Besine Laszczych

Blog written by Besine Laszczych, Research Nurse

After I finished my degree in nursing, I started working in haemodialysis. From then, I witnessed hundreds of patients suffered enormously and died without hope. A patient with end stage renal failure requires a lifetime haemodialysis treatment 3x a week if they don’t receive a kidney transplant. Sadly, kidney transplant is not for all patients with CKD. Hence, some of our patients have been receiving this treatment for decades and some of them were died from complications. These circumstances made me think “what can I do more aside from being a dialysis nurse”?

Few years ago, I met a research nurse who regularly attended our dialysis patients. I was impressed that through her job, she produced a high-quality data that improved our clinical practice. I realised the value of research project in establishing an evidenced based policy and made me think that data could be a powerful tool to create transformation.

Then, I applied as a clinical research nurse in a private CRO. It was mixed emotions when I started in research as it was completely different from my typical nursing job. I was struggling at first because I had to unlearn many nursing skills and adapt a brand-new research skill, but I met different type of people that inspired me to pursue higher academic goals and to improve my professional and personal skills. It taught me that learning is a continuous journey and must never end. Therefore, I enrolled myself in several education programmes such as project management course and post graduate degree.

I think shifting from a conventional nursing job to research was one of the best career decisions I made. From private CRO to UCLH was a greater choice for me. The career growth and various knowledge and skills I can adapt in this type of job is enormous, which made me motivate to work harder and learn more. Working in a public sector gives me more access to training and courses and an opportunity to meet many prominent PI and research experts.

The best part of working in research is enabling me to contribute to medical advancement that give a hope to a patient like with chronic kidney disease. It increases myself respect and morale as a human. Finding new solutions and ideas to improve the health of patients is a rewarding and fulfilling experience. Perhaps, the new medication that I am working at, may help myself, my friends, or my loved ones. That idea excites me more.

For those nurses who wanted to shift to research, I would recommend you to be adaptable and be ready to learn new skills.