When I entered my second year, I realised it was time to start thinking seriously about my dissertation. Around that time, I had been reading quite a lot about the history of nursing in the UK, and my curiosity for the topic kept growing. I had a rough idea of what I wanted to explore, but nothing concrete.
Then, in December, our cohort received an email listing potential empirical dissertation projects. The empirical pathway involves completing a literature review, followed by a qualitative or quantitative analysis of data, which gives us the chance to apply the research skills developed throughout the programme, as outlined in the University of Edinburgh’s MSc Dissertation: Empirical Research Handbook.
One project instantly caught my attention: Exploring the impact of the Nursing Studies Department on nursing education and research in the UK. What stood out most was one line, “…involving archival materials to explore the department’s impact.” As someone already fascinated by nursing history, it felt like the perfect fit. I applied, and to my delight, I was awarded a place.
My first meeting with my supervisor, Dr Lissette Aviles, was inspiring. I shared my background in anthropology and passion for history, and we immediately connected. Later, I met Professor Pam Smith, whose publications in nursing I had admired. Meeting her was surreal, she had been recommended to me by another lecturer who knew my interest in the Nightingale era. Talking with Pam and Lissette about nursing history deepened my motivation and made me feel that I had chosen the right path after all.
Throughout the project, I met regularly with Lissette, and occasionally with Pam. Each supervision session was filled with thoughtful, constructive feedback that helped me refine my academic writing and analytical skills. When I started, my writing was descriptive and unfocused, but under their guidance, I learned how to think and write critically. As I progressed, I began to see my growth, not just as a student, but as a developing researcher.
The highlight of my project was visiting the archives, getting to read, touch (and even smell!) the historical documents that shaped nursing education. Analysing these materials with a critical lens was an experience I will never forget.
There are definitely pros and cons to the empirical pathway. On the positive side, you gain hands-on research experience, one to one academic support, and the rare chance to contribute to real-world scholarships. The challenge is that it demands time, persistence, and a lot of self-discipline and motivation, however, the reward is immense! I can say that this journey taught me more than I expected. I discovered that I genuinely enjoy research, which is something I never imagined saying! Who knows, maybe this experience will shape my future career in ways I have not yet realised.
Now, having graduated in November 2025, I look back on this journey with pride. I received a Distinction for my dissertation and walked across the graduation stage knowing I had made the right choice, despite all the doubts I had at the start. It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and one I will never forget. Completing the empirical pathway truly made me feel as though the world was my oyster.
I am now working as a registered nurse and, at the same time, preparing my dissertation for potential publication, an exciting step I never imagined I would take. None of this would have been possible without the empirical dissertation pathway. I cannot wait to see what the future holds, and I will continue to look out for new opportunities, including further education.
