Testing interventions to improve student nurses’ health - SHSC0010

Student nurses health-related behaviours are known to be poor on entry to undergraduate nursing programmes in England (Blake et al 2011), and generally worse than those of qualified nurses (Malik et al 2011). For example, less than half of student nurses meet government guidelines for physical activity and (Blake et al 2011) and over three-quarters did not meet dietary advice around consumption of fruit and vegetables (Blake et al 2011). Little is known about the health profile of Scottish student nurses, yet there is evidence that levels of obesity among qualified nurses are higher in Scotland than England (Kyle et al 2016, Kyle et al 2017) suggesting that the health profile of Scottish student nurses may be poorer than those in England. This project will (1) estimate the prevalence of health-related behaviours among Scottish students nurses, and (2) assess the acceptability and effectiveness of an existing educational intervention designed to improve student nurses health among Scottish student nurses.

Academic qualifications
A first degree (at least a 2.1) ideally in the health sciences (e.g., nursing, health psychology, medicine) with a good fundamental knowledge of intervention testing.

English language requirement
IELTS score must be at least 6.5 (with not less than 6.0 in each of the four components). Other, equivalent qualifications will be accepted. Full details of the University’s policy are available online.

Essential attributes:
• Experience of fundamental quantitative data collection and analysis methods.
• Competent in statistical analysis.
• Knowledge of intervention development and testing.
• Good written and oral communication skills
• Strong motivation, with evidence of independent research skills relevant to the project
• Good time management

Desirable attributes:
Experience of intervention testing would be beneficial.

When applying for this position please quote project code SHSC0010