They have been named finalists in the Partnership of the Year category at the Student Nursing Times Award for a project which gives student nurses an understanding of how research and evidence-based practice improves patient outcomes. Shortlisted organisations are recognised by judges for providing an enriched educational environment which provides outstanding support to students throughout their studies.
LTHT and LBU have collaborated since 2022 to create an integrated program for pre-registration learners. The program complements and enhances their existing curriculum by providing opportunities to understand the “real world” application and undertake clinical research. It offers an innovative placement opportunity throughout the undergraduate programme. The taught element is delivered by an expert in clinical research and Evidence-Based Practice and has been designed with academics to show the application of academic modules’ core research content in work with the Clinical Research Network team.
Since 2022, Karl Ward, Lead Nurse Research, and Innovation Education at LTHT, Dr Jacqueline Parkin, Head of Nursing and Healthcare at LBU and Henry Kirby, Senior Lecturer in the School of Health at LBU, have led the team and have delivered ten lectures to over 500 nursing students, apprentice nurses, and trainee nursing associates in all years of their training.
Karl Ward, Lead Nurse Research, and Innovation Education at LTHT said: “I am incredibly proud that we have reached the final stages of the Nursing Times student awards 2024 in the partnership category.
“Developing this type of education and placement model has taken a lot of hard work and dedication from all involved at LTHT and LBU, but seeing the next generation of nurses being able to apply what they learn in university and becoming more involved in research has made it all very worthwhile”.
Dr Jacqueline Parkin Head of Nursing and Healthcare at the School of Health at LBU said: “We’re delighted to have been shortlisted for this award, particularly because it’s relating to partnership working and demonstrates the fantastic partnership work that we do with LTHT.
“We believe that research confident nurses deliver a better outcome for patients and being able to embed that early on into the nursing curriculum helps reinforce that message to our students.
“Creating an innovative placement pathway where students have the chance to spend time with clinical research nurses, such as Karl, helps them understand what research nurses do, how they are working towards improving health outcomes for patients and shows students a career pathway into research nursing.”
About Leeds Beckett University’s School of Health
The School of Health brings all the university’s health expertise into one area and provides the knowledge, skills, and training to make a difference to individuals and communities, from exploring the diagnosis or treatment of disease, to the provision of a range of therapies for recovery and rehabilitation to community-based social care.