Our Research Nurse Network is growing - here you can meet Rebecca Ashton who has taken up the post at the Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust:
How would you describe your role to someone you’ve just met?
My role is to ensure patients are offered a trial if they are suitable for one, and I am there to support them on the trial journey. A research nurse’s role is extremely varied - we work closely with trial companies/sponsors and the local trust departments to ensure that we manage a research trial as per the protocol in areas where the protocol may not be the standard practice, (to ensure accurate and valid research results).
What does your typical working day look like?
My day starts by checking for important emails/messages from both patients and/or trials. I then see what patients are coming in that day and ensure the trial visit is fully prepped. I plan my computer based/admin tasks around the patient clinical workload.
Clinical work involves seeing patients in clinic, seeing patients admitted onto the wards (occasionally attending Doctors ward rounds). Also ensuring trial medications are dispensed and administered, and any observations/bloods are taken. If trial bloods have been taken, I am involved in spinning these and sending these off to trial central laboratories, (involving ordering of couriers).
Admin is following up on trial monitor visits, entering trial data and answering data queries, assisting with trial set ups and feasibility calls.
I also attend the weekly MDT once a week where patients are discussed and highlighted for trials.
What made you want to become a nurse?
I have always had a scientific mind, and I studied biological sciences as my undergraduate degree. After my three years at university and a four-month laboratory placement I decided I preferred working more directly with people, so looked for a career path that would combine my interest in science and research, with patients. I was put in contact with a research nurse and after meeting her, knew this was the direction for me.
I completed my post graduate nursing qualification and worked as a ward nurse for two years until a job came up in the oncology research team, (which is my background), and I have not looked back. I am pleased to say my decision to enter nursing to become a research nurse was a good one and I love the role. It is great seeing clinical advancements based on results of trials I have worked on, and seeing how new treatments are developed
What attracted you to your current role?
The chance to work in an area with much less research funding or previous research investment compared to oncology, (where I have previously worked). To be able to see early advances in a disease area and make a real impact to patients with far fewer options than in other diseases
Who has had the biggest impact on your career?
I have had very supportive managers, who have supported me complete a master’s degree and apply for NIHR courses which have enabled my career to progress as a result of these qualifications and learnings.
What do you enjoy most about your role?
Working so closely with a caseload of patients and their families. You get to know them on a unique level which is very special. Working with patients over the course of their disease treatment/progression is a blessing and being a constant person to them is a comfort.
What’s been the stand-out moment in your career so far?
I had a patient who was diagnosed with metastatic lung cancer. They were given approxamately six months life expectancy. We were running a trial testing a new drug which was only letters and numbers at that time. She was randomised to this trial drug, and 12 years later the patient is still alive. They took the drug for two separate two-year stints and now are living with mom, only requiring yearly scans as she is so stable. She continues to work and have minimal side effects.
Seeing how a new drug can change the face of a certain disease so drastically was both inspiring and amazing to be part of.
What are your ambitions for the future?
I want MND to get the research interest other areas are blessed with. More research needs to happen into both looking at the cause and treatment of this disease.
What advice would you give to someone who wanted a job like yours?
Apply! I think it is the best job in the world.