Professor Bernie Carter

Bernie is a RCN Fellow and Professor of Children’s Nursing at Edge Hill University, where her research focuses on improving the lives of children, young people and their families, particularly in relation to pain.

She is particularly interested in pain assessment in children with complex needs and the assessment of breakthrough pain in children receiving palliative care. Her research is primarily qualitative, participatory, narrative, creative and arts based, involving listening to people telling stories about their experiences. Using the arts (drawing, collage, and movement) means that children (and adults) have different ways of telling their stories.

She works with professionals and experts from different disciplines such as dancers, pharmacists and psychologists, as well as doctors, nurses and allied health professionals. Her aim is to improve practice and people’s experiences of healthcare. She has been an advocate of public and patient involvement and engagement for a long time and says she has learned so much from the children and families who have helped shape and co-create research studies with her.