OxInAHR/Nigel Groome Studentship: Developing an intervention to support global majority nurses who experience racism

The aim of this mixed methods PhD is to develop and pilot a mentorship intervention to support global majority nurses who have experienced racism. Global majority nurses make up over one quarter of the UK registered workforce and are more likely to experience higher levels of discrimination, bullying, harassment and racism from both patients and colleagues. However, racism directed at nurses is often mismanaged, inadequately reported and identified, minimised or ignored.

The experience of racism can lead to feelings of fear, anger, and helplessness, a breakdown in the nurse patient relationship, and a reduction in job satisfaction. Yet, there remains a lack of robust interventions to support global majority nurses who are exposed to racism on a regular basis. Tackling this problem could lead to improvements in wellbeing, job satisfaction, intention to stay in the profession, and coping behaviours, with longer term improvements to workforce retention and patient care outcomes.

This PhD studentship is supported by a multi-disciplinary supervisory team with experience in nursing and workforce development, psychology, qualitative and quantitative methods, and health services research.

Dr Zoe Davey is an OxInAHR Research Fellow, and an experienced mixed methods health services researcher with a background in psychology. Professor Catherine Henshall holds a clinical academic role across Oxford Brookes University and Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust, and is NIHR Associate Director of Nursing Midwifery. Dr Olga Kozlowska is a senior lecturer in research and knowledge exchange, and an experienced health and care researcher with a background in psychology.

The studentship will also benefit from the support of an experienced team of external advisors based within the UK and internationally. The PhD will build on work previously carried out by the supervisory team and it has the potential to lead to further post-doctoral projects and research collaborations.