Raluca Oaten is a Policy and Research Associate at the Florence Nightingale Foundation, where she plays a key role in driving the foundation’s Policy and Influence Think Tank. This think tank serves as a platform to bring the nursing and midwifery voice to the forefront of major health and care issues, conducting research, offering expert commentary, and shaping the health policy agenda. Raluca leads on synthesizing research, analyzing healthcare policies, and overseeing both national and international research initiatives, while also spearheading independent thought leadership commissions.
With a Master’s degree in Adult Nursing from Oxford Brookes University, where she graduated with 100% in her dissertaion, Raluca combines her clinical expertise as an Intensive Care Clinical Educator with a strategic approach to policy influence. Her work is centered on evidence-based practice, stakeholder collaboration, and advancing healthcare systems through impactful policy decisions. Through her leadership in the think tank, she contributes to promoting political intelligence within the nursing and midwifery workforce and driving the development of healthcare policies informed by research and professional expertise.
Raluca also serves as a Trustee for the Council of Deans of Health (CoDH), where she contributes her expertise in governance, risk management, and strategic planning. She is actively involved in initiatives that promote diversity, equity, and inclusion, including anti-racism working groups. Additionally, as Guest Editor for a Special Edition of Nurse Education Today (Elsevier), she applies her deep understanding of healthcare education and research to elevate discussions on critical issues in nursing education. In her capacity as Vice President of the Phi Mu Chapter of Sigma, an international nursing leadership organization, Raluca supports the global development of nursing leadership. Her work reflects a commitment to fostering critical thinking, enhancing policy, and improving healthcare education and practice.