Dr Sonya MacVicar
| Biography | Dr Sonya MacVicar is registered with the NMC as an adult nurse, midwife, nurse tutor and independent prescriber with an extensive clinical career spanning a variety of senior roles in the fields of midwifery and neonatal nursing. Sonya completed her MSc in Advanced Clinical Practice (neonatal) in 2011. She undertook her clinical research doctoral studies as a practitioner researcher conducting a mixed method study using behaviour change theory to develop and pilot an intervention supporting breastfeeding for the substance exposed mother and baby. The study was nominated for NMAHP award for doctoral studies exhibiting originality of ideas which have the potential for significant impact on practice. Sonya entered academia in 2016 as a lecturer and researcher within the area of maternal and neonatal health and well-being. Her educational remit includes programme leadership roles within advanced nurse practitioner preparation, neonatal nurse development, independent prescribing, midwifery practice and supervision of doctoral and master's level students. Sonya's research interests include the impact of substance use disorder in pregnancy and neonatal abstinence syndrome. She has published extensively in this area and as part of an international collaboration developed a novel research Core Outcome Set for infants at risk of neonatal opioid withdrawal. Her current pedagogical research includes neonatal education in low resource countries, development of advanced practice roles and the impact of independent nurse prescribing. Sonya's expertise and professional standing withing the neonatal community is recognised by committee and advisory group representation on national government and educational bodies. Sonya has been commissioned as the midwifery and neonatal advisory consultant for the 2020 BBC drama 'The Nest'. |
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| Research Interests | Substance Use Disorders in pregnancy Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome Promotion and support of breastfeeding Advanced Practice role development Advanced Practice education Neonatal Education and role development Continuity of care midwifery models Low Middle Income County (LMIC) education |
| Teaching and Learning | Programme lead Advanced Practice (Distance learning) Programme lead Independent and Supplementary Prescribing for NMAHP Neonatal lead Advanced Clinical Practice MSc Dissertation module lead PhD, MRes, MSc and MBA supervision |
| ResearcherID | J-3627-2019 |
| Scopus Author ID | 56412133700 |
| PhD Supervision Availability | Yes |
| PhD Topics | Breastfeeding Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome Substance Use disorder in pregnancy Neonatal Nursing |