Clair Harris Head of research workforce (nursing, AHPs and practitioners), Guy’s and St Thomas’ Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, London, England
Naomi Hare Research matron, Guy’s and St Thomas’ Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, London, England
Laura McCabe Research matron, Guy’s and St Thomas’ Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, London, England
Hemawtee Sreeneebus Research matron, Guy’s and St Thomas’ Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, London, England
Teresa Crowley Research practice educator, Guy’s and St Thomas’ Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, London, England
Why you should read this article:

• To explore the skill set and standards of competency in research delivery practice

• To understand the learning and development needs of nurses and midwives transitioning into research delivery roles

• To learn how one NHS trust developed and implemented a novel competency framework for research delivery

Background Clinical research nurses and midwives (CRN/Ms) are highly specialised registered nurses. They combine their clinical nursing expertise with research knowledge and skills to aid in the delivery of rigorous, high-quality clinical research to improve health outcomes, the research participant’s experience and treatment pathways (Beer et al 2022). However, there is evidence that the transition into a CRN/M role is challenging for registered nurses.

Aim To discuss the development of a competency framework for CRN/Ms.

Discussion The authors identified a gap in their organisation for standards that would support the development of CRN/Ms new to the role. The standards needed to be clear and accessible to use while encompassing the breadth of scope of CRN/Ms’ practice. The authors used a systematic and inclusive process drawing on Benner’s (1984) theory of competence development to develop a suitable framework. Stakeholders engaged in its development included research participants, inclusion agents and CRN/Ms.

Conclusion The project identified 15 elements that are core to the CRN/M role and the knowledge, skills and behaviours associated with it.

Implications for practice A large NHS trust has implemented the framework. It is also being shown to national and regional networks. Evaluation is under way.

Nurse Researcher. 32, 1, 36-42. doi: 10.7748/nr.2023.e1900

Correspondence

clair.harris@gstt.nhs.uk

Peer review

This article has been subject to external double-blind peer review and checked for plagiarism using automated software

Conflict of interest

None declared

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