Celebrating Research: Carmel Montgomery

Carmel Montgomery (left) is the first recipient of the new ARNET research grant. Photo: ARNET

Carmel Montgomery’s research focuses on evaluating the impact of frailty on clinical and cost outcomes for older patients admitted to intensive care units (ICU) after cardiac surgery. She’s hoping the data she’s collecting will directly optimize nurse practitioner-led clinics and allow them to see patients quickly. 

 And thanks to a new research grant launched just for nurses, Montgomery is now taking her research work one step further. She is the first recipient of the Alberta Registered Nurses Education Trust (ARNET) research grant.

Hear from Montgomery on why her research is so rewarding, the challenges that come with it, and more through this Q & A. 

How did you get into your area of research?

My research focus combines nicely with my experience as a clinical bedside nurse in cardiac surgery. I’ve worked as a registered nurse in many different areas for the past 26 years. From rural to urban settings, palliative care to ICU, and numerous roles in quality and patient safety, my research brings all of these pieces together. 

What impact does this grant have on your research?

This grant is key to me being able to build a research team to conduct the work. I’ve been able to recruit undergraduate and graduate students. It’s a great opportunity for me to get the work done and more so it’s a great opportunity for students to be mentored through the research process and be able to see the impact that nurse practitioners have, and make, in our healthcare system. 

Where do you want your research to be in five years?

In five years, I want to be in a position where I can continue collaborating with my clinical colleagues to provide care for vulnerable patients in our healthcare system. 

 What’s the most rewarding aspect of your work?

The most rewarding aspect as a researcher is that I have the opportunity to focus on research that interests me. The other thing I appreciate is the interactions with my students who are at different levels of their education. I see so much opportunity in all our students and I’m interested to see where these opportunities take them in their future. It will be rewarding to see them progress throughout their career.

Why do you love nursing?

I love the flexibility my nursing degrees have provided me. I’ve worked in a variety of areas. What other profession has this flexibility? And I still have many opportunities available to me in the future. Nursing is such a good basic degree to have. It gives you the flexibility to pursue many different areas of interest.

How do you lead with purpose?

For me, leading with purpose focuses on not just the needs of our healthcare system but also the needs of our students. Our leadership prepares them to be as successful as possible in the system they enter into after graduation.

To learn more about the ARNET grant or to apply for funding, please visit the ARNET website.