Patience Domingos

Health PhD

Patience began her academic journey at BCU over 24 years ago, and has progressed from two bachelor’s degrees, to a masters and now a PhD. As a passionate nurse who worked tirelessly with her team during the COVID-19 pandemic, she is determined to advocate with her research for a better future for the physical and mental wellbeing of nurses.   

“I started my PhD journey in 2021, just after completing my Master’s degree in Public Health, and I am currently in my final year. I’ve also been with BCU since the year 2000. It’s incredible to think how much has changed since then, yet BCU has been a constant in my life. From a BSc Health Studies, to my BSc in Adult Nursing and later my MSc in Public Health; this university has been my academic home for so long that it feels like a part of me.

This university has been more than just an educational institution for me; it’s been a place of growth, learning and discovery, both personally and professionally. It is where I developed my passion for health; a passion that has driven my career and developed the skills and confidence to bring that passion into real world research. The support I have received from the university, both academically and for my personal growth has been invaluable.

I am researching the experiences of nurses working during and after the COVID-19 pandemic, specifically focusing on their physical and mental wellbeing. As a qualified nurse myself, this topic is not just an academic endeavour, but a deeply personal topic which resonates with mine and my colleagues’ journeys.

During the pandemic, I served as a clinical research practitioner at my trust, where I was the lead nurse for the national SIREN COVID-19 study, researching immunity and vaccine effectiveness.

Every day, I witnessed the extraordinary challenges that nurses and other healthcare workers within my trust faced as they navigated a constantly evolving crisis. The relentless demands of their roles, coupled with the emotional weight of witnessing suffering and loss, took a significant toll on their physical and mental wellbeing.

Nurses are often at the forefront of patient care, yet their voices and experiences frequently go unheard. As someone who has walked in their shoes, I felt compelled to shine a light on their voices and advocate for their needs.

What truly drove me to this research was the stark reality of how many nurses continued to suffer long after the immediate crisis of the pandemic had subsided. I saw colleagues grappling with lingering effects of long-COVID, experiencing burnout, and facing physical and mental health challenges.

With my PhD, I aim to amplify the voices of nurses and highlight the urgent need for comprehensive wellbeing initiatives tailored to their specific needs. I believe that understanding their experiences will help inform better strategies and policies within the NHS that safeguard their wellbeing. Ultimately, my research seeks to ignite a cultural shift within the NHS, recognition that caring for healthcare workers is just as vital as caring for patients.

The PhD journey has been a deeply transformative experience for me. The first year was all about finding my feet. I had to adjust to the rhythm of independent research, which was quite different from the structured learning I had been used to during my previous degrees. Research is not a linear process, rather, it is full of twists and turns, and I have learned to embrace that unpredictability. Looking back now, I can see how much I have evolved.

Looking ahead, my aspirations are rooted in my passion for health and well-being, particularly for those working on the frontlines of healthcare. Having spent years researching the impact of the pandemic on nurses, I am determined to take what I have learned and apply it in a way that creates lasting change.

For me, ‘I AM BCU’ embodies a profound sense of community, belonging and shared purpose. It signifies not just an affiliation with an academic institution but a commitment to a collective vision that extends beyond the walls of the university.”