Nurse Emma to help put Caboolture Hospital on the research map

Emma’s role as a Clinical Research Nurse is split between Caboolture ICU and HeIDI.

Emma Williams recently joined the Caboolture Kilcoy and Woodford Research Development Unit in a new clinical trials nurse position – a collaboration between CKW surgical and intensive care stream and the Herston Infectious Diseases Unit (HeIDI).

Emma started her nursing career in a rural hospital (Charleville), gaining experience in various areas such as medical, aged care, emergency, and Occupational Therapy.

Working rurally was second nature for Emma who has always had keen sense of adventure, after growing up in Papua New Guinea, and more recently, volunteering to be a medic for her dad driving alongside him while he competed in the Race Across America (5000km cycle in 11 days) in 2019.

Emma eventually moved out of the bush and started at Caboolture Hospital in early 2020 moving straight into the Intensive Care Unit, completing the rapid upskill transition program in preparation for COVID-19.

Emma was then successful in obtaining the Clinical Nurse Research position in January 2024.

“My love of research developed throughout my Master of Nursing degree and has increased ten-fold since joining the Research Development Unit (RDU) at Caboolture Hospital,” Emma said.

Emma’s role as a Clinical Research Nurse is split between Caboolture ICU and HeIDI.

Emma coordinates clinical trials and other research projects that help develop local research clinicians and assists in getting Caboolture Hospital involved in large scale international research projects that aim to improve treatment options for the local community.

“Having links within RDU, ICU and HeIDI give a greater variety of contacts and resources to provide greater opportunities, education, and assistance to clinicians with research aspirations,” she said.

“My goal will be to commence my PhD in the coming years, becoming further etched in Caboolture’s research workforce as I love the idea of having a hand in improving healthcare practice and in turn patient outcomes.”