Stephanie Burton
The Compassionate Mindful Resilience (CMR) programme focuses on building an individual’s own resilience and finding ways to be mindful in every- day events and activities to boost overall health and wellbeing (Panesar-woods, 2020). This course is designed to be delivered 2 hours per week for 4 consecutive weeks. Due to the flexibility of this course, it can be delivered online or face to face. This can be adapted to fit with the nursing/ midwifery student’s need. Previous studies have implemented shortened mindfulness programmes which have proven to reduce anxiety levels similarly to those studies that have trialled MBSR 8-week programmes (Beanlands, et al.2019; Lan, et al. 2014; Van der Riet, et al. 2015).
Read more Read lessMy project is funded by the Department for the Economy (DfE).
What is your ideal Research outcome?
- The overall aim is to test the feasibility of delivering a CMR programme online
- Improve the overall wellbeing of undergraduate nursing and midwifery students
- Publish findings to add to the evidence base as CMR is currently not tested in midwifery and nursing students
- Develop the protocol for a definitive randomised controlled trial and economic evaluation of a CMR 4 week programme as opposed to a longer mindfulness intervention
Supervisors
Dr Helen Noble, Dr Clare McVeigh, Professor Chantal Ski and Dr Claire Carswell
Why did you choose this PhD and why at Queen’s?
I completed my BSc Adult Nursing and MSc Advanced Professional Practice in Acute and Critical Care both at Queen’s University. I loved my time at Queen’s so for me I wouldn’t wish to study my PhD anywhere else. I love the community, the teaching and overall work/life balance that Queen’s provides for their students.
How have you been supported at Queen’s?
Queen’s have provided me with excellent support. I have a fantastic supervision team and receive regular feedback and support from them. I have attended masterclasses, seminars and provided me with quantitative research methods training. I also have received support to complete my level 4 Integrating Mindfulness and Compassion teaching programme with Mindfulness UK.
In what ways have you developed at Queen’s?
I have developed as a researcher due to excellent supervision support and additional courses. As a PhD student currently studying at home during a pandemic it has been difficult to maintain motivation without peer support. This has built resilience I never knew I had.
Can you describe the postgraduate community in the School and at Queen’s?
Postgraduate community is fantastic. The graduate school provide a wide variety of masterclasses and teaching. The School of Nursing PhD student weekly online coffee mornings have also been a great way to meet new people as I have yet to step foot on campus as a PhD student!
Where do you hope your PhD will lead?
I hope studying a PhD will lead to a job lecturing and supporting students.
Anything else you would like to add or advice to new PGR students?
Commit, be passionate and never give up when things get tough.