The findings outlined in Sandra’s winning poster arose from research conducted through the Health Research Board (HRB) Summer Scholarship
Sandra Murnane, a final year student on the BSc (Hons) in Intellectual Disability Nursing was awarded the Best Poster Presentation in the Onlology, Palliative and Ethical Care stream at the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland 40th Annual International Nursing &Midwifery Research and Education Conference.
Sandra's award winning poster presentation was titled 'Dying, Death and Caring: What Student Nurses Want to Know' and her research was funded by a HRB Summer Student Scholarship 2020.
Sandra is a mature student studying intellectual disability nursing and who works in St Vincent’s Hospital in Athy, Co Kildare. Her son is a special Olympic athlete an organization for which Sandra volunteers. Sandra returned to education to follow her lifelong dream of being a nurse after many years with the support of her family, friends, and colleagues.
The Summer Student Scholarships support undergraduate students in health or social care-related disciplines to complete short research projects during the summer. The purpose of the scholarship scheme is to encourage an interest in research and give students an opportunity to become familiar with research techniques.
Research encouragement and support
Sandra explains why she applied for the Health Research Board (HRB) Summer Scholarship.
"During my nurse education, I quickly developed a passion for research and was encouraged by my lecturer and supervisor Dr Mary Reidy to apply for the HRB exploring a topic I am passionate about palliative and end-of-life care and undergraduate nurse education in this area of care. I would also like to thank my mentor and lecturer Geraldine Purcell for her support and encouragement.”
“WIT has been very supportive and encouraging during my education and research journey. I am very privileged to be mentored by professionals that are experts in their field of both education and research.” I
In her HRB Summer Scholarship scholarship application, she outlined the intention to explore the evidence regarding the inadequacy of the undergraduate curricula in palliative and end-of-life nurse education.
Drawing upon national and international literature to conduct a meta-synthesis on this topic Sandra utilised the stages developed by Sande-lowski and Barroso (2007) to retrieve qualitative data from peer-reviewed primary research publications.
Medical research interest
Her dreams for the future include working in the area of Palliative and end-of-life nursing care and continue to experience and be involved in medical research.
To date, Sandra’s research has been included in the 7th Annual University Hospital Waterford Research Day 2021 and The Royal College of Surgeons Faculty for Nursing and Midwifery 40th Annual International Nursing and Midwifery Research and Education Conference for which she won the Best Poster Presentation in Oncology, Palliative and Ethical Care stream.
Related Courses
- Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Intellectual Disability Nursing
- Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Psychiatric Nursing
- Bachelor of Science (Honours) in General Nursing
- Master of Science in Nursing
- Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Nursing Studies for Clinical Practice
- Certificate in Emergency Nursing
- Certificate in Pre-Admission Nursing
- Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Applied Health Care
- Bachelor of Science in Applied Health Care
- Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Health Sciences (Common Entry)
- Certificate in Management for Healthcare Professionals
- Certificate in Management and Leadership for Healthcare
- Master of Arts in Advanced Facilitation Skills for Health and Well Being
SETU Waterford, Cork Road, Waterford City, 
