Melissa Owens
Director of Nurse Education

Profile

Biography

Dr Melissa Owens is a Registered Nurse (Learning Disability) and has worked in Higher Education since 1992. Previous roles have included Director of Pre-registration Education and, Associate Professor (Nursing).  She joined the University of York in March 2023 as Senior Lecturer, Subject Lead for Nursing and holds responsibility for the Nursing and Nursing Associate Programmes.

Qualifications

• EdD
• Postgraduate Certificate in Research Studies
• BA (Hons)
• Diploma in Professional Studies and Nursing (Community Health Studies)

Research

Overview

Melissa’s research and project work has focused on interprofessional education and pedagogy.  She has been involved in the following initiatives:

• The Association of Schools Advancing Health Professions (ASAHP) interprofessional research grant awarded to empowering interprofessional collaboration through global research innovation
• ERASMUS+ international project (SIM-VERSITY) examining simulation to facilitate developing culturally competent practice in health care professionals (sim-versity.eu)
• Member of ALPS (Assessment and Learning in Practice Settings) team.  Site team member for the development of evaluation tools to measure competence and confidence in fitness to practice in newly qualified professions across 16 different professional groups
• JSIG Funded Project examining how student feedback for academic assignments could be enhanced, when using the software TurnitinUK’s GradeMark™
• HEFCE funded project to evaluate current interprofessional learning activities and to develop on-line vignettes using expert patients for interprofessional learning module within the University of Bradford.  Theme lead for the development and evaluation of a quantitative questionnaire to measure satisfaction with on-line learning (generically) and an interprofessional module
• ‘Urban Regeneration: Making a Difference’ case-study undertaken, entitled: ‘Explicating the Role of Partnerships in Changing the Health and Well-being of Local Communities
• HEA funded project to explore the effectiveness of art as in interprofessional learning too in enhancing understanding of women’s health issues in a multi-cultural society
• WDC funded project examining interprofessional learning skills within the primary care setting

Supervision

Melissa can supervise PhD students in all aspects of nursing practice that have a sociological focus. She particularly welcomes students who identify as having a protected characteristic. Her particular areas of interest are Interprofessional Education and Collaborative Practices.

Publications

Selected publications

• Owens M in print  A small-scale study describing novel ways to implement interprofessional education (IPE) using formal and informal methods Lines et al. (2024) Evidence-Based Nursing
• Owens, M (2024) Interprofessional education is effective in achieving interprofessional outcomes in nursing and medical professionals and students Evidence-Based Nursing. March.  Vol 0 Number 0 P1
• Owens, M, Adams J, Rogers P, Smith H, Welsh. V (2024) Understanding evidence-based healthcare for trainee nursing associates, London, SAGE Publishers
• Hutchings M, McLarnon N, McDermott J, Watson A, Power A, Anderson E & Owens M (2022) Practice-based learning and the impacts of COVID-19: doing it for real? British Journal of Midwifery June, Vol 30, No 6, P333-344.
• Power A, Park V, Owens M & Sy M (2022) Academics’ experiences of online interprofessional education and emergency remote teaching in response COVID-19: reflection informing practice Commissioned by Journal of Midwifery.  April, Vol 30, No 4, P222-228.
• Wetzimair L, Kitema F, O’Carroll,V El-Awaisi A, Power A, Owens M, Park V, McKinley M, Anderson L Loder-Fink B (2021) The impact of COVID-19 on the delivery of interprofessional education: it’s not all bad news Journal of Midwifery Vol 29, No 12, p699-705.
• Power A, Sy M, Hutchings M, Coleman T, El-Awaisi A, Kitema G, Gallagher J, Herath C, McLarnon N, Nagraj S, O’Carroll V, Owens M, Park V, Pope E, Wetzimair L, Greaves J, Anderson L (2021) Learning in Lockdown: exploring the impact of COVID-19 on interprofessional education.  Journal of Midwifery, November, Vol 29, No 11, p648-652.
• O’Carroll V, Owens M, Sy M, et al. (2020) Top Tips for Interprofessional Education and Collaborative Practice Research: A guide for students and early career researchers Journal of Interprofessional Care July, p1-6.
• Jackson L & Owens M (2019) Does oral care with chlorhexidine reduce ventilator-associated pneumonia in mechanically ventilated adults receiving critical care? British Journal of Nursing.
• Barlow N & Owens M (2018) Participatory action research into implementing open access in musculoskeletal X-ray: Management and staff perspectives.  Radiography Volume 24, Issue 4, August pp:224-233.
• Barlow N & Owens M (2017) Current waiting times in a UK MSK general x-ray department: Patient preference and satisfaction levels British Journal of Healthcare Management 23 (9) 438-447. 
• Owens M Readle M, Haigh J & Pansini-Murrell J (2012) An Exploration of how Student Feedback for Academic Assignments could be Enhanced, when using the Software TurnitinUK’s GradeMark™  (Funded Project) Final Report.
• Owens M, (2011) A Qualitative Study Exploring Interprofessional Working Practices in the Primary Care Setting and the Impact these Practices have on the Attaining of these Skills by Nursing Students.  Full Paper, Conference Proceedings for ‘International Networking in Healthcare (NET) Conference.  September.
• Dearnley C, Owens M, Greasley P & Plews C  Mixing Students Mixing Methods.  In: Bromage,A Clouder,L Thislethwaite,J & Gordon,F (Eds) (2010) Interprofessional E-Learning and Collaborative Work.  Practices and Technologies.  Hershey, Information Science Reference.
• Owens M, Dearnley C, Plews C, & Greasley P (2010) Evaluation of a Multifaceted Pre-registration Interprofessional Education Module.  Journal of Interprofessional Care Vol 24, no 4, July.  Pp: 460-462.
• Allen T & Owens M (2008) Urban Regeneration, Making a Difference: What factors impact on partnerships being able to work together, effectively, in order to change the health and well-being of local communities? (Funded Project) Final Report.
• Owens M, Pearson D, Allen L, & Hutchinson J (2007) Promoting Interprofessional Learning Across West Yorkshire (Funded Project) Final Report.
• Beck J & Owens M (2007) Monitoring Student’s Level’s of Online Engagement in a Pre-registration, Interprofessional Education Module Full Paper published in the Conference Procedings for ‘EIPEN’ (European Interprofessional Education Network) September, Krakow.

Teaching

Undergraduate

• BSc Nursing
• MNurse
• Nursing Associate

Postgraduate

• MSc Nursing

Other teaching

• Lead Train the Trainer for Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training
• Lead on the delivery of Interprofessional Education initiatives

External activities

Memberships

• Board member of CAIPE (Centre of Advancement for Interprofessional Education)
• Co-lead of the CAIPE Faculty Development Priority Group
• Partner member of Interprofessional.Global (IP.G)
• Member of Steering Committee for Interprofessional Research.Global (IPR.G)

Editorial duties

• Commentator for Journal, Evidence-based Nursing

Invited talks and conferences

Conference Attendance

2024

Creating Interprofessional Field Identities - A short paper.  Presentation for International Congress of Health Workforce Education and Research, June, Barcelona

 Creating High Quality Interprofessional Education Resources and Workshops.  Tools, tips and techniques: a case study.  Presentation for International Congress of Health Workforce Education and Research, June, Barcelona 

2023

Emergency Remote Teaching and Interprofessional Education during COVID-19: sharing best practice through a global community of practice.  Presentation for All Together Better Health Conference (Qatar), November (co-presentation with national and international colleagues from CAIPE)

Creating Successful Interprofessional Writing Groups: navigating the challenges.  Majlis presentation for All Together Better Health Conference (Qatar), November (co-presentation with national and international colleagues from CAIPE)

2021     

Upskilling Interprofessional Research Competencies: A workshop for early-career researchers.  Workshop accepted for All Together Better Health Conference, October (co-presentation with national and international colleagues from CAIPE) (cancelled due to pandemic)

Cross-institutional, Interprofessional Simulation for Medical and Nursing Students in Clinical Practice.  Overcoming Organisational Barriers to Interprofessional Education.  Oral presentation accepted for All Together Better Health Conference, October (co-presentation with colleague from local Trust) (cancelled due to pandemic)

2020     

Achieving a Vision for a European Web Hub for Diversity in Simulation.  Oral presentation presented in collaboration with Briggs,A at Sim-Versity Virtual (Erasmus+) Conference.  June

Promoting Gender-sensitive care through Simulation Education.  Oral presentation presented in collaboration with Briggs,A at Sim-Versity Virtual (Erasmus+) Conference.  June

Gender Matters to Individuals.  Poster presented in collaboration with Briggs A and McClelland GT, at Sim-Versity Virtual (Erasmus+) Conference.  June

2019     

Active Patient and Carer Involvement in Interprofessional Education.  Moving beyond the rhetoric with Cook,H and a service user.  Workshop facilitated for Advance HE Conference, July.  The use of Storytelling as a means to Enhancing Collaborative Practice Skills.  Oral presentation presented at Advance HE Conference, July

The use of Storytelling as a means to Enhancing Collaborative Practice Skills.  Poster presentation at Advance HE Conference, July

2017     

Action Research into Implementing an Open Access Service in X-Ray: Baseline Evaluation Phase 

2014     

Medical Hegemony and its Influence on Student Nurses’ Learning.  International Networking in Healthcare (NET).  September 

2011

A Qualitative Study Exploring Interprofessional Working Practices in the Primary Care Setting and the Impact these Practices have on the attaining of these Skills by Nursing Students.  Core paper for ‘International Networking in Healthcare’ (NET) Conference.  September 

Different Ways of Knowing: the Challenge of Interprofessional Assessment. For: ‘International Networking in Healthcare’ (NET) Conference.  September 

2010     

An exploration of interprofessional working practices in the primary care setting and the processes by which medical and nursing students attain interprofessional working skills in this setting.  Poster presented at the CAIPE Chair’s Event (IPE [Interprofessional Education] Research Day for Members).  November

An exploration of interprofessional working practices in the primary care setting and the processes by which nursing students attain interprofessional working skills.  Poster presentation at conference: ‘Workbased learning and Assessment for the next Decade’.  An ALPS (Assessment and Learning in Practice Settings) CETL (Centre for Excellence in Teaching and Learning) Conference.  March

The Value of e-Assessment for Interprofessional Education and Large Student Numbers.  Presentation given in collaboration with Dermo,J at conference: ‘Workbased learning and Assessment for the next Decade’.  An ALPS (Assessment and Learning in Practice Settings) CETL (Centre for Excellence in Teaching and Learning) Conference.  March

Beliefs, Knowledge and Knowing: Exploring their relationship with inter-professional assessment.  Presentation given in collaboration with Dearnley,C at conference: ‘Workbased learning and Assessment for the next Decade’.  An ALPS (Assessment and Learning in Practice Settings) CETL (Centre for Excellence in Teaching and Learning) Conference.  March

2009     

The use of Peer Electronic Assessment in Interprofessional Education.  EIPEN (European International Professional Network in health and social care).  Paper presented at the second International Conference: Policies, Learning and Practice in European Interprofessional Education

Beliefs, Knowledge and Knowing: Exploring their relationship with inter-professional assessment.  EIPEN (European International Professional Network in health and social care).  Paper presented at the second International Conference: Policies, Learning and Practice in European Interprofessional Education

What factors impact on partnerships being able to work together, effectively, in order to change the health and well-being of local communities?  EIPEN (European International Professional Network in health and social care).  Poster presented at the second International Conference: Policies, Learning and Practice in European Interprofessional Education

2007     

The value of including GP Receptionists in Interprofessional Learning Activities.  EIPEN (European International Professional Network in health and social care).  Poster presented at the: First International Conference: Learning Together to Work Together.  September, Poland 

Enhancing Interprofessional Working in the Primary Care Setting.  EIPEN (European International Professional Network in health and social care).  Poster presented at the: First International Conference: Learning Together to Work Together.  September, Poland 

Monitoring Student’s Level’s of Online Engagement in a Pre-registration, Interprofessional Education Module.  Presented given in collaboration with Beck,J.  EIPEN (European International Professional Network in health and social care).  Poster presented at the: First International Conference: Learning Together to Work Together.  September, Poland

The use of Art as an Interprofessional Learning Tool in Increasing Awareness of Women’s Health Issues in a Multicultural Society.  EIPEN (European International Professional Network in health and social care).  Paper presented at the: First International Conference: Learning Together to Work Together.  September, Poland 

To explore the effectiveness of art as a learning tool and as a means of increasing awareness of women’s health issues in a multi-cultural society.  Poster resented at the Higher Education Academy Annual Conference.  July