Chief Nurse Research Fellow
Hello, my name is Rachel Orwin and I am a Lung Cancer Nurse Specialist on a 2 year Chief Nurse Fellowship evaluating research capacity building across the Trust and implementing the National SORT tool.
I qualified as a Registered General Nurse in 1993 despite entering the profession quite unintentionally having been quite rebellious at school, I left with limited qualifications. Nursing enabled me to find my niche as I became enlightened by education and lifelong learning.
I worked primarily in Cardiology, predominately as a Senior Staff Nurse but latterly as a Sister in Cardiac Catheter Labs. I completed my Diploma then my Degree in Nursing and relevant Specialist courses from which I developed an awareness of, and the knowledge and skills to implement evidence-based practice. I lectured on the ENB 124 Coronary Care Course, led a number of work-based projects and published two discussion articles. I aspired to study for a MSc and PhD and to become a clinical academic.
However, after my third child I struggled with childcare and the division of my time and commitment. I made the decision to take a break in my career. During this time, I completed my BA (hons) English through the Open University.
I returned to practice 15 years later and discovered that nursing had evolved from a profession that predominantly followed evidence to one that now drives forward change and leads research for the benefit of our population.
During my return to practice I worked on the nurse bank as a HCA and on renewal of my registration worked on a Cardiothoracic surgical ward before moving into my Nurse Specialist role during Covid.
I applied for the NIHR SRL Programme, April 2024 intake, but was unsuccessful. Undeterred I leapt at the opportunity of this fellowship and am so pleased to be working with the NMAHP Research team.
