Chanel Watson

Dr. Chanel Watson is a Senior Lecturer and Programme Director in the School of Nursing and Midwifery at the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI), where she also serves as Deputy Director of Academic Affairs and coordinates Erasmus activities. She holds a Doctorate in Higher and Adult Education from Maynooth University (2020) and has additional postgraduate qualifications in Healthcare Ethics and Health Professions Education. Her research focuses on nursing education and prescribing practices, employing qualitative methodologies. She currently co-supervises 3 PhD students and is the primary supervisor for an additional 3. Dr. Watson has held roles in research ethics committees, including appointment to the National Research Ethics Committee for clinical trials in 2024, and has led national initiatives in nurse prescribing education frameworks. She has secured grants totaling over €1.6M for projects including nurse prescribing programs, gerontology education, and clinical trial coordination. Dr. Watson is an external examiner at multiple universities and actively reviews submissions for journals like Nursing Ethics and Journal of Nursing Education and Practice. Her professional engagements include leadership in national healthcare education reforms and international conference speaking engagements.

Education:

• MSc in Healthcare Ethics and Law, RCSI (2004–2006)
• Post Graduate Diploma in Health Professions Education, RCSI (2014–2015)
• Doctorate in Higher and Adult Education, Maynooth University (2016–2020)

Research Interests:

Dr. Watson’s work emphasizes advancing nurse and midwife prescribing education, healthcare ethics, and clinical trial coordination. She has pioneered programs such as Ireland’s first Professional Certificate in Musculoskeletal Casting and Splinting. Her qualitative research explores nurse-patient interactions in acute care settings and the impact of burnout on pediatric nursing outcomes. She advocates for evidence-based practices in pain management and patient safety.

Grants & Awards:

• €968,830 National Tender for PGDip Gerontology (2024)
• €450,000 Sexual Assault Forensic Nurse Examiner Education (2025)
• €225,180 Residential Care Education (2024)
• Fellowship of the Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery

Committees & Leadership:

• National Lead for Nurse/Midwife Prescribing Competency Framework (HSE/NMBI)
• Member of National Research Ethics Committee CT-D
• External Examiner for University of South Wales and University College Cork