Sonja Jayne McIlfatrick MBE FRCN is a nurse and Professor in Nursing and Palliative Care and Dean of Ulster Doctoral College[1] at Ulster University. She was the first non-American President of the International Network of Doctoral Education in Nursing.[2][3]
Sonja McIlfatrick | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | 30 March 1969 Belfast, County Antrim, Northern Ireland |
| Nationality | British |
| Citizenship | |
| Known for | Research on Chronic illness and Palliative care |
| Spouse | Alan McIlfatrick |
| Academic background | |
| Alma mater | Ulster University |
| Doctoral advisor | Hugh McKenna |
| Academic work | |
| Discipline | Nursing |
| Institutions | Ulster University |
| Website | pure |
Education
editShe attended Carrickfergus Grammar School in Northern Ireland. She started her nursing degree in the 1980s, and completed a four-year degree at Ulster University.[4] She earned a bachelor's degree in nursing, which inspired her interest in research. She eventually completed a doctorate in research, where she explored the experiences of patients, caregivers and nurses during day hospital chemotherapy.[5]
Professional life
editMcIlfatrick is a Registered Nurse and holds a BSc in nursing (1991) and a MSc in Advanced Nursing (1999) both from Ulster University where she also earned her PhD (2023) before being appointed to the faculty at Ulster University. She was made Professor in 2013.[5] During her leadership of the All Ireland Institute of Hospice and Palliative Care she established a focussed research network.[6][7] Her research considers chronic illness and palliative care and she has argued that palliative nursing should be part of education and training.[8] McIlfatrick holds visiting positions in Slovenia and Australia. She is an editorial board member of the Journal of Advanced Nursing the International Journal of Palliative Nursing, Annals of Palliative Medicine and the Journal of Pain and Symptom Management.
Awards and recognition
editIn 2003 McIlfatrick was awarded the Royal College of Nursing Nurse Researcher of the Year award.[9] She was elected Fellow of the Royal College of Nursing in 2020.[10] She is also a Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing (2020), a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (2011) and a Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery ad eundem (2007). In 2022 she was awarded the MBE for services to nursing.[11]
Personal life
editMcIlfatrick has said that she was always interested in working with people in the healthcare sector.[4] She is married to Alan McIlfatrick and they have two sons.
Select publications
edit- Sonja McIlfatrick (1 January 2007). "Assessing palliative care needs: views of patients, informal carers and healthcare professionals". Journal of Advanced Nursing. 57 (1): 77–86. doi:10.1111/J.1365-2648.2006.04062.X. ISSN 1365-2648. PMID 17184376. Wikidata Q79446939.
- Sonja McIlfatrick; Helen Noble; Noleen K McCorry; et al. (11 September 2013). "Exploring public awareness and perceptions of palliative care: a qualitative study". Palliative Medicine. 28 (3): 273–280. doi:10.1177/0269216313502372. ISSN 0269-2163. PMID 24026003. Wikidata Q85734191.
- Sonja McIlfatrick; Felicity Hasson; Dorry McLaughlin; et al. (17 September 2013). "Public awareness and attitudes toward palliative care in Northern Ireland". BMC Palliative Care. 12 (1): 34. doi:10.1186/1472-684X-12-34. ISSN 1472-684X. PMC 3848719. PMID 24044631. Wikidata Q37359785.
References
edit- ^ "Professor Sonja McIlfatrick". Ulster University. 21 November 2021. Retrieved 20 January 2023.
- ^ "Professor Sonja McIlfatrick". INDEN. Retrieved 20 January 2023.
- ^ "News Archive | University College Cork". www.ucc.ie. Retrieved 31 December 2022.
- ^ a b "Sonja McIlfatrick". www.nursingandmidwiferycareersni.hscni.net. Retrieved 31 December 2022.
- ^ a b "Exploring patients', caregivers' and nurses' experience of day hospital chemotherapy : a phenomenological study | WorldCat.org". www.worldcat.org. Retrieved 31 December 2022.
- ^ McIlfatrick, Sonja; Muldrew, Deborah H. L.; Hasson, Felicity; Payne, Sheila (27 September 2018). "Examining palliative and end of life care research in Ireland within a global context: a systematic mapping review of the evidence". BMC Palliative Care. 17 (1): 109. doi:10.1186/s12904-018-0364-7. ISSN 1472-684X. PMC 6161399. PMID 30261860.
- ^ Prof. Sonja McIlfatrick - The Contribution of Research to Palliative Care, retrieved 31 December 2022
- ^ pallcare (29 June 2022). "Leaders, advocates and voices for change: a message about future nurse leaders". EAPC Blog. Retrieved 31 December 2022.
- ^ "RCN Nurse Researcher of the Year Award" (PDF). www.RCN.org.uk. 23 January 2023. Retrieved 31 December 2022.
- ^ "Ulster University professor receives prestigious Nursing Fellowship". www.ulster.ac.uk. 16 July 2020. Retrieved 31 December 2022.
- ^ "New Year Honours: nursing staff recognised for outstanding service". www.ulster.ac.uk. 30 December 2022. Retrieved 20 January 2023.