Dr. Vanessa Boland

Dr. Vanessa Boland

Assistant Professor, School of Nursing & Midwifery

Biography

Dr. Vanessa Boland is an Assistant Professor committed to advancing excellence in nursing education and cancer survivorship care. A registered nurse and early career researcher, she has a growing track record in securing research funding and conducting high-impact studies. Vanessa's research focuses on improving patient outcomes, particularly in cancer survivorship. Her doctoral study, "Living with or Beyond Lymphoma: A Mixed-Methods Investigation of the Unmet Needs of Cancer Survivors," provided critical insights into the challenges faced by this patient population. She is an active member of the Trinity Centre for Practice and Healthcare Innovation (TCPHI), contributing to research that drives meaningful change in healthcare practice. In addition to her research, Vanessa plays a key role in nursing education. She leads the Capstone Research Module for BSc Nursing and Midwifery students and facilitates the MSc in Specialist Nursing (Cancer Care and Haematology) programme for postgraduate nurses. As a dedicated supervisor at the PhD, MSc, and undergraduate levels, she is committed to developing the next generation of nursing leaders, particularly in cancer care. Vanessa is actively building an international research profile and has been invited to collaborate on projects both nationally and globally. Passionate about evidence synthesis, she welcomes new research opportunities to advance knowledge and improve patient care.

Publications and Further Research Outputs

  • Boland V, Drury A, Sheaf G, Brady AM., Living with or beyond lymphoma: A rapid review of the unmet needs of lymphoma survivors., Psycho-Oncology, 2022Journal Article, 2022
  • Boland V, Brady AM, Drury A., The physical, psychological and social experiences of alopecia among women receiving chemotherapy: An integrative literature review., European Journal of Oncology Nursing, 49, (101840), 2020Journal Article, 2020, DOI
  • Tanay MA, Diez de Los Rios de la Serna C, Boland V, Lopes AMDS, Wingfield K, Chircop D, Dornan M, Suchodolska G, Yldz AytaƧ G, Kurt B, Colomer-Lahiguera S., Patient and public involvement in research: Reflections and experiences of doctoral cancer nurse researchers in Europe., European Journal of Oncology Nursing, 64, (102351), 2023Journal Article, 2023, DOI , URL
  • Boland V, Brady A-M, Drury A, The unmet needs of lymphoma cancer survivors: A rapid review of the evidence., Trinity Health and Education International Research Conference, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Trinity College Dublin, 10/03/22, 32, 2021, pp1279-Oral Presentation, 2021, DOI
  • Boland, V., Drury, A., Brady, A-M., A qualitative exploration of lymphoma survivors' unmet needs, Annals of Oncology, EONS16 at ESMO, Madrid, Spain, 22/10/23, 34, (2), 2023, pp1345-Conference Paper, 2023, DOI , URL
  • Boland, V., Drury, A., Brady, A-M, Mapping the measurement of lymphoma survivors: unmet needs and quality of life outcomes: Evidence for a lymphoma-specific questionnaire, Annals of Oncology, EONS15 at ESMO, Paris, France, 10/09/2022, 33, (7), 2022, pp1371-Conference Paper, 2022, DOI
  • Boland, V., Drury, A., Brady A-M., Prevalence and predictors of unmet needs among lymphoma cancer survivors, EONS16 at ESMO, Paris, France, 22/10/23, 2023, EONSInvited Talk, 2023
  • Boland, V., Drury, A., Brady, A-M., Uncovering the needs of lymphoma survivors: A cross-sectional study, Annals of Oncology, EONS16 at ESMO, Madrid, Spain, 22/10/23, 34, (2), 2023, pp1345-Conference Paper, 2023, DOI , URL
  • Boland, V., Drury, A., Brady A-M., The unmet financial and work-related needs of lymphoma cancer survivors, Trinity Health and Education International Research Conference, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Trinity College Dublin, 10/03/22, 2022Poster, 2022
  • Boland, V., Brady, A-M., Drury, A., The experiences of alopecia among women receiving chemotherapy: the physical and psychological effect. , Trinity Health and Education International Research Conference, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Trinity College Dublin, 11/03/2021, 2021Poster, 2021
  • Boland, V., Drury, A., Brady, A-M., Finding the right instrument: assessing the needs & quality of life outcomes of lymphoma cancer survivors, Trinity Health and Education International Research Conference. Boland , School of Nursing and Midwifery, Trinity College Dublin, 10/03/22, 2022Oral Presentation, 2022
  • Boland, V., Drury. A., Brady, A-M., Assessing unmet needs: what do lymphoma survivors want help with?, International Conference on Cancer Nursing: Building Global Nursing Excellence for Tomorrow's Cancer Realities, Glasgow, Scotland, 01/10/2023, 2023Oral Presentation, 2023
  • Boland, V., Drury, A., Brady, A-M., Content comparison of unmet needs self-report measures for lymphoma cancer survivors: A systematic review, PLoS ONE, 18, (12), 2023Journal Article, 2023, DOI , TARA - Full Text
  • Amanda Drury, Vanessa Boland, Maura Dowling, Patient-Reported Outcome and Experience Measures in Advanced Nursing Practice: What Are Key Considerations for Implementation and Optimized Use?, Seminars in Oncology Nursing, 2024, p1-7Journal Article, 2024, DOI , URL
  • Vanessa Boland, Amanda Drury, Anne-Marie Brady, Navigating the complexity of a lymphoma cancer diagnosis: Qualitative insights, Trinity Health and Education International Research Conference 2025 (THEconf2025) 'Healthcare in times of crisis: adaptive responses and global innovations', Trinity College Dublin, 5th March 2025, 2025Oral Presentation, 2025
  • Vanessa Boland, Liz O'Connell, Orlaith Cormican, Karen Campbell, Maura Dowling, Amanda Drury, Understanding the unmet needs of haematology cancer patients: Insights from Ireland and the UK, Trinity Health and Education International Research Conference 2025 (THEconf2025) 'Healthcare in times of crisis: adaptive responses and global innovations', Trinity College Dublin, 5th March 2025, 2025Oral Presentation, 2025
  • Boland, V., Research Opportunities for Cancer Nurses., Postgraduate Diploma in Cancer Care, School of Nursing & Midwifery, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland., 06/05/22, 2022, RCSIInvited Talk

Research Expertise

  • Title
    Public Perceptions of the European Code Against Cancer
    Summary
    Funding Agency
    International Agency for Research on Cancer, World Health Organisation
  • Title
    A mixed methods investigation of the unmet needs of adult cancer patients receiving CAR-T therapy
    Summary
    PhD Research
    Funding Agency
    School of Nursing and Midwifery PhD Scholarship 2024, Trinity College Dublin
    Date From
    2024
    Date To
    2028
  • Title
    The Hidden Burden of VRE Screening Tests in Patients Colonised with VRE in an Acute Setting
    Summary
    Service evaluation and publication
    Date From
    2024
    Date To
    2025
  • Title
    Living Beyond Lymphoma: A Mixed Methods Investigation of The Unmet Needs of Cancer Survivors
    Summary
    PhD Research
    Funding Agency
    School of Nursing and Midwifery PhD Scholarship 2020, Trinity College Dublin
    Date From
    2020
    Date To
    2024
  • Title
    Patient and public involvement in research: reflections and experiences of doctoral cancer nurse researchers in Europe
    Summary
    European Society of Oncology Nurses PhD Doctoral Nurses Writing Group
    Date From
    2021
    Date To
    2023
  • Title
    Psychometric properties of health-related quality of life instruments in colorectal cancer patients: A COSMIN systematic review
    Summary
  • Title
    Psychometric properties of health-related quality of life instruments in colorectal cancer patients: A COSMIN systematic review
    Summary
  • Title
    Cancer Care in COVID-19: The Experiences of Haematology Patients
    Summary
    Funding Agency
    Haematology Association of Ireland
    Date From
    2022
    Date To
    2024