Researching stroke incidence: working as a research nurse can be challenging, leading to new ways of working in a variety of hospital and community settings.(news focus)

WHEN MIDDLEMORE Hospital staff nurse Helen Walters began nursing six years ago, she assumed she would always be working rostered and rotating shifts in the acute hospital setting. These days, however, she's working four days a week as a research nurse, and has been surprised to discover how many other nurses are involved in this work.

Her move away from the ward began last year when she was invited to apply for a position as a research nurse on the Auckland Regional Community Stroke Study (ARCOS), working under the auspices of the University of Auckland's Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences' clinical trials research unit. She completes her last interviews with patients next month, with principal investigator Craig Anderson expected to release results mid-next year.

ARCOS studies were conducted …