It's OK to ask

• start asking patients and clients you see about whether they would like to take part in research
• develop a curiosity to ask questions - every patient encounter is an opportunity

Have a go

• conduct an audit or quality improvement project
• carry out a literature review (with library and knowledge services if available) to see if your service and practice can be improved
• identify what your learning needs are and whether you can attend relevant training, such as through NIHR Learn

Check out

• see if there are any research-related events, campaigns or newsletters that are run by your own research and development department
• review the Your Path in Research campaign materials to find out what research careers are available
• see what research is going by looking at Be Part of Research
• check with your organisation to see if you can support any active studies
• see what charities are saying about research in your area of practice and get involved in fundraising:
  • British Heart Foundation
  • Cancer Research UK
  • Age UK
  • Diabetes UK
  • Versus Arthritis
  • Alzheimer's Research UK
  • Stroke Association

It's OK to ask

• join a research group and attend seminars
• connect with your speciality leads via our Getting Connected page

Have a go

• undertake formal training courses – such as Good Clinical Practice or Research in the NHS. Participants will need to have an NIHR Learn account to access the course. Information about NIHR Learn, including how to access the platform, can be found in the NIHR Learn Help pages.
• join the the NIHR’s Principal Investigator Pipeline Programme, which helps nurses and midwives develop the skills and experience to take on a Principal Investigator role
  promote the value of research in your department
• join the Associate Principal Investigator scheme

Check out

• contact your research and development department to see if you can get involved in an active study – there are lots of different roles such as recruiter, rater, sub-investigator, data manager, and delivering an intervention, that could match with your interest and skill set

It’s OK to ask

• consult the advice your professional body has to offer (for example, the Royal College of Midwives, the Nursing and Midwifery Council or the Health and Care Professions Council)
• speak to your specialty group lead about funding opportunities
  consult the Research Support Service if you're interested in developing your own research proposal
• ask for advice from like-minded colleagues who are research active
• contact your local university to find out what training, research and career opportunities are available

Have a go

• consider applying for master's degree or a PhD
• join a research group preparing a funding application
• develop your CV by exploring options to present and publish research or literature reviews

Check out

• keep an eye out for research vacancies such as clinical research officer within the NIHR or your local trust
• view this series of 10 videos, which give advice and tips on becoming a clinical academic
• consider academic training routes, such as the HEE-NIHR Integrated Clinical and Practitioner Academic Programme or the Clinical Academic Training Hub (CATCH)
• find a mentor, for example through the Research Mentor Directory
• explore the NIHR Nursing and Midwifery incubator
• visit the Researcher Development Institute - Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust website
• read the The Allied Health Professions Strategy for England: 2022 to 2027 AHPs