Interview: Nicola Griffin Teall

How did you become a research nurse and what attracted you to working in early phase research?
I have been nursing for over 20 years, working in a variety of settings. I was looking for something a little more challenging and I was fortunate to be offered a position as an anaesthetic research nurse. I was in this role for two years, and I worked with patients undergoing surgery, and with ITU patients. I enjoyed this position but I had always been keen to work in oncology and when a research nurse position was offered to me in this field, I was thrilled. I have to be honest, like most trials nurses, I didn’t know much about early phase trials and what it truly meant when I first started, it was a massive learning curve. However, I can honestly say that after nearly three years I still really enjoy it. I love the challenge it presents and the diversity. It stretches you and has many complexities; however, it’s a very rewarding role.

Could you briefly describe what your job entails; what would a typical day look like (if there is such a thing)?
I work on a number of studies, most of which are gastric, colorectal and pancreatic. Days are varied: meeting patients who are given PIS (Patient Information Sheets) and chat to them about the trial and their choices, and what their participation might involve; organising scans and other trial schedules; ensuring chemotherapy and trial treatments are ordered; and administering the treatments themselves. I manage site files and sort out queries, detail SAEs (Serious Adverse Events) and communicate with the study centres. I work on commercial, non-commercial and university studies and last year I was involved in an MHRA inspection. I would say my day is always busy, and varied, but I love the challenge and the autonomy. I have to say though that it is reassuring to work within a great team, as there is always peer support and someone to turn to for advice and support.

What do you most enjoy about your role?
I enjoy working closely with patients and being able to spend time with them, building a relationship; something that is often difficult in some nursing roles. I enjoy the variety of the role; no two days are the same. I also enjoy that as a research nurse, many of the skills we are taught as nurses are used, both with communications and clinically.

Your interaction with cancer patients comes at a difficult time in their lives as they may have run out of options with their cancer treatment. How do you manage your patients’ expectations?
This is never easy to anticipate. It’s important to be honest. You can never assume anything; each patient is individual and no two patients react in the same way to a treatment regimen. And this is what I say to patients. I think it’s important that you can give the patient some reassurance and that you are a point of contact for them throughout their time on the trial, so they always have someone to talk to regarding their thoughts or concerns.

How do you switch off from work at the end of the day?
I have a busy home life with three children and two dogs to run around after. I also volunteer at the local scout group as an assistant scout lead; there is nothing like working with kids to take you away from the stresses that this job might bring.

You’re a member of the steering committee for the ECMC Research Nurse Network Group. How do you think the ECMC Research Nurse Network Group can help research nurses working in the early phase environment?
Once I joined the steering committee, the ECMC started to make sense, and so being an ‘ECMC Nurse’ became more than just a title. I feel that the Network Group provides a really good forum for early phase research nurses to discuss concerns and experiences in an informal and supportive way. It links nurses together who may feel quite isolated in their role and helps them to realise they are not alone! I also think it helps nurses to realise they are doing things right, may be just in a different way – each ECMC works differently and has good and challenging experiences to share.

In some ways, research nurses are the human face of the scientific research. How involved are you in the science and what would you change about the way trials are run?
I am not involved in the science; I leave that area up to the experts. I work on a number of studies and I work closely with the University on one particular chemoprevention study. In my role as a research nurse, I liaise with patients about the study, schedule appointments and screen potential patients. I collect blood samples and communicate with the doctors or lab staff regarding the timing and collection of these, and I also collate study data and document this appropriately. I’m a point of contact for the patient throughout their time on the study and I coordinate their care in line with the protocol and their needs. As a department I think we have a very good team and a system that works very well. I wouldn’t change how things are run. I am proud to be part of this organisation and I really do enjoy working within a department that offers such a variety of treatment options and a continual hope for our patients that we will eventually be able to give them a better chance of living longer with cancer.

Nicola Griffin-Teall is a research nurse at Leicester ECMC.