PhD scholarship recipient to research strategies to help improve staff wellbeing

Not only does she have two bachelor degrees and an MBA, she’s now the inaugural recipient of a co-funded Victoria University (VU) and Western Health Nursing and Midwifery Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) scholarship.

Starting at VU this year, Valentina’s PhD topic will focus on how coaching with integrative medicine principles can improve the wellbeing and performance of graduate clinicians, helping them achieve lasting and fulfilling careers.

Valentina says that healthcare workers are at higher risk of burnout – a type of stress linked to work that can lead to workers feeling exhausted and unmotivated, with some leaving the profession as a result.

"Many clinicians share similar concerns such as burnout, heavy workloads, rapidly changing environments, workforce and resource shortages, and their ability to deliver appropriate patient care.

“My research will focus on how a broad range of health concepts – some from conventional medicine and others complementary therapies – might be helpful in managing stress and preventing burnout,” Valentina says. 

Valentina believes that most people know what’s good for them – physical activity, healthy eating, being social, setting boundaries – but it can be hard to put into practice. 

As a qualified life coach, she’s interested in how one-on-one or group coaching – complete with action plans and regular check ins – might be effective in making lasting changes.

“With wellbeing, information is one thing but application is another. Through coaching, you can personalise approaches, provide support and be an external motivation that can help people reach and maintain their goals,” Valentina says.

Currently working as Manager, Procurement, Clinical and Business Support at Western Health, Valentina loves continual learning, whether it’s further study or pursuing different career pathways.

Continual learning pushes me forward and helps me focus. It feeds my curiosity and I love being able to share new knowledge to improve individuals, health practices or the systems we work in.

“Through my PhD research, I hope to be able to contribute to improved conditions for those entering into clinical professions, ensuring they have every opportunity to have successful and impactful careers,” Valentina says.

She is looking forward to working with Dr Gina Kruger and Dr Susan Irvine from VU Nursing and Midwifery and representing Western Health Nursing and Midwifery, led by Executive Director Adjunct Professor Shane Crowe.

This inaugural PhD scholarship demonstrates the strong collaboration between Victoria University and Western Health, celebrating a shared commitment to excellence in education, research and patient care. The scholarship will financially support a Western Health nurse or midwife to undertake their PhD and will be offered every two years. 

This article is republished from Western Health