
Nurses save lives every day. During these challenging times, they’re needed now more than ever. Nurses and hospital staff are constantly putting their lives at risk in the fight against COVID-19. We value their heroic work on the frontlines, and we believe their stories should be shared.
Key Highlights
As part of our contribution to International Nurses Day, we spoke with a few of our 2,300 PRA employees with nursing backgrounds. They share what nursing means to them, what people can do to support them, and why nurses are drawn to our industry.
The World Health Organization (WHO) declared 2020 as the International Year of the Nurse and the Midwife. This year, the WHO highlights the current status of nursing around the world. The WHO and its partners plan to make a series of recommendations to strengthen the nursing and midwifery workforce.
As part of our contribution to International Nurses Day, we spoke with a few of our 2,300 PRA employees with nursing backgrounds. They share what nursing means to them, what people can do to support them, and why nurses are drawn to our industry.
MANAGERS

Katy Duksin, Manager of Clinical Operations, Study Start-Up Delivery
Tell us what being a nurse means to you.
It means caring for others, seeing people in their most difficult condition, and being there when they are sick and dependent on others. It means serving and taking care of them as if they were your own family. It’s accepting people into the hospital in their critical condition, when their life is in danger. Watching them go home after you take care of them is the most rewarding part of being a nurse.
Why were you drawn to nursing as a profession?
My family is many generations of doctors and medical professionals. As a child, I spent hours visiting my father’s work at the hospital. It was so exciting seeing medical equipment and people in white coats. I felt so proud that my father took care of kids and helped them get better. My grandparents were doctors and my sister is a nurse (currently taking care of coronavirus patients). For me, it was the most natural choice. I had no doubts when choosing my professional path.
What can the general public do to elevate and support nurses, especially during these challenging times?
Thank them for their hard work. Any kind of appreciation helps, and the more the merrier. During routine work, it’s rare to hear a simple “thank you.” Their dedication and devotion should not be taken for granted. It’s important to bring to public and governmental attention their working conditions, which could be better. While many people are working from home or out of work, nurses have to leave their families to take care of others, risk their lives, and potentially expose their family members to sickness.
There are over 2,300 people in PRA with a background in nursing. Why do you think that so many former nurses are drawn to working in our industry and PRA?
For me personally, part of the reason is being an ER and ICCU nurse in an environment with quick changing conditions. I have the medical background and knowledge of understanding the diseases and medications, learning the latest in drug development. I think another reason is because we’re part of the effort to bring new medications to people with few available treatment options.
Diane Gillies, RGN RM BSc, Clinical Team Manager
Tell us what being a nurse means to you.
Although I’ve been out of nursing/midwifery for more than 20 years, I still think of myself as a nurse/midwife. It’s like a family you can’t or want to separate from. During my nurse training, I made lifelong friends and many of them are still nursing.
I trained first as a nurse and after 12 months of working in a high dependency surgical ward, I was back at college training to be a midwife. As a student nurse, we completed a module in the maternity ward and midwives had a reputation of being a bit scary. However, this did not deter me! I decided this was what I wanted to do.
Being a midwife was hard but it was also a privilege to be part of a couples’ birthing experience. As a nurse/midwife, you work longer hours. At the end of a long shift, if your lady is about to deliver, then you stay and support her though to the end. You work so hard with the couple and you start to build a relationship. You want to enjoy the end result, see the joy on their faces, and experience the miracle of life. It was a privilege to be part of this experience. However, it was often challenging working in an environment that was so busy and short-staffed. It was frustrating not always providing the level of care you would like due to being overstretched. Still, supporting a lady through childbirth is magical and it’s always rewarding to hear you’ve made a difference.
Why were you drawn to nursing as a profession?
I was drawn into the profession because my mum was a nurse/midwife/health visitor. As a child, my mum was frequently asked to help neighbors treat wounds and advise. I remember as a small child witnessing a car accident and my mum was the first on the scene. I was in awe of her and wanted to be like her. Through her experience, I saw career options in the health care profession. I also wanted to travel and having a nursing/midwifery qualification allowed me to work in Saudi Arabia for several years.
What can the general public do to elevate and support nurses, especially during these challenging times?
I would urge everybody to adhere to the current COVID 19 guidelines, stay home, and protect our healthcare workers. Healthcare workers didn’t sign up to put their lives on the line, but to treat and care for their patients. They are stepping up and making sacrifices and we need to do our part. During this time, the general public can assist by staying home, listening to and appreciating healthcare workers, and volunteering.
There are over 2,300 people in PRA with a background in nursing. Why do you think that so many former nurses are drawn to working in our industry and PRA?
I can only guess at their reasons for making this career change. They probably want to keep a link with healthcare but work more sociable hours. Believe me, after 20 years, I still appreciate my weekends and being able to plan my weekends in advance. Nurses come into the profession to make a difference. Through research, we can still make a difference.
Ratana Kulkantrakorn, Manager of Clinical Operations
Tell us what being a nurse means to you.
Being a nurse fits with my personal goal. We support others to be healthy, both mentally and physically.
Why were you drawn to nursing as a profession?
I am always happy helping others to be happy. It’s rewarding to care for the sick and see them recover. This profession also helps my family members regarding their health. I’m at my best when I’m able to help or give care to others.
What can the general public do to elevate and support nurses, especially during these challenging times?
It’s a difficult time for nurses and other healthcare providers to provide the best possible care while protecting themselves. We aim for high standards with limited resources. The general public must help by protecting themselves and understanding the situation. This will help us a great deal to allocate resources for the sickest people. Raising public awareness will make everyone healthy.
There are over 2,300 people in PRA with a background in nursing. Why do you think that so many former nurses are drawn to working in our industry and PRA?
Most of us may start with study coordinators or CRAs in our industry. The main CRA skills are communication, coordination, and a health sciences background. We all have patient-centric concepts and collaborative skills with involved parties in order to achieve project goals. PRA work ethics also fit with nursing competencies.
Sandra Davies, Manager of Clinical Operations, Clinical Operations, Clinical Delivery
Tell us what being a nurse means to you.
Being a nurse gave me the opportunity to make a difference in people’s lives when they were at their most vulnerable. I helped give them confidence that we had their best interests at heart. We would do all we could to get them home or give them the dignity and respect they deserved.
Working in HIV, I remember being so inspired by the patients. Their thirst for knowledge of the disease was admirable, and they were determined to help in whatever way they could to improve understanding and development of future treatments.
Why were you drawn to nursing as a profession?
To make a difference.
What can the general public do to elevate and support nurses, especially during these challenging times?
The general public needs to respect the personal sacrifices and commitments that nurses make and will continue to make when faced with future challenges. We all need to respect the government guidelines around social distancing to protect and allow the healthcare workers and other frontline staff to safely meet the demands of this coronavirus.
There are over 2,300 people in PRA with a background in nursing. Why do you think that so many former nurses are drawn to working in our industry and PRA?
For me personally, I worked as a research nurse in the late 80s at the forefront of the HIV epidemic. I saw firsthand the impact that the pharmaceutical industry had on treatment options and long-term survival outcomes for patients diagnosed with HIV.
Why PRA? It’s our diversity in offering a broad range of therapeutic areas, and also our people. COVID has really highlighted PRA’s culture of one family and our commitment to our teams and trial subjects.
Jan Kyle, Clinical Team Manager, Clinical Delivery
Tell us what being a nurse means to you.
It means an opportunity to help people and be a part of team with the same goals.
Why were you drawn to nursing as a profession?
My mother and grandmother were nurses. It was in the family!
What can the general public do to elevate and support nurses, especially during these challenging times?
I think a campaign to ensure going forward that nurses are better paid and supported within the National Health Service would be a good idea. It would attract more people into the profession.
There are over 2,300 people in PRA with a background in nursing. Why do you think that so many former nurses are drawn to working in our industry and PRA?
I think many nurses leave the profession due to inflexible shift patterns. The pharmaceutical industry is a natural progression, as we can use our skills and knowledge acquired over many years in a similar environment. We have many crossover skills, we’re excellent communicators with good organizational skills, and we’re great people managers. Many nurses, including myself, are also involved in research projects within the NHS and bring this experience with them.
Hans van der Meulen, Manager, Study Start-Up Delivery, Western Europe
Tell us what being a nurse means to you.
It means saving lives and supporting patients and relatives in difficult times. I worked for more than 10 years in a specialized oncology center, an environment where every extra day counts like an extra year. Nursing in that setting varies from experimental therapies, support for extra quality of life, emergency life support, and supportive care in the last days of a patient.
Why were you drawn to nursing as a profession?
I wanted to improve patients’ lives, contribute to developments of new treatments, and support patients in uncertain circumstances.
What can the general public do to elevate and support nurses, especially during these challenging times?
Adhere to the extra rules and restrictions, especially social distancing, because this has an effect on the pressure on hospitals, and so on nurses’ workloads.
There are over 2,300 people in PRA with a background in nursing. Why do you think that so many former nurses are drawn to working in our industry and PRA?
The intrinsic motivation is the same—supporting people, contributing to treatment improvements, and directing drugs to the market faster.
DIRECTORS

Katharina Flack, Director, Study Start-Up Delivery
Tell us what being a nurse means to you.
I felt I had a lot to give to patients and their families, and they would give back, too. Caring for others, helping them improve when they had been at their worst, or comforting them in their last hours always gave me a feeling of belonging and doing my bit for society.
Why were you drawn to nursing as a profession?
Both my parents are dentists. I helped them out at the practice by supporting with patient admin and even preparing easy cases when no assistants were available. I started to work in an assisted living facility when I was 15 outside school hours. It made me feel accomplished and proud helping elderly and sick people early in my life. I can’t recall ever having desire for another profession.
Initially I wanted to study medicine, but I felt that I would benefit from training as a nurse first. Clinical research found its way into my heart before I could start studying medicine, though.
What can the general public do to elevate and support nurses, especially during these challenging times?
The work conditions must be improved (salaries, benefits), as well as the public appreciation. I have worked as nurse in Germany and Sweden and I saw very different approaches to the job.
In current times, I believe we all have to pull together and thank medical staff for pulling through when they have their own families, young children, and parents at home. They put their life on the line for all of us. If you know a medical professional living in your area, offer to do their shopping or ask if they need support with childcare.
There are over 2,300 people in PRA with a background in nursing. Why do you think that so many former nurses are drawn to working in our industry and PRA?
It helps to understand “the other side.” I started as an in-house CRA in the industry 15 years ago, and I understood very well what was happening at the site. I think our medical backgrounds help us understand what we’re doing at PRA and why we’re doing it, and especially WHO we do it for.
I felt I had a lot to give to patients and their families, and they would give back, too. Caring for others, helping them improve when they had been at their worst, or comforting them in their last hours always gave me a feeling of belonging and doing my bit for society.
Katharina Flack, Director, Study Start-Up Delivery
ASSOCIATE DIRECTORS

Esther Prang, Associate Director of Clinical Operations EMEA, Strategic Solutions
Tell us what being a nurse means to you.
I wanted to help people get better and healthy again. My nurse education was broad, so we were trained to work in general hospital/psychiatry/mental and physically disabled/elderly and district nursing. After a few months working in a general hospital, I chose psychiatry and worked in that field for nearly 7 years.
Why were you drawn to nursing as a profession?
I started as a manager of a psychiatry ward and I later became a manager of a group of wards. This gave me the opportunity to be there for the employees in my team, supporting them where needed to give the best care for our patients.
I was also part of the policy team of the hospital, which gave me the feeling that I had influence in the process of giving the best care. Only when the government decided to decrease the financial support for the hospitals and promote the treatment for daycare and extramural, we had to decrease the amount of nurses on our team. As a result, student nurses had to work alone on a difficult group of psychiatry patients.
After nearly seven years, I was sad and tired of the fight and was losing the feeling that I could stop the change. Believe me, the change to more day treatment and outdoor patients was good, but people still within the hospital could not move to this new treatment.
What can the general public do to elevate and support nurses, especially during these challenging times?
Be respectful—not only in times we need nurses, but always. I tried to have regular moments together with my team once in a while, like a meal outside together. Doing fun activities with your coworkers is very important because it offsets the hard and emotional moments. Small gifts help because they show nurses that you think about them and it’s much appreciated.
There are over 2,300 people in PRA with a background in nursing. Why do you think that so many former nurses are drawn to working in our industry and PRA?
You leave the hospital not because you don’t want to care, but you want to care in a different way.
Even remaining a small part of the field of medicine is incredible. When I started as a CRA, those patients become (on paper) people you know and take care of. You follow the whole process of a patient during a trial and you enjoy being a part of that process.
I think nurses are used to the hospital atmosphere. We’re practical, hardworking, and multitasking people. I loved to have people like that on my team. PRA is an open and communicative company. Here, you feel like family. PRA recognizes you as an individual.
You leave the hospital not because you don’t want to care, but you want to care in a different way.
Esther Prang, Associate Director of Clinical Operations EMEA, Strategic Solutions

Victoria Hawkins, Associate Director of Clinical Operations, Clinical Operations, Clinical Delivery
Tell us what being a nurse means to you.
Being a nurse means caring for people when they are sick and helping them to feel better. It is a privilege and honor for them to trust in you, even though they don’t know you. Being a nurse helped me grow as person. Through nursing, I’ve seen what really matters in life and how fragile life is. I’ve learned to make every minute count.
Why were you drawn to nursing as a profession?
As a seven-year-old girl, I decided I wanted to become a nurse. Both my nanna and auntie were nurses. They were inspirational ladies and I wanted to be like them. I wanted to make a difference by saving, extending, and improving quality of life.
What can the general public do to elevate and support nurses, especially during these challenging times?
They can follow government guidance. Stay at home, wash your hands, and socially distance to keep our nurses and doctors safe and reduce the number of people being admitted to the ICU. When this is all over, the general public needs to remember how important our nurses are and to fight for them to have better pay and to be recognized for the amazing work they do. We all need to recognize the difference they’ve made during this pandemic and how they’re so selfless for putting others’ needs before their own.
There are over 2,300 people in PRA with a background in nursing. Why do you think that so many former nurses are drawn to working in our industry and PRA?
The reason we are all drawn to the industry and PRA is the need to make a difference. As a nurse, I worked on a Coronary Care Unit and impacted small numbers of people. Working for PRA, I have a much bigger impact. I can make a difference to the wider population, researching into new medicines and devices that will improve the lives of many generations in many therapeutic areas.
Jing Yang, Associate Director, Drug Safety Center, Asia-Pacific
Tell us what being a nurse means to you.
Being a nurse means being part of medical team providing patient holistic care and support.
Why were you drawn to nursing as a profession?
It’s a family influence for me. My mum was ophthalmologist, so I always awaited my mum to finish her evening rounds so we could go home together when I was young. The hospital is like my second home and nurses are like my family members.
What can the general public do to elevate and support nurses, especially during these challenging times?
I think the general public is appreciative during these challenging times. Everyone can see the sacrifice nurses make and the risks they take. It would be helpful if the general public doesn’t avoid nurses or their families as ”germ carriers.” If they are your neighbor, just treat them as part of your community as you normally would.
There are over 2,300 people in PRA with a background in nursing. Why do you think that so many former nurses are drawn to working in our industry and PRA?
Personally, I would say clinical research is an extension of patient care. Many nurses have moved from the front lines to clinical research, and they bring their frontline experience to drug/vaccine/medical device development to benefit patients and prevent disease.
CLINICAL RESEARCH/PROJECT ASSOCIATES

Cathleen Ng, Clinical Research Associate, Country Consultant for Singapore & Malaysia
Tell us what being a nurse means to you.
Compassion, selflessness, and saving lives.
Why were you drawn to nursing as a profession?
I was a member of St. John Ambulance in my high school. I represented my high school for a competition and prior to the competition, I was posted to a nursing school for one day to learn about nursing skills. That was when I first came in touch with nursing.
I took up nursing courses after graduating from high school. During the clinical attachment in the hospitals, I had physical contact with the patients. I felt great satisfaction helping them by applying what I’ve learned.
What can the general public do to elevate and support nurses, especially during these challenging times?
I hope the general public shows respect to nurses. In Singapore, the general public shows more respect to doctors rather than nurses. I believe nurses should receive equal respect because they work together as a team to ensure the patients are taken care of.
During this challenging time, I hope the general public is socially responsible by ensuring proper hand hygiene and social distancing. This will slow down the spread of COVID-19 and sustain medical resources.
There are over 2,300 people in PRA with a background in nursing. Why do you think that so many former nurses are drawn to working in our industry and PRA?
It must be our passion to save more lives!

Lena Liliebladh, Clinical Research Associate, Clinical Operations, Clinical Delivery
Tell us what being a nurse means to you.
It was always an obvious choice for me since I was a little girl. I was fascinated by the idea of meeting people, interacting together to facilitate their everyday lives, helping them to feel better, or sometimes giving them valuable end-of-life care.
Why were you drawn to nursing as a profession?
To be able to help and also to understand all functions in the body, what diseases do to it, and what cures may be available for treatment.
What can the general public do to elevate and support nurses, especially during these challenging times?
Please show appreciation for healthcare efforts and support healthcare in your community. It helps to provide more positive pictures of healthcare in public forums.
There are over 2,300 people in PRA with a background in nursing. Why do you think that so many former nurses are drawn to working in our industry and PRA?
Nurses are organized, with exceptional logistical and conversational skills. Solving acute issues is just one of the things we’re used to doing. The mix of strictly organized and out-of-the-box solutions in acute issues is stimulating.

Rachel Kuit, Sr. Project Associate, Strategic Solutions
Tell us what being a nurse means to you.
I am a midwife who trained and worked in the UK, where it’s not necessary to be a nurse first. Being a midwife has allowed me to gain a unique insight into the most important time of a person’s life. Being a midwife means being an autonomous healthcare professional who works with women and their families not only medically, but also socially to help their transition into motherhood.
Why were you drawn to nursing as a profession?
I was drawn into midwifery as a profession because I felt it was a good combination of human biology (my undergraduate degree) and a medical environment. I also liked that supporting women giving birth is generally a happy time for everyone. That was a lovely impetus to go into work every day!
What can the general public do to elevate and support nurses, especially during these challenging times?
I think the best way to currently support midwives and nurses is to remember that they are people too. They appreciate it when someone takes the time to say thank you or acknowledge the extra mile they go to provide the best care for their patients.
There are over 2,300 people in PRA with a background in nursing. Why do you think that so many former nurses are drawn to working in our industry and PRA?
I think many people with a midwifery/nursing background are drawn to our industry. It’s a way to be part of fast-moving initiatives that are at the forefront of medicine, especially with PRA’s innovative digital solutions that access clinical trial patients in new and exciting ways.
I think the best way to currently support midwives and nurses is to remember that they are people too. They appreciate it when someone takes the time to say thank you or acknowledge the extra mile they go to provide the best care for their patients.
Rachel Kuit, Sr. Project Associate, Strategic Solutions
Anja Vermaazen, Clinical Research Associate, Clinical Operations, Clinical Delivery
Tell us what being a nurse means to you.
For me, nursing is caring for other people in a wide perspective. It’s so satisfying to be there for someone and help other people in their wellbeing.
Why were you drawn to nursing as a profession?
As a child, I expressed to my parents that I wanted to become a nurse. The feeling of taking care of someone and helping them to get better was uplifting. Many people, especially the elderly, are socially isolated and in a lot of cases, the social part of the job was one of the best parts.
What can the general public do to elevate and support nurses, especially during these challenging times?
Please acknowledge the hard work that nurses do. It’s not only a physical job, but a mental job as well.
The general public needs to understand that nurses are also people with emotions and feelings.
There are over 2,300 people in PRA with a background in nursing. Why do you think that so many former nurses are drawn to working in our industry and PRA?
Stepping into the CRO industry after being a nurse is logical. Nurses cannot keep up with the physical aspect of the job forever, but they still want to care. Our industry gives the satisfaction of caring for other people in the widest meaning of the word.
Alice Agnew, BNurs, MSc, Clinical Research Associate, Clinical Operations, Clinical Delivery
Tell us what being a nurse means to you.
Being a nurse means being an advocate for patients and their families. It means caring for those who need it, and providing a safe, non-judgmental space for people to share their concerns.
Why were you drawn to nursing as a profession?
Having direct impact on people’s lives and taking on the opportunity to meet and build relationships with people.
What can the general public do to elevate and support nurses, especially during these challenging times?
Once we emerge from the coronavirus pandemic, I hope people will have a better understanding of what nurses do and be more considerate of nurses as individuals, recognizing the importance of the profession.
There are over 2,300 people in PRA with a background in nursing. Why do you think that so many former nurses are drawn to working in our industry and PRA?
At PRA, your clinical background is hugely beneficial in understanding protocols, clients, and most significantly, the sites and patients. Regardless of your role at PRA, we all have an impact on improving the quality of life for many people. Even if I’m not seeing patients directly, I’m working to advocate for my patients in finding a cure or better quality of life.
Eddie Pensom, Clinical Research Associate, Clinical Operations, Clinical Delivery
Tell us what being a nurse means to you.
For me, becoming a nurse initially meant a number of things. First and foremost, it was a job and a career. I followed a path that over time enabled me to provide for my family, opening many exciting and varied doors along the way.
But equal to this, nursing has shown me a side of our world and of humanity that I may not have seen had I taken a different path. It has taught me to look at people and their needs in a different way. It has taught me what a privilege it is to care for someone. Nursing made me grow as a person in a way that I may never have considered.
Why were you drawn to nursing as a profession?
Inevitably, at times of national and healthcare emergency, nurses and other healthcare workers are publicly applauded and elevated, especially in the media. While this sentiment is touching and often heartfelt, in my opinion there is not a great deal that the general public can do practically to support them other than to strictly follow the official guidance provided by government and health advisors. Healthcare professionals are highly trained to deal with these challenging situations.
In the bigger picture, the important thing the general public can do to help people who provide care is to remember that these people aren’t just available in a pandemic. They do it all the time—every day, week in week out. Most do it not for financial gain, but because they have chosen to do something that not everyone can do.
What can the general public do to elevate and support nurses, especially during these challenging times?
Nursing life can be demanding, both physically and psychologically. The hours put a damper on social life and the demands are high. After a career in nursing, many look to the CRO industry as a means of consolidating and developing their skills in the drug development industry, with working conditions, hours, and remuneration that are more attractive. A good understanding of healthcare structures, anatomy and physiology, management of medicines, exceptional interpersonal skills, and large volumes of common sense mean nurses from many specialties can make very worthwhile hires. Many nurses like myself have also worked on research projects in a clinical environment, managing patients who are taking part in clinical trials of new medicines.
There are over 2,300 people in PRA with a background in nursing. Why do you think that so many former nurses are drawn to working in our industry and PRA?
PRA takes a pragmatic approach in recruiting staff from the healthcare sector. We see the benefits these personnel can bring to the teams, acknowledge the needs that staff new to the industry will have, and offer comprehensive support in terms of bridging this transition. PRA provides exceptional functional management for new hires with an additional mentoring system that looks to link new staff from the healthcare sector with those who have followed a similar path previously.

Christie Oakes, Clinical Research Associate, Clinical Operations, Clinical Delivery
Tell us what being a nurse means to you.
Being a midwife to me is about a soothing touch, a reassuring smile, knowing when to talk, and when silence is just what the woman in my care needs. It is the ability to be calm and collected during times of emergency, knowing how to gain trust in just a split second so that you are trusted by a woman who you have only just met with her most treasured possession.
It is about putting every part of me into making that woman’s experience the best it possibly can be no matter what the outcome, being there for her even after my shift has ended because her needs come before mine. I am her advocate and sometimes the only one speaking to support her. It is my duty to ensure she has a voice.
Why were you drawn to nursing as a profession?
I was drawn to midwifery as I wanted to help improve the experiences and outcomes for women and their babies during pregnancy and birth. I wanted to make a difference to women during this transformational time in their lives and be there to support and guide them through it, whatever the outcome.
What can the general public do to elevate and support nurses, especially during these challenging times?
During these challenging times it’s even more important for the general public to support nurses, midwives, and the NHS as a whole. This can be done through as simple a thing as washing your hands thoroughly and listening to the advice on self-isolation and social distancing. Being mindful of the vulnerable population who may need extra support in your local area can help communities support each other and help those in need before they may require hospitalization.
Please be respectful to others around you. If you do have to attend a GP surgery or hospital, be patient. The NHS is stretched to its greatest capacity and your understanding during this time is priceless.
Nurses and midwives don’t ask for much. We do our job because we want to care for others but patience, respect, and consideration for others would make our jobs a lot easier during this time. There is also a significant shortage of PPE within our NHS and the community teams. Any fundraising that can be done to help increase the availability is invaluable and is greatly appreciated.
There are over 2,300 people in PRA with a background in nursing. Why do you think that so many former nurses are drawn to working in our industry and PRA?
I think, within patient-facing care, there comes a time when you realize that by stepping into research you can make a difference to the wider population and not just the patients you come face-to-face with on-shift.
We are always evidence-focused with our care and make sure that everything we do has research to support it. Therefore, I think it is natural progression to want to work within the source of practice and help improve patient care from the center through research.
PRA recognizes the skills nurses and midwives have and are fantastic in facilitating the transition from NHS to commercial research through their Bridge Program. I have always felt part of a team at PRA and incredibly supported by my colleagues, I have no doubt that these are just a few of the reasons why nurses and midwives seek to work at PRA.
It is about putting every part of me into making that woman’s experience the best it possibly can be no matter what the outcome, being there for her even after my shift has ended because her needs come before mine. I am her advocate and sometimes the only one speaking to support her. It is my duty to ensure she has a voice.
Christie Oakes, Clinical Research Associate, Clinical Operations, Clinical Delivery
Vasiliki Simeonidou, Clinical Research Associate, Clinical Operations, Clinical Delivery
Tell us what being a nurse means to you.
It’s a difficult job because you have to give 110% of yourself and your knowledge every day. You are dealing with human lives on a daily basis and need to be focused and careful in your work. The psychological part of the job is also very important to mention, sometimes you go home happy with how things turned out for your patient and sometimes you lose patients due to their diseases, which can be difficult to handle.
During the years I worked as a nurse, my emotions were put in a pot with the lid on. Two years after I stopped working as a nurse, I happened to see a movie about a cancer patient who eventually died in the movie. The movie opened the lid of my pot and I remembered cases that I thought I had forgotten about and I couldn’t stop crying, but when you work as a nurse in an infectious disease department you need to put the lid on, otherwise you cannot continue doing the job.
Nursing to me means to love and care for all humans—no matter who they are, where they come from, or what they believe in. Nursing is empathy, nursing is supporting people and making their vulnerable day bearable. Nursing is being a shoulder to cry on, someone who understands what you are going through. Nursing is giving hope.
Why were you drawn to nursing as a profession?
Actually, I wanted to become a midwife, but when I studied (I was born and raised in Sweden), in order to be a midwife, you had to study nursing, then work for 2 years as a nurse and complete additional studies to become a midwife. I worked as a nurse for almost 5 years in an infectious disease department and loved the work so much that I stopped thinking about being a midwife. I learned so many things every day that I could not imagine myself doing something else!
What can the general public do to elevate and support nurses, especially during these challenging times?
Respect their work and knowledge, understand that they chose this line of work because they want to help people. Praise them! Let them know that we are grateful they exist!
There are over 2,300 people in PRA with a background in nursing. Why do you think that so many former nurses are drawn to working in our industry and PRA?
I think that after some years as a nurse you could easily be burned out, as it is a difficult job. Working as a CRA, you get to be part of a big global team that are working on developing drugs that can save lives. You are part of saving lives but in a different way. It feels good inside when you know you have contributed to launching something that can save and improve people’s lives. It’s a job with a meaning, even if sometimes it doesn’t feel like it!
I started working as a CRA in a Greek CRO and in 2006, a friend of mine informed me that PRA was searching for freelancers. I thought I should give it a shot, so I applied and got the job as the first PRA CRA in Greece. I worked as a homebased freelancer (exclusively for PRA) for around 5 years and then I became a home-based employee, which I haven’t regretted!
Nursing to me means to love and care for all humans—no matter who they are, where they come from, or what they believe in. Nursing is empathy, nursing is supporting people and making their vulnerable day bearable. Nursing is being a shoulder to cry on, someone who understands what you are going through. Nursing is giving hope.
Vasiliki Simeonidou, Clinical Research Associate, Clinical Operations, Clinical Delivery
LIAISONS
Missy Hansen, Pediatric Strategy Liaison, Scientific Affairs Therapeutic Expertise
Tell us what being a nurse means to you.
Being a nurse, one takes on a LOT of responsibility. It’s about the journey we walk with our families every day, and how to do that with respect and care for patients, families, and ourselves.
People often have said, ”I don’t know how you do it.” Some days I’m not sure either, but I know that I can! With that comes a certain amount of obligation and responsibility to care for these families. In the oncology world, my primary focus, we often meet patients and families at their most vulnerable. A lot is laid on the table in those first few hours and days of a patient’s diagnosis—not only the disease, but the state of that person’s well-being and the family’s psychosocial dynamic. Much of that is bared to the nurse and others on the health care team. We often know more than the family’s immediate members and friends.
Being a nurse, you acknowledge all of that and work with the family at all times. It is important to remember it is a process, a journey, a new life or starting point for the newly diagnosed patient with cancer and their family. It’s important to walk with them and be supportive at all times.
Why were you drawn to nursing as a profession?
As I touched on lightly as to why I was drawn to nursing, I quickly knew that I could be an oncology nurse. I could care for a patient or family and go home and do it all over again the next day. Maybe because I knew they needed somebody like me. Somebody that wouldn’t let how I felt affect how I cared for them.
Patients and families, whether in primary care or an oncology clinic, want to know that you will do that right thing for their child. Even if you don’t know, they expect you to acknowledge that and find the answer. I was willing to take on that responsibility. I also thoroughly enjoyed it, and still do, even though I am doing it in a different context.
There is something so uplifting and humbling about caring for patients and families at their most vulnerable, often their lowest, and being a part of their team that walks them through that journey with such faith, commitment and love for one another. Their walk often makes me feel better about all of us in the world. They are amazing teachers, and I learn so much from each of them every day.
What can the general public do to elevate and support nurses, especially during these challenging times?
This is an easy one! Do what frontline workers recommend. Social distance!
I can only imagine how frustrating it must be for the nurses at the bedside. Not only are they working so hard, but then to see and hear about people that continue to ignore the US guidelines—it’s the pits! But we do it to keep the healthcare workers safe. We do it for them. Please don’t pretend you know more than the experts.
There are over 2,300 people in PRA with a background in nursing. Why do you think that so many former nurses are drawn to working in our industry and PRA?
My two adult daughters are graduating soon, both in nursing. I’ve always told them that the field of nursing is great for many reasons, but one of the best is that it allows you many different paths and options over your career.
I tell them to always be open to opportunities and challenges, because you don’t know where it can lead you. As I evaluated my career and where I was, I knew it could be a good time to consider a change. What drew me to PRA was that fact that my career change was based on and capitalized on my years of experience as nurse, especially in the area of hematology/oncology and clinical trials. For that I’m grateful to know that I can still continue to fight for my first nursing passion, pediatric hematology/oncology.
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