Just back from Liverpool 2008 - another excellent International Research Conference held by the RCN Research Society - it does rain a lot in Liverpool!

Having missed last year's conference in Dundee because of work, PhD and Nurse Prescribing course commitments it was good to be back.  Meeting up with 'old' colleagues from previous conferences and colleagues met via the Health Foundation was great, plus meeting and making new friends.  Networking, and sharing trials and tribulations of PhD study is always supportive - I think I had forgotten quite how supportive though.  Essentially my PhD journey is a lonely one (not complaining) so it is good to have the opportunity to share with others undertaking a similar journey.  Interestingly, I met a few other clinical nurses this year who are also undertaking PhDs - when I first went along to Belfast 2005 I don't think I met anyone who was interested in following a clinical/research pathway, so times are definitely changing.  Hopefully, it is no longer just the HEI nurses who have the monopoly on PhDs.

My presentation on the Wednesday went well, the audience was small but select and good questions were asked.  The Clinical Editor from the Nursing Standard approached me afterwards and has asked me to write something for their journal.  Certainly, I feel that my confidence, and hopefully also competence, at presenting is continuing to improve.

So thank you to Liverpool, it was a great week - an opportunity not only to work hard but also to play hard with all the social events that were organised for each evening, I had a great time and look forward to meeting up with colleagues old and new at Cardiff 2009 if not before.