The development and research process of my dissertation sat alongside the MSc modules and I was able to reflect on taught learning as I worked at the research project. This enabled the dissertation to be broader than it ever could be as a ‘standalone’ piece of work. So, what has happened since? Well, I am currently on a secondment into our Patient and Family Services department working with teams to develop their services to reach more people – patients, carers and those men and women who are bereaved. I am also fortunate to be one of the coordinators for the Psychosocial, Ethical and Spiritual modules on the MSc. Learning is a life-long experience and the MSc was part of that experience. I can recommend joining this course. It is genuinely multi-professional and every participant is a learner on a journey.
Lucy Coombes Clinical Nurse Specialist, UK
I was working as a Clinical Nurse Specialist in a paediatric palliative care team and wanted to undertake further study to develop my clinical and research skills as well as improve my career prospects. I chose the MSc in palliative care at King’s, due to it being multi-professional and multi-cultural, with a good balance of clinical, research and service development modules. I had also studied at King’s before and found it a supportive and enjoyable place to learn. I enjoyed the focus on research methods and the emphasis on evidence-based practice. One of the strengths of the MSc is its multi-professional nature which allowed holistic discussions around all aspects of palliative care. The MSc was also a valuable opportunity to network with others working in palliative care. Studying on the MSc allowed me to develop my research and leadership skills helping me to gain a promotion within the NHS and equipping me with the necessary skills to undertake a PhD. Since leaving the MSc I have been able to establish a research programme within the my hospital palliative care team, and was part of the committee that wrote the first ever NICE guidelines for end of life care in children and young people. I have since been promoted to a managerial position in my clinical team and have recently returned to the Institute to undertake a PhD. The MSc has given me so many opportunities to do things both professionally and academically that I would never have considered beforehand. 17
