Rhona Winnington

Dr Rhona Winnington is a Senior Lecturer in the School of Health and Life Sciences, specializing in nursing education, palliative care, and healthcare policy. Her research focuses on graduate entry nursing programs, nursing student well-being, and the social implications of assisted dying. She has contributed to over 20 peer-reviewed publications since 2018, with recent work examining clinical experience perceptions of nursing students and systemic challenges in long-term care for older adults.

Key research interests include:

• Professional identity development in nursing students
• Educational pathways for advanced practice roles
• Ethical debates surrounding assisted dying legislation
• Technology integration in aged care (e.g., companion robots)

Her most cited work analyzes reasons for acute service utilization in long-term care facilities, while recent media engagements address end-of-life care crises in Scotland. She currently serves as a consultant for the Cross Party Group on Palliative Care, reflecting her commitment to translating research into policy impact.

Research collaborations span New Zealand, Australia, and the UK, with a focus on interdisciplinary approaches to healthcare challenges. Her longitudinal studies track nursing students' professional development trajectories over their training periods.