Chief Nurse Fellowship

Our new cohort of Fellows 2024-2026 pictured with Davina Thomas, deputy chief nurse, Dr Amelia Swift, Professor Ruth Pearce, Professor Annie Topping and Teresa Melody.

The Fellowship aims to impact several areas:

• Improve the quality of care and experience of service users at UHB by undertaking research, quality Improvement or a service evaluation that directly relate to the clinical practice setting of the chief nurse fellows.
• Increase the opportunities for NHS staff to participate in research, therefore utilising the talents of this group of individuals.
• Strengthen the role of nurse, midwife and AHP (NMAHP) research in the Trust.
• Support staff recruitment and retention.
• Offer an opportunity to develop a sustained clinical academic role.
• Provide robust research education and practical skills for staff to undertake projects.

Why apply for the Chief Nurse Fellowship?

The fellowship programme is aimed at those who wish to increase their awareness of clinical research and to lead and instigate change of practice within their clinical area. They may even wish to pursue a clinical academic career. A clinical academic is someone who engages in clinical practice and research at the same time.

The Fellowship offers:

• A structured clinical academic development programme.
• Support to undertake a research project, focusing on an area pertinent to the fellow’s practice and aligned to organisational and NMAHP specific strategic objectives.
• Full funded university fees.
• Co supervision between UHB and the University of Birmingham (UoB).
• Monthly clinical and academic support meetings to review personal and project plans.

Who can apply to the CNF programme?

The Fellowship programme is open to all nurses, midwives and AHPs employed by University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust who wish to undertake a Masters by research degree. The University of Birmingham have set the following requirements:

What is the eligibility criteria?

Applicants must:

• Have full support of their line manager.
• 2:1 degree or equivalent evidence of study (see UoB entry requirements below)
• Complete all aspects of the application process in full.

 University of Birmingham Standard Entry Requirements

If you have a first degree:

• A 2:1 honours degree (or equivalent) in a healthcare related subject (medical, nursing, midwifery, allied health professionals, pharmacists and healthcare scientist degrees are considered).

If you do not have a first degree:

• Postgraduate qualification and or experience in a relevant health related area will be considered.
• Capability to study at master’s level for those not holding a degree should be evidenced by completion of at least one master’s level module.

All applicants must have:

• Current registration with an appropriate healthcare regulatory body (e.g. NMC, GMC, BPS or HCPC)
• Access to a research population
• A minimum of 18 months post qualification experience
• Two academic/employer references in support of your application and professional and academic capabilities
• Transcripts of your degrees so far (certified and translated in to English if appropriate)