Transforming Nursing Research: Seeds, Roots and Shoots. Paper Title: Preparing the Landscape for a Clinical Academic Career

Abstract
Over the past 15 years, health policies have identified and promoted the development of Clinical Academic (CA) roles in Nursing1. Nurses are often the main point of contact with patients and are, therefore, in a unique
position to lead clinically relevant research and improve the quality of care delivered2,3. Whilst the benefits of CA Nurses in healthcare are widely recognised, there are challenges in establishing and progressing a CA
career. Enablers of CA careers include the development of clearer career paths, integration, and alignment of NHS and University employment, with visible senior clinical academic role models in practice3.
.
This paper explores the enablers of CA Nursing career progression and the development of a research identity, including People, Places, Projects, and Funders, drawing on both evidence and personal experience. There will be a focus
on the Centre for Care Excellence (CfCE), a CA partnership model jointly led by Coventry University and University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust. The Centre is enabling Nurses, Midwives, and Allied Health Care Professionals to develop robust research skills alongside their clinical practice, providing support at various stages throughout their CA career trajectory to become leading researchers in their field.

The transition from a Predoctoral Researcher to Chief Investigator of scientific studies will be addressed. Reflections on National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) funding streams through the lens of both an awardee of a Health Education England (HEE) NIHR Integrated Clinical Academic Clinical Lectureship and as an NIHR Selection Panel Committee member will be described. Examples of nationally clinically focused research within Nephrology will be presented, including the QUALYCARE Kidney study (Funder, HEE/NIHR)
and the Prepare for Kidney Care Study4 (Funder, NIHR HTA programme), demonstrating the synergy between clinical practice, research, and improved person-centred outcomes.

References
1. Association of UK University Hospitals. Transforming healthcare through clinical academic roles in
nursing, midwifery and allied health professions: a practical resource for healthcare provider organisations. https://www.medschools.ac.uk/media/2325/aukuh-transforming-healthcare.pdf (accessed
11 March 2025)
2. Murphy E, Wise S, Beynon-Cobb. Clinical academic roles in nephrology: setting the direction for the
future. Journal of Kidney Care 7 (4), 190-194. DOI: 10.12968/jokc.2022.7.4.190
3. Avery M, Westwood G, Richardson A. Enablers and barriers to progressing a clinical academic career in
nursing, midwifery and allied health professions: A cross-sectional survey. J Clin Nurs. 2022 Feb;31(3-4):406-416. doi: 10.1111/jocn.15673.
4. Murphy E, Burns A, Murtagh FEM, Rooshenas L, Caskey FJ. The Prepare for Kidney Care Study: prepare for renal dialysis versus responsive management in advanced chronic kidney disease. Nephrol Dial
Transplant. 2021 May 27;36(6):975-982. doi: 10.1093/ndt/gfaa209. PMID: 32940683; PMCID: PMC8160947