and support patients with MND through clinical trials and studies.
Alongside this, I also support the implementation and coordination of other neuroscience research at Newcastle Hospitals.
What does your typical working day look like?
The best thing about my role is that I don’t really have a typical working day. Every day provides a new experience when working with patients and this is what ultimately motivates me.
What made you want to become a nurse?
I started my nursing career somewhat later in my working life than I’d imagine most do. I love meeting and engaging with people, hearing their life stories and experiences, and making a difference. I felt like these attributes made me a good fit for nursing, so decided to pursue it as a career.
What attracted you to your current role?
I have always had an interest and passion for caring for people with neurodegenerative conditions.
One of my earlier roles involved co-ordinating trials for patients with Huntington’s disease and dementia as part of a network led by the National Institute for Health and Care Research.
It was whilst supporting my current team with the delivery of MND research that I gained a real passion for the subject. It was from this point that I decided I wanted to work long-term with patients with MND and provide opportunities for them to take part in research. Working closely with the MND Association has helped reinforce my commitment to advancing research in this field.
Who has had the biggest impact on your career?
There have been so many people who have influenced my career, so it’s very difficult to pick one. I do love working with my colleagues at Newcastle Hospitals and have so much respect for their professionalism and compassion.
Above all, though, the patients and families I work with continue to have a huge impact on me personally and professionally. I feel humbled by their resilience in such difficult circumstances. Sometimes, research won’t directly benefit the patients involved, but they selflessly take part in hope of a better future for others.
What do you enjoy most about your role?
As a research nurse, you often spend more time with patients and get to know them better compared to other nursing roles. Being part of a patient’s research journey is incredibly rewarding.
What’s been the stand-out moment in your career so far?
Most definitely being awarded my current role and the opportunities it brings to grow our local and national research portfolio. It’s a challenging role, but an opportunity that I’m privileged to have.
What are your ambitions for the future?
My ambition is to continue to grow our local research portfolio and provide more opportunities for patients with MND to take part in research. Working alongside organisations such as the Motor Neurone Disease Association is key to expanding research opportunities and giving patients access to the latest trials and support.
What advice would you give to someone who wanted a job like yours?
If you have a particular interest in driving service development and improvement and you are given the opportunity to take a research nursing role, then seize it with both hands. You won’t be disappointed.
Take time to get to know your patients and what they need. You can learn a great deal from them.
Finally, be kind, compassionate, empathetic and treat people how you’d like to be treated, and you can’t go far wrong.