Nursing & Midwifery

The Bayside Health Peninsula Nursing and Midwifery Research Unit is dynamic, growing, and dedicated to advancing evidence-based care through innovative research. Led by Associate Professor Cathleen Aspinall, the Unit fosters a culture of inquiry and excellence, empowering nurses and midwives to become leaders in clinical and health services research. In partnership with Monash University’s School of Nursing and Midwifery, the unit supports high-quality studies that improve patient outcomes and healthcare delivery.

Our research prioritises person-centred fundamental care and aims to embed research into everyday practice. Projects span maternal health, aged care, chronic disease management, critical care and workforce development, with a strong focus on community engagement and interdisciplinary collaboration. Nurses and midwives are supported through mentoring, education, and research pathways that build capability and capacity across all levels of practice.

Research focus

• Developing frameworks to embed research into practice through assessing an organisation’s maturity in supporting nurses to engage in research-related activities.
• Building research capacity and capability among nurses and midwives through the exploration and development of clinical academic career pathways in collaboration with academic partners like Monash University.
• Conducting health services research embedding person centred fundamental care into practice, policy and education that addresses workforce development, patient experience, and community health needs across the Frankston and Mornington Peninsula region.

Our Collaborators 

Nationally, we work in partnership with Monash University, have close links to the National Centre for Healthy Aging, Monash Partners Health Translation Network, Flinders Caring Futures Institute and College of Nursing and Health Sciences. Internationally, we have close links with The University of Auckland and collaborate with the Fundamentals of Care Aotearoa Research Stream and the International Learning Collaborative.

For research and clinical trial queries contact:

Associate Professor Cath Aspinall 
Email: CAspinall@phcn.vic.gov.au

OR

Kate Beckwith, Research Administration
Email: KBeckwith@phcn.vic.gov.au 

Staff