Â鶹app

Between long lectures, difficult exams, 12-hour clinicals, and searching for a job, all while continuing to make time for family and friends, it is hard to imagine fitting in undergraduate research. But UNH offers endless avenues to conduct research that interests you and I am here to tell you that it is possible and valuable to conduct research even being in a rigorous major. As a senior nursing student at the Â鶹app, I have developed an interest in research that could help improve people’s experience/quality of life both in and out of the clinical setting by using nature and evolving technology. I navigated through the challenges and successes of creating a pilot research study and along the way I not only enhanced my research skills but also my time management, communication, and presentation skills. Here is what I have learned about making the most out of research and balancing it all as an undergraduate. 

Getting Started

If you are intrigued with the idea of research but unsure of what you want to do, find a mentor. Looking for a faculty member whose ideas align with your own may seem intimidating, but they are always looking for students who are interested in research and happy to help. It is imperative you have a mentor, especially when applying for awards and funding through the Hamel Center, and having someone experienced and passionate about their work will get you through the process. I found it helpful to talk with graduate students who have worked with faculty in the past as they could give a different perspective on how the experience goes as a student with many other commitments. A great way to check out nursing faculty research interests is by going to the nursing faculty directory, as many list their research interests in their bio. You can also look at the Hamel Center’s Undergraduate Research Directory of faculty interests. Nursing faculty have a wide variety of interests including pediatrics, critical care, public/global health, mental health, reproductive rights, sustainability, and the list goes on. I am working with my mentor on the impacts of nature/virtual reality nature on psychological well being and stress levels.. It is inspiring to have so many faculty that want to make the field better and include students in their research as well. 

I first developed an interest in research by becoming a teaching assistant for a nursing class. My mentor, Dr. Gibran Mancus, was looking for research assistants for a study that sparked my interest, and I was able to seamlessly jump into the opportunity. This was a great way to dip my toes into nursing research and build connections that led to other opportunities. 

Time Management Tips 

When I found my mentor, we made a plan to apply for an Undergraduate Research Award (URA). This type of award offered the flexibility I needed to fit research into my highly structured nursing schedule. The application asks you to submit a detailed timeline for each week of the research period. This structure is to hold you accountable and organized, but I learned quickly how challenging research becomes when obstacles are thrown your way that impact your schedule. I’ve learned to stay organized in not only research but also with other commitments like assignment due dates and clinical days by creating a calendar for the whole semester. This may seem overwhelming, but time can get away from you if you do not have a clear vision of what is to come. The UNH Center for Academic Resources (CFAR) offers a calendar that I have used every semester to stay organized. You can download or print it and fill in all your due dates, clinicals, meetings with your mentor, and more. 

Being flexible is important as nursing school schedules shift each semester. For example, this semester I am doing my nursing practicum on the night shift, so I had to adjust my schedule to ensure I get enough rest. As you can see from my sample calendar from this semester, I tried my best to maintain balance of doing what I need to meet with my mentor, get my clinical hours in, and complete my class work, all while saving time for fun my senior year. 

Things to Remember

Research is rarely straightforward and there are many barriers you will face as you navigate through the process. One large barrier I faced was getting approved by the Institutional Review Board (IRB) because our research included human participants. It was a brand-new study, so it was somewhat more challenging to obtain approval, but this step is essential for ensuring the project meets the necessary ethical and professional standards. Another obstacle I am facing this semester is completing my practicum experience, in which I shadow a nurse one-on-one for 252 hours in Cambridge, MA. My placement on the night shift, which is common for many new graduate nurses, has caused additional complexity to my research experience. I have had to manage my time so I can complete all my clinical hours, go to class, and conduct our research project. It has not been easy, but I am proud of the progress I have made and the valuable lessons I have learned. 

When your timeline is thrown off from trying to obtain IRB approval, and you have exams, clinical twice a week and more, it is important to not give up and stay persistent. That being said, make sure to keep time for yourself. Between school, work, clinicals, and research, burnout can sneak up and cause problems. Taking breaks and keeping a balance in your life helps me produce my best work and care. 

Although balancing a nursing schedule with research is not easy, it is very rewarding to play a small part in improving the lives of people through research. I am grateful for the learning opportunities I have been given with a URA and for deepening my understanding of evidence-based practice through the research process. I hope to carry these skills through my future research and into my nursing career and I encourage you to get involved and do the same.