I started my nursing career on coronary care at UHCW but wanting a broader experience of nursing I soon took up agency nursing and took trips overseas to volunteer in developing countries. After a year of some very rewarding experiences, the opportunity came along for me to move to Saudi Arabia which was the beginning of a seven year adventure nursing in both a hospital and privately for a family.

 

Eventually, it was time to return home to start a family. After having a whirlwind year setting up a home, settling back into life in the UK and being a new mum to our son Sam, I was both excited and anxious about returning to the UK nursing field. Feeling like it was the perfect time for a change, I hoped to find a specialist role which could offer me new experiences and a renewed passion for my profession. After a lot of reading about the research nurses' role and reflecting on past experiences that have taught me the value of research, I knew it was the job I wanted to be in.

 

Despite it being a particularly challenging start, with the many COVID limitations in place, I'm blessed to have been supported by excellent management and an inspiring team, and I feel very proud to now be part of the NIHR.

 

If you would like to contact Katherine, please email Katherine.allen@nihr.ac.uk