A nursing student from Oxford Brookes University has completed a rewarding 12 week placement with the NIHR Clinical Research Facility (CRF): Oxford Health, gaining valuable experience across a range of clinical research activities.
Amy Dunstall, a second year Mental Health Nursing student, joined the CRF: Oxford Health team in December and quickly immersed herself in the day-to-day work of a busy research environment.
During her time with the Facility, Amy shadowed study visits, observed consent processes, and developed practical physical health skills including practising drawing blood.
The placement demonstrates the value of offering nursing students’ exposure to clinical research settings, helping build a workforce that understands the importance of research delivery across mental and physical health.
Reflecting on her experience, Amy said: “A huge thank you for supporting me over the last 3 months and allowing me to be a part of your team. It has been an amazing experience seeing how the research area works.”
“The CRF: Oxford Health is not a ‘normal’ mental health placement, which has been such an amazing experience. Taking part in clinical trials, shadowing consent processes, practicing phlebotomy, learning about the behind the scenes of medication trials.
“It was a great opportunity to practice physical health skills that you wouldn’t ordinarily use in a mental health setting, and the team was amazing at explaining and consolidating my clinical skills.”
Amy was supervised throughout her placement by Sam Agyapong and Emily McGregor, Clinical Research Nurses at CRF: Oxford Health, who praised her enthusiasm and hard work.
Sam said “Supporting nursing student placements at CRF: Oxford Health reflects our commitment to preparing the next generation of mental health and adult nurses with the skills and competencies needed to support clinical research.
“Our entire team has been good at maintaining a safe and supportive learning environment to help students develop confidently in a research setting. In her time here, Amy has shown enthusiasm and professionalism, successfully meeting her placement objectives while growing her understanding of clinical research in mental health.”
The CRF: Oxford Health team wishes Amy every success as she continues her training and future nursing career.
Contact CRF: Oxford Health: [email protected]
