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Dr Nicola Evans
Director of Research
- Available for postgraduate supervision
Overview
I am a Reader in Mental Health Nursing with expertise in the mental health of children and young people. I enjoy teaching and supervising undergraduate and post graduate students and currently have capacity for new doctoral students interested in either mental health or qualitative methods. I have also trained in both systemic family therapy and CBT.
My PhD was an action research study with a local children's mental health service where we worked together to reduce their unsatisfactory waiting list for their service, using a bespoke triage model (http://www.fons.org/library/journal/volume4-issue1/article7) .
Publication
2025
- Sydor, A., Lane, R. and Evans, N. 2025. Playing the admission game: young people and their parents negotiating access or discharge to adolescent inpatient mental health services. Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Nursing 38(1), article number: e70006. (10.1111/jcap.70006)
2024
- Pryjmachuk, S. et al. 2024. Service design for children and young people with common mental health problems: literature review, service mapping and collective case study. Health and Social Care Delivery Research 12, article number: 13. (10.3310/DKRT6293)
- Edwards, D. et al. 2024. Crisis responses for children and young people: a systematic review of effectiveness, experiences and service organisation (CAMH-Crisis). Child and Adolescent Mental Health 29(1), pp. 70-83. (10.1111/camh.12639)
- Pryjmachuk, S. et al. 2024. A collaboratively produced model of service design for children and young people with common mental health problems. BMC Health Services Research 24, article number: 133. (10.1186/s12913-024-10562-7)
2023
- Edwards, D. et al. 2023. Crisis responses for children and young people: A mixed methods systematic review of effectiveness, experiences and service organisation (CAMH-Crisis). Presented at: HSR UK 2023, Birmingham, 4-6 July 2023.
- Evans, N. et al. 2023. Mental health crisis care for children and young people aged 5 to 25 years: the CAMH-Crisis evidence synthesis. Health and Social Care Delivery Research 11, article number: 3. (10.3310/BPPT3407)
- Bennett, C. et al. 2023. Crisis care for children and young people with mental health problems: national mapping, models of delivery, sustainability and experience (CAMH-Crisis2). A study protocol. NIHR Open Research 3, article number: 22. (10.3310/nihropenres.13414.1)
- Kirk, S., Fraser, C., Evans, N., Lane, R., Crooks, J., Naughton, G. and Pryjmachuk, S. 2023. Perceptions of the key components of effective, acceptable and accessible services for children and young people experiencing common mental health problems: a qualitative study. BMC Health Services Research 23, article number: 391. (10.1186/s12913-023-09300-2)
- Hannigan, B. et al. 2023. Mental health crisis care for children and young people.
2022
- Fraser, C. et al. 2022. A blueprint for Involvement: reflections of lived experience co-researchers and academic researchers on working collaboratively. Research Involvement and Engagement 8(1), article number: 68. (10.1186/s40900-022-00404-3)
- Evans, N., Edwards, D. and Chick, P. 2022. Managing suicidality in inpatient care: a rapid review. Journal of Mental Health Training, Education and Practice 17(6), pp. 479-494. (10.1108/JMHTEP-05-2020-0023)
2021
- Evans, N., Lane, R., Stacey-Emile, G. and Sefasi, A. 2021. Training school teachers in Malawi about substance misuse and trauma: the need for a sustainable strategy. Journal of Mental Health Training, Education and Practice 16(6), pp. 480-488. (10.1108/JMHTEP-07-2020-0049)
2020
- Evans, N. and Huws-Thomas, M. 2020. Case note review of community mental health services for children and young people in a UK rural location. Journal of Mental Health Training, Education and Practice 15(3), pp. 171-179. (10.1108/JMHTEP-10-2019-0055)
2019
- Evans, N. ed. 2019. Family Work in Mental Health: A skills approach. M&K Publishing.
2018
- Evans, N., Edwards, D. and Carrier, J. 2018. Admission and discharge criteria for adolescents requiring inpatient or residential mental health care. JBI Database of Systematic Reviews and Implementation Reports 16(10), pp. 1906-1911. (10.11124/JBISRIR-2017-004020)
- Evans, N. and Edwards, D. 2018. Admission and discharge criteria for adolescents requiring inpatient or residential mental health care: A scoping review protocol. JBI Database of Systematic Reviews and Implementation Reports 16(10), pp. 1906–1911. (10.11124/JBISRIR-2017-003790)
- Evans, N. and Stringfellow, A. 2018. Working with families and carers. In: Norman, I. and Ryrie, I. eds. The Art and Science of Mental Health Nursing: Principles and Practice. Open University Press, pp. 543-554.
- Stringfellow, A., Evans, N. and Evans, A. 2018. Understanding the impact of eating disorders: using the reflecting team as a learning strategy for students. British Journal of Nursing 27(3) (10.12968/bjon.2018.27.3.117)
2017
- Evans, N. et al. 2017. Using the nominal group technique to involve young people in an evidence synthesis which explored 'risk' in inpatient mental healthcare. Research Involvement and Engagement 3, article number: 16. (10.1186/s40900-017-0069-8)
- Evans, N. 2017. Experiences of a child and adolescent mental health service. Nursing Children and Young People 29(5), pp. 41-45. (10.7748/ncyp.2017.e832)
2016
- Evans, N. and Hopkinson, J. B. 2016. How action researchers use anxiety to facilitate change in health care. Journal of Clinical Nursing 25(11-12), pp. 1674-1682. (10.1111/jocn.13186)
- Nute, A. 2016. Working with groups. In: Evans, N. and Hannigan, B. eds. Therapeutic Skills for Mental Health Nurses. Open University Press, pp. 192-203.
- Evans, N. and Whitcombe, S. 2016. Using circular questions in qualitative research. Nurse Researcher 23(3), pp. 26-29. (10.7748/nr.23.3.26.s6)
- Evans, N. and Hannigan, B. eds. 2016. Therapeutic skills for mental health nurses. Open University Press.
2015
- Edwards, D. J., Evans, N., Gillen, E., Longo, M., Pryjmachuk, S., Trainor, G. and Hannigan, B. 2015. What do we know about the risks for young people moving into, through and out of inpatient mental health care? Findings from an evidence synthesis. Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Mental Health 9, article number: 55. (10.1186/s13034-015-0087-y)
- Hannigan, B., Edwards, D., Evans, N., Gillen, E., Longo, M., Pryjmachuk, S. and Trainor, G. 2015. An evidence synthesis of risk identification, assessment and management for young people using tier 4 inpatient child and adolescent mental health services. Health Services and Delivery Research 3(22), pp. 1-228. (10.3310/hsdr03220)
2014
- Evans, N. 2014. Improving the timeliness of mental health assessment for children and adolescents in a multidisciplinary team. International Practice Development Journal 4(1), article number: 7.
- Evans, N. 2014. Exploring the contribution of safe uncertainty in facilitating change. PhD Thesis, Cardiff University.
2013
- Evans, N. and Evans, A. 2013. Introducing nursing students to solution focused therapy. British Journal of Nursing 22(12), pp. 1222-1227.
- Hannigan, B. and Evans, N. 2013. Critical junctures in health and social care: Service user experiences, work and system connections. Social Theory & Health 11(4), pp. 428-444. (10.1057/sth.2013.16)
2012
- Young, N., Evans, N. and Bowring-Lossock, F. 2012. The practice engagement framework: a framework that assists the identification and development of the clinical role for lecturers in mental health nursing. Journal of Mental Health Training, Education and Practice 7(1), pp. 42-46., article number: 10.1108/17556221211230589.
2006
- Evans, N. G. and Edmunds, L. 2006. Selecting a topic. In: Allen, D. and Lyne, P. eds. The reality of nursing research: politics, practices and processes. Abingdon: Routledge
2005
- Evans, N. 2005. Domestic violence: recognising the signs. Paediatric Nursing 17(2), pp. 14-16. (10.7748/paed2005.02.17.1.14.c958)
2004
- Potter, R. and Evans, N. 2004. Child psychiatry, mental disorder and the law. Is a more specific statutory framework necessary?. British Journal of Psychiatry 184, pp. 1-2. (10.1192/bjp.184.1.1)
- Evans, N. and Potter, R. 2004. Treating PTSD in adolescents. Mental Health Nursing 24(6), pp. 14-18.
2000
- Evans, N. G. 2000. Working with families of forensic patients. Nursing Times 96(38), pp. 40-41.
- Evans, N. G. 2000. Measuring the value of a lecturer practitioner in forensic nursing. Nursing Management -Harrow- 6(10), pp. 14-18.
1999
- Evans, N. G. and Clarke, J. 1999. Addressing issues of sexuality. In: Chaloner, C. and Coffey, M. eds. Forensic Mental Health Nursing: Current Approaches. UK: Blackwell Science, pp. 252-268.
- Evans, N. G. 1999. Preparing nurses to work effectively in the prison environment. British Journal of Nursing 8(19), pp. 1324-1329.
1996
- Evans, N. G. 1996. Defining the role of the forensic community mental health nurse. Nursing Standard 10(49), pp. 35-37.
Articles
- Sydor, A., Lane, R. and Evans, N. 2025. Playing the admission game: young people and their parents negotiating access or discharge to adolescent inpatient mental health services. Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Nursing 38(1), article number: e70006. (10.1111/jcap.70006)
- Pryjmachuk, S. et al. 2024. Service design for children and young people with common mental health problems: literature review, service mapping and collective case study. Health and Social Care Delivery Research 12, article number: 13. (10.3310/DKRT6293)
- Edwards, D. et al. 2024. Crisis responses for children and young people: a systematic review of effectiveness, experiences and service organisation (CAMH-Crisis). Child and Adolescent Mental Health 29(1), pp. 70-83. (10.1111/camh.12639)
- Pryjmachuk, S. et al. 2024. A collaboratively produced model of service design for children and young people with common mental health problems. BMC Health Services Research 24, article number: 133. (10.1186/s12913-024-10562-7)
- Evans, N. et al. 2023. Mental health crisis care for children and young people aged 5 to 25 years: the CAMH-Crisis evidence synthesis. Health and Social Care Delivery Research 11, article number: 3. (10.3310/BPPT3407)
- Bennett, C. et al. 2023. Crisis care for children and young people with mental health problems: national mapping, models of delivery, sustainability and experience (CAMH-Crisis2). A study protocol. NIHR Open Research 3, article number: 22. (10.3310/nihropenres.13414.1)
- Kirk, S., Fraser, C., Evans, N., Lane, R., Crooks, J., Naughton, G. and Pryjmachuk, S. 2023. Perceptions of the key components of effective, acceptable and accessible services for children and young people experiencing common mental health problems: a qualitative study. BMC Health Services Research 23, article number: 391. (10.1186/s12913-023-09300-2)
- Fraser, C. et al. 2022. A blueprint for Involvement: reflections of lived experience co-researchers and academic researchers on working collaboratively. Research Involvement and Engagement 8(1), article number: 68. (10.1186/s40900-022-00404-3)
- Evans, N., Edwards, D. and Chick, P. 2022. Managing suicidality in inpatient care: a rapid review. Journal of Mental Health Training, Education and Practice 17(6), pp. 479-494. (10.1108/JMHTEP-05-2020-0023)
- Evans, N., Lane, R., Stacey-Emile, G. and Sefasi, A. 2021. Training school teachers in Malawi about substance misuse and trauma: the need for a sustainable strategy. Journal of Mental Health Training, Education and Practice 16(6), pp. 480-488. (10.1108/JMHTEP-07-2020-0049)
- Evans, N. and Huws-Thomas, M. 2020. Case note review of community mental health services for children and young people in a UK rural location. Journal of Mental Health Training, Education and Practice 15(3), pp. 171-179. (10.1108/JMHTEP-10-2019-0055)
- Evans, N., Edwards, D. and Carrier, J. 2018. Admission and discharge criteria for adolescents requiring inpatient or residential mental health care. JBI Database of Systematic Reviews and Implementation Reports 16(10), pp. 1906-1911. (10.11124/JBISRIR-2017-004020)
- Evans, N. and Edwards, D. 2018. Admission and discharge criteria for adolescents requiring inpatient or residential mental health care: A scoping review protocol. JBI Database of Systematic Reviews and Implementation Reports 16(10), pp. 1906–1911. (10.11124/JBISRIR-2017-003790)
- Stringfellow, A., Evans, N. and Evans, A. 2018. Understanding the impact of eating disorders: using the reflecting team as a learning strategy for students. British Journal of Nursing 27(3) (10.12968/bjon.2018.27.3.117)
- Evans, N. et al. 2017. Using the nominal group technique to involve young people in an evidence synthesis which explored 'risk' in inpatient mental healthcare. Research Involvement and Engagement 3, article number: 16. (10.1186/s40900-017-0069-8)
- Evans, N. 2017. Experiences of a child and adolescent mental health service. Nursing Children and Young People 29(5), pp. 41-45. (10.7748/ncyp.2017.e832)
- Evans, N. and Hopkinson, J. B. 2016. How action researchers use anxiety to facilitate change in health care. Journal of Clinical Nursing 25(11-12), pp. 1674-1682. (10.1111/jocn.13186)
- Evans, N. and Whitcombe, S. 2016. Using circular questions in qualitative research. Nurse Researcher 23(3), pp. 26-29. (10.7748/nr.23.3.26.s6)
- Edwards, D. J., Evans, N., Gillen, E., Longo, M., Pryjmachuk, S., Trainor, G. and Hannigan, B. 2015. What do we know about the risks for young people moving into, through and out of inpatient mental health care? Findings from an evidence synthesis. Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Mental Health 9, article number: 55. (10.1186/s13034-015-0087-y)
- Hannigan, B., Edwards, D., Evans, N., Gillen, E., Longo, M., Pryjmachuk, S. and Trainor, G. 2015. An evidence synthesis of risk identification, assessment and management for young people using tier 4 inpatient child and adolescent mental health services. Health Services and Delivery Research 3(22), pp. 1-228. (10.3310/hsdr03220)
- Evans, N. 2014. Improving the timeliness of mental health assessment for children and adolescents in a multidisciplinary team. International Practice Development Journal 4(1), article number: 7.
- Evans, N. and Evans, A. 2013. Introducing nursing students to solution focused therapy. British Journal of Nursing 22(12), pp. 1222-1227.
- Hannigan, B. and Evans, N. 2013. Critical junctures in health and social care: Service user experiences, work and system connections. Social Theory & Health 11(4), pp. 428-444. (10.1057/sth.2013.16)
- Young, N., Evans, N. and Bowring-Lossock, F. 2012. The practice engagement framework: a framework that assists the identification and development of the clinical role for lecturers in mental health nursing. Journal of Mental Health Training, Education and Practice 7(1), pp. 42-46., article number: 10.1108/17556221211230589.
- Evans, N. 2005. Domestic violence: recognising the signs. Paediatric Nursing 17(2), pp. 14-16. (10.7748/paed2005.02.17.1.14.c958)
- Potter, R. and Evans, N. 2004. Child psychiatry, mental disorder and the law. Is a more specific statutory framework necessary?. British Journal of Psychiatry 184, pp. 1-2. (10.1192/bjp.184.1.1)
- Evans, N. and Potter, R. 2004. Treating PTSD in adolescents. Mental Health Nursing 24(6), pp. 14-18.
- Evans, N. G. 2000. Working with families of forensic patients. Nursing Times 96(38), pp. 40-41.
- Evans, N. G. 2000. Measuring the value of a lecturer practitioner in forensic nursing. Nursing Management -Harrow- 6(10), pp. 14-18.
- Evans, N. G. 1999. Preparing nurses to work effectively in the prison environment. British Journal of Nursing 8(19), pp. 1324-1329.
- Evans, N. G. 1996. Defining the role of the forensic community mental health nurse. Nursing Standard 10(49), pp. 35-37.
Book sections
- Evans, N. and Stringfellow, A. 2018. Working with families and carers. In: Norman, I. and Ryrie, I. eds. The Art and Science of Mental Health Nursing: Principles and Practice. Open University Press, pp. 543-554.
- Nute, A. 2016. Working with groups. In: Evans, N. and Hannigan, B. eds. Therapeutic Skills for Mental Health Nurses. Open University Press, pp. 192-203.
- Evans, N. G. and Edmunds, L. 2006. Selecting a topic. In: Allen, D. and Lyne, P. eds. The reality of nursing research: politics, practices and processes. Abingdon: Routledge
- Evans, N. G. and Clarke, J. 1999. Addressing issues of sexuality. In: Chaloner, C. and Coffey, M. eds. Forensic Mental Health Nursing: Current Approaches. UK: Blackwell Science, pp. 252-268.
Books
- Evans, N. ed. 2019. Family Work in Mental Health: A skills approach. M&K Publishing.
- Evans, N. and Hannigan, B. eds. 2016. Therapeutic skills for mental health nurses. Open University Press.
Conferences
- Edwards, D. et al. 2023. Crisis responses for children and young people: A mixed methods systematic review of effectiveness, experiences and service organisation (CAMH-Crisis). Presented at: HSR UK 2023, Birmingham, 4-6 July 2023.
Other
- Hannigan, B. et al. 2023. Mental health crisis care for children and young people.
Thesis
- Evans, N. 2014. Exploring the contribution of safe uncertainty in facilitating change. PhD Thesis, Cardiff University.
Research
I am an experienced qualitative researcher with methodological expertise in case study methodology, action research and ethnographic methods and was awarded the RCN (Wales) Research in Nursing award in 2017. My research focus is on the organisation and delivery of mental health services for children and young people. A summary of two key projects Blueprint and CAMH Crisis can be found here.
Blueprint was an NIHR Health Services and Delivery Research Programme funded project which looked at services for children and young people with common mental health problems: https://www.journalslibrary.nihr.ac.uk/programmes/hsdr/170908
CAMH Crisis was an evidence synthesis investigating how services are provided for children and young people aged 5 -25 experiencing mental health crises. Please feel free to view the animation developed from that study: https://youtu.be/awgTJGK21Is
Current studies include CAMH Crisis2 DiVERT and Youth Work in Health
I also am interested in conducting systematic reviews, and am trained in Joanna Briggs Institute methods. An example of a completed review commissioned by the Royal College of Psychiatrists is here: https://journals.lww.com/jbisrir/Fulltext/2018/10000/Admission_and_discharge_criteria_for_adolescents.2.aspx
Teaching
I contribute to the undergraduate nursing programme, specifically teaching children's mental health issues, psychotherapeutic approaches, use of evidence in health and research methods. I also supervise dissertations. I enjoy small group teaching and facilitating experiential learning sessions for mental health nursing students to acquire and rehearse their much needed skills for clinical practice.
At post graduate level, I supervise MSc dissertations: systematic reviews and work based projects. This can be across topic area. I also lead a professional doctorate module: Systems thinking: working and leading in complex organisations.
Biography
Prior to working at Cardiff University, I worked in clinical practice as a mental health nurse in an outpatient service for children and young people with mental health needs.
Previously, I have also worked in forensic mental health care, both inpatient and community services, as well as in a general mental health admission unit. Having trained in CBT for Children and Adolescents and in systemic family therapy, I worked therapeutically with children, parents, adults and families in the context of multi-disciplinary and multi-agency teams.
Supervisions
I am interested in supervising PhD students in the areas of:
mental health
children and young people's mental health
qualitative methods
the organisation and delivery of health and social care
Current supervision
Claire Muil
Essa Alanazi
Past projects
