MENTEE – Kristin Edwards

Professional work experience:

I’ve been an Intensive Care Unit nurse for 21 years, in some of the largest trauma hospitals in America.

Since moving to Australia, I’ve taught university nursing students in regional Rockhampton.  Most recently, I’ve been immersed in research at James Cook University, while being based in Rockhampton.  I actively maintain my American and Australian nursing licences.

Educational experience:

It may be unique to American culture, but I was encouraged to formally study a variety of subjects at university; chemistry, environmental conservation, international relations, sports medicine and nursing.  I’ve attended 7 different universities in America and Australia; University of Colorado-Boulder, Rockford University, Hope College (university),  University of Northern Colorado, New Mexico State University, University of Southern Queensland and James Cook University.  I hold a Bachelor of Science in Nursing with a minor degree in Psychology and Physical Education, a Master of Science in Nursing, and currently enrolled as a PhD candidate.

My PhD:

Data Linkage research:

I’m linking very large health data bases to better understand patient outcomes.  I’ve created data infrastructure which links patients’ aeromedical data (when patients are urgently ill or injured and required a helicopter or RFDS air plane to receive care), with their emergency department data, their hospital data with links to the death registry to find out more about their journey and their outcomes.