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Role transition constitutes a period of discontinuity and flux and often entails a reorientation of identities, roles, goals, relationsihps and behaviours. While offering an excellent opportunity for personal and career development, transition to the role of a Clinical Nursing and Midwifery Research Fellow challenges many taken for granted assumptions and skills. Using insights from transition theory the paper will explore the transition process as experienced by one research fellow. Emphasis will be placed on difficulties encountered, lessons learned, insights gained and opportunities grapsed in adapting to the role of a full-time Fellow and PhD student