Hear from Margaret Sackey, a BSc and MSc of Nursing Studies graduate who has gone on to do her PhD with the Department of Nursing and Midwifery in UL:
“I started my educational journey at the University of Limerick in 2018 when I commenced my BSc Nursing Studies Programme. Even though in the beginning it was challenging, I was greatly supported in every step of my academic journey and transitioning to study in a new country. Having successfully completed my BSc Nursing Studies Programme in 2019, I then commenced my MSc Nursing Studies programme at the University of Limerick. The support, guidance, and encouragement I received from Faculty at the Department of Nursing and Midwifery has been phenomenal. With guidance, I was able to complete my BSc and MSc in Nursing studies and received a first-class honour in both. I have received outstanding learning opportunities that have helped support my professional and academic developments, whilst empowering me to develop myself as a researcher. The learning I have gained has helped transform me into an autonomous and curious learner, a critical thinker, a competent researcher, and an evidence-based practitioner who can source, review, and analyse evidence for implementation in practice. With encouragement and support from the nursing Faculty, I felt empowered to commence my PhD journey at the Department of Nursing and Midwifery, University of Limerick. Currently, I am a 4th year PhD candidate and hope to complete my PhD next year. My learning and transformations whilst undertaking my PhD have been life changing. To date, I have published two nursing papers in high impact nursing journals.
Efua Sackey, M., Markey, K., Grealish, A. (2022). Healthcare professional’s promotional strategies in improving Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination uptake in adolescents: A systematic review. Vaccine, 40 (2022) 2656–2666, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vaccine.2022.03.054
Markey, K., Efua Sackey, M., Oppong-Gyan, R. (2020). Maximising intercultural learning opportunities: learning with, from and about students from different cultures. British Journal of Nursing, 29(18, 1-5). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33035086/
With the guidance and support of my PhD supervisors from the Department of Nursing and Midwifery, I was awarded a Faculty of Education and Health Science PhD fee waiver scholarship for two academic years. In 2023, I was awarded the very prestigious Irish Research Council postgraduate scholarship https://www.ul.ie/news/university-of-limericks-top-early-career-researchers-among-recipients-of-flagship-irc-funding. These successes are testimony to the support, guidance and encouragement I have and continue to receive from the teaching faculty.
I could not have accomplished all these amazing achievements without taking the leap of faith to study at the Department of Nursing and Midwifery, University of Limerick. The counsel and teachings have broadened my knowledge and understanding into nursing, health education and research.”