Fiona Bastow

Fiona Bastow is a Lecturer in the School of Health and Social Care at Edinburgh Napier University and an active member of the Centre for Cardiovascular Health. As an experienced nurse-educator, she specializes in developing innovative evidence-based teaching strategies that bridge clinical practice and contemporary nursing education challenges.

Her research focuses on nursing workforce retention, drama-based pedagogical interventions, and authentic assessment methodologies. Key areas include mental health system navigation, dementia care integration, and interprofessional education. She employs theatrical productions (e.g., Mad Bad Invisible, CRACKS) to create immersive learning experiences that foster empathy and practical skills.

Analysis of her 2017-2024 publications reveals a consistent trajectory toward innovative educational modalities – evolving from performance-based learning (2017) to virtual reality simulations (2019) and workforce retention studies (2024). Her work demonstrates increasing focus on systemic healthcare challenges through student-centered educational design.

Bastow serves as Director of Studies for the doctoral project Should I stay or should I go? An exploration of the experience of deciding to leave the nursing profession (2019–present). Her research has received Edinburgh Napier University internal funding, particularly for the Empowering through authentic experience initiative exploring dramatic, digital, and quality improvement approaches.

She actively collaborates within the Centre for Cardiovascular Health, co-developing curriculum innovations with colleagues including Dr. Iain Atherton and Dr. Catherine Mahoney. Her educational interventions frequently involve interdisciplinary teams to address health and social care integration challenges through performance-based learning.