Innovation in nursing

THE Nethersole School of Nursing was the first university department of nursing in Hong Kong. Established in 1991 under The Chinese University of Hong Kong, the School has a long-standing history in delivering Master of Philosophy (MPhil)-Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Nursing programme.
It is a three-year or four-year fulltime programme with the aim to facilitate the development and innovations of nursing knowledge and to prepare its future scholars to be capable of conducting original research using different methodologies.
The programme has received global recognition and many of its PhD graduates are taking professional positions in renowned universities in Hong Kong, Singapore and the United States. Students in this programme will have an exceptional learning experience leading to a successful career.
In 2016, the School ranked 1st in Hong Kong, 2nd in Asia, and 22nd in the world under the QS World University Rankings by Subject (Nursing).
The School features three research areas – Cancer and Palliative Care; Cardiovascular and Acute Care; and Gerontology and Long-term Care.
Nethersole's faculty members have published a total of 93 principal investigator publications in international refereed journals, such as International Journal of Nursing Studies, European Heart Journal, Journal of American Geriatric Society.
“The journey of PhD study is psychologically and physically challenging. I am so grateful for the continuous support and guidance from my supervisors and classmates of the Nethersole. It strengthens my competencies and deepens my interests to strive for better health for people in the community,” said former PhD graduate of the Nethersole Professor Apple Cheng.
While she was a registered general nurse and a registered psychiatric nurse, Cheng began her PhD study in 2010, focusing on the psychosocial and physical wellbeing of clients with chronic illnesses and their family caregivers.
She received the New Researcher Award and the Chinese Gold and Silver Exchange Society Scholarship. She became a Postdoctoral Fellow in the School after graduation and obtained a grant of HK$1.06 million from the Pneumoconiosis Compensation Fund Board to conduct a study to examine the risk profile among people with silicosis.
She has also published systematic review and metaanalysis, and interventional studies using GEE models in peer-reviewed journals such as Patient Education and Counselling, Rehabilitation Nursing, Journal of Geriatric Cardiology. Cheng is now Assistant Professor of the School.
Professor Polly Li started her PhD studies in 2010. Her research focused on the care-seeking behaviours of patients with acute myocardial infarction (heart attack).
She has received several scholarships and awards, including the Hong Kong Association of University Women Dr Thomas HC Cheung Postgraduate Scholarship, the New Researcher Award and the Outstanding Thesis Award.
Li applied stringent methodology to excel the scientific merit of the dissertation as reflected by awarding the Martha N. Hill New Investigator Finalist Award presented by the American Heart Association in 2015.
She has also developed a risk scoring system to predict atypical symptom presentation in patients with acute myocardial infarction, which granted her the Best Oral Presentation Award at the Second Cardiac Nursing Conference in 2015 and Sixth Pan-Pacific Nursing Conference and First Colloquium on Chronic Illness Care in 2016.
After graduation, Li started her academic career at the School and is now Assistant Professor.
For more information about Nethersole's postgraduates programmes, visit its Postgradasia Postgraduate Studies Fair on Feb 18 and 19, or visit its website at http://www.nur.cuhk.edu.hk