First job in research - not really what I went to school for

I know you want to have patient interaction but I think that for now you have to hold your horses. You got a great job and honestly being on the floor is not all that its cracked up to be. Give it a chance you might find that you really like it alot. I also know that for a while you will feel bad because when your fellow nurses talk to you, you will feel left out because they have the "real" nursing experience, and in turn they will be jealous of you for your new job.
2nd you might get a little rusty but you don't lose your nursing skills, you learned it once you can learn it again. And if you really wanted to you can always pick up a prn home health nursing gig later down in the future.
And honestly that is what you go to nursing school for. To find a nice cushy job, you just so happened to skip a step.

To be honest, I think you're very lucky! Working at a hospital sucks. There are nurses who truly love it, but floor nursing is not for everyone. Most of us are looking for a job like yours! If you love what you're doing, and you're cut out for research nursing, stay there! Love what you do, and if it's the right fit, then you won't miss a hospital setting nor will you regret that you started off at a research job instead. There are a ton of opportunities in which you can keep up with your skills, and though it's not the same, I wouldn't complain if I were you. I'm trying to get out of the hospital and you're trying to get in! lol! You'll be fine. Enjoy what you've been able to accomplish thus far, which is definitely a lot.

It's amazing that you want to keep up with your clinical nursing skills. Perharps, you can pick up some extra hours at your local hospital, or LTC setting. As long as you do what you love to do. You should be fine!!!

Follow your heart!!!

Jambi462, thank you for sharing this information with us. Your job sounds awesome. I am a new grad currently looking for work myself and your experience has inspired me. If you don't mind, I would like to ask you, how did you do your job search? How did you find out about a nurse research job? The only jobs I ever see are the hospital and nursing home kind.

I just saw an ad for a research nurse "the other day". I'm using Monster and also looking at facility/employer websites directly. This is in Massachusetts.

Ahaha... god, I'm trudging through postgraduate work so I can qualify for a research job.