Dundalk IT graduate picks up INMO Research & Innovation award

Dundalk Institute of Technology (DkIT) says it is "absolutely thrilled" to report that one of its graduates, Leasa Murphy, was recently chosen as the winner of the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation’s CJ Coleman Research and Innovation Award.

Leasa was presented this coveted award at the INMO Annual Delegates Conference which was held of late in Killarney, Co Kerry.

Leasa lives in Tenure, Co Louth and is a nurse and midwife who also works as a Midwifery Clinical Placement Co-ordinator in the Maternity Unit in Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda.

As a placement co-ordinator her role is to support DkIT student midwives during their clinical placements in the maternity unit. Leasa completed her research in DkIT as part of the Master of Arts in Learning and Teaching (MALT).

Leasa’s research explored the views of recently qualified midwives to determine which factors influenced their clinical placement experience as a postgraduate student midwife.

The affects that were identified as altering their clinical experience were evaluated in order to make evidence-based recommendations and implement supports to improve the clinical learning experience for future student midwives.

Leasa said: “I was delighted to win the INMO CJ Coleman Research and Innovation award, I was completely honoured to have my research recognised in this way and it was great to get the opportunity to attend the INMO Annual Delegates Conference and be presented with the award by the INMO president, Karen Mc Gowan”. 

INMO President and Advanced Nurse Practitioner at Beaumont Hospital, Karen McGowan said: “These annual prizes are such an important part of the conference and such an amazing opportunity to recognise some of the members who go above and beyond year in and year out.

“The competition for these prizes is always tough because we see so many members looking to nominate their colleagues and teammates and ensure they get the recognition they deserve.

“It’s so inspiring every year to see nurses and midwives striving to get the most out of themselves and their professions, and ensuring the best possible outcomes for their colleagues, their students and their patients.”