Emma?Boger PhD,?2014

Senior Research Fellow

Hi, I'm Emma Boger and I studied PhD within Health Sciences at the University of Ìì·¢ÓéÀÖÆåÅÆ_Ìì·¢ÓéÀÖAPP-¹ÙÍø|ÏÂÔØ.

The highlight of my time in academia has been the publication of my work and winning awards, along with being able to bring theory back into practise to help shape a better future for patients and the NHS alike.

Previously I had practised for over 10 years as an adult nurse in a variety of roles most recently on a condition management programme.? I began an MSc health and rehabilitation at the University of Ìì·¢ÓéÀÖÆåÅÆ_Ìì·¢ÓéÀÖAPP-¹ÙÍø|ÏÂÔØ as I wanted a new challenge and was lucky that my employer recognised the importance and value of continued professional development.

Following encouragement from my academic supervisors I exited my MSc at the beginning of my dissertation and transferred straight to a PhD after applying for a studentship.? My supervisors here were incredibly supportive and have been pivotal in the decision to continue my studies.

There is definitely a certain kudos attached to attaining a PhD but I have always naturally stretched myself in whatever I'm doing.

Having worked in hospital environments for a number of years I have the benefit of understanding that hospital is not necessarily the best environment for every patient.? My PhD was based around self-management and the research project I'm currently involved in continues to build on this.

Studying for a PhD can bring many opportunities. For example, in my final year of study, I jointly wrote a grant proposal with my supervisors for the two year funded project on self-management I'm currently working on.

I like the logical process and problem solving element of the researchers role and I get to employ a range of different skills from talking to patients one minute and being critiqued by academics the next.

As a mother of three, the advice I'd pass on to anyone wanting to continue professional study is to work hard from the very beginning and write something every day.? A PhD is a mammoth task and you just don't know what pitfalls may lay ahead, so it's important to keep a good pace up. By dedicating the hours to study and being honest with yourself you can do it.? I managed to complete within three years which is something I'm very proud of.