Pauline Murray-Parahi
UTS is innovative and student- focussed, with lots of opportunities for development.
Key research areas/interests: Primary Health Care; Community Nursing; Clinical & Adult Education; New Graduate Nurse Transition; Innovative methods of clinical supervision; Clinical facilitation and Near-peer learning & teaching
Principal Supervisor: Professor Patricia Davidson
Summary of research project
‘Preparing Nurses for Primary Health Care Roles: ‘Barriers and enablers to the successful transition of next generation nurses’ into the primary health care environment’
This study, through various phases looks at the phenomena and experiences of new graduate nurses and the experts who support them in their transition to professional practice within the community nurse role, where complex and technical care is often provided in the person’s home - alone.
Why did you decide to embark on your research degree at the Faculty of Health at UTS?
My supervisor moved here, so of course I followed. However, it soon became clear that UTS was innovative and student- focussed, so I was pleased to have made the change.
What contribution to knowledge are you planning to make with your research project? What change might that bring about?
This study examines how the next generation of nurses are prepared for these roles through a review of the undergraduate nursing curriculum in Australia. This and the other phases will ultimately produce a model and best practice guidelines for transition in this setting. These guidelines will provide direction for frontline staff including clinical nurse educators and preceptors supporting transition and assist managers and service providers to manage risk, prioritise resources and to recruit and retain staff.
Who will benefit from your research? How?
It is expected all stakeholders from educators to new graduates and ultimately the patients/clients to whom they provide care will benefit from new knowledge about the phenomenon created through the various phases and products resulting from this research.
How did you go about selecting your supervisor?
I’ve come from a clinical education background and was perpetually frustrated at the lack of research literature about the phenomenon and particularly the pervasive (yet untested) assumption that only experienced nurses should work in autonomous roles like community nursing. It then suddenly occurred to me, (only after 20 years in the setting and recently completing a Master’s degree in education) that I was actually complicit in this conspiracy of silence. I had witnessed the successful transition of new graduates in the primary health care setting since 1997 and the positive transformation in the workplace as a result of their presence - yet I hadn’t published a thing or added to the body of knowledge. So I decided to publish something. I knew I would need supervision and guidance but didn’t have a clue where to look or how to find it. I heard some bad supervision stories so I wrote a list of attributes for a perspective PhD supervisor. Then it happened. I was at a work-sponsored publishing course and I met the first of three different colleagues who told me about this fabulous supervisor. By the 3rd, my curiosity was piqued, “Really? How could someone be that great?” I simply had to meet this amazing woman – just to see if it was true! I did, she was and ticked all the boxes on my list (and then some). I wasn’t disappointed and have never once regretted asking the question or continuing on this journey.
What has been the most valuable part of your research student experience at the Faculty of Health at UTS?
Aside from fabulous supervision? That would be the whole package…from my HDR colleagues who inspire and encourage me daily to all the HDR development opportunities on offer, especially those provided through the Graduate Research School and always helpful and obliging Faculty of Health admin staff (Suzie and colleagues at GRS and Priya & colleagues at FoH).
What advice would you give to future research students thinking about starting a higher degree in research at the Faculty of Health?
Check out the HDR space, come and have a chat to someone doing a higher research degree. If you don’t already have a burning question then find a topic that will sustain you. Most Importantly - choose your supervisor wisely…you may just end up with a fabulous mentor into the bargain!
