‘Focus, read and be curious’

When and why did you develop an interest in research?

In my early years as a nurse, much of nurses’ work was underpinned by custom and practice. After working in a village in Colombia, South America, with few resources to support the care that we delivered, I returned to the UK hungry for knowledge and understanding. As I moved from practice to education, I was keen to understand what evidence supported the decisions being made. My real interest in research arose after completing my master’s programme in 1991. I had several publications by then and was fired up to explore the questions I had about practice, and I was committed to disseminate through publication.

Who has been most influential in your career as a nurse and as a researcher?

I have worked with some excellent role models, individuals who were not afraid to lead, in spite of the challenges they