[jjsc0204]

I live in the Vacaville/Fairfield, CA area. I use to work in research before my nursing degree and would be interested in working as a research nurse.

Does anybody have ideas on how to find such jobs as we just moved in the area and I haven't been in practice in a while.

[jrsimon82]

go to the centers for disease control website(national) then type in the agencies you'd enjoy working for( dept of fish wildlife disease, teen pregnancy survey, fda products, pharmaceuticals etc.). go to the state of ca. home page and look up civil service exams. you will find dozens of research jobs if you look hard enough- pay is less though, sometimes a lot compared to staff nursing.
good luck
jackie

[jjsc0204]

Thanks for the reply Jackie. That sounds really promising.

[tjb6929]

I also think that nursing research sounds very interesting. I do know that if you work for a pharmaceutical company, the pay is very good. I have checked into a few compaines (lily is one of them) and the pay is great! i thought all nursing research jobs were more lucrative...hmmm...i will have to look into that one- haha! but let me know if you have success- i would eventually like to go that route someday myself.

[augigi]

If you work for a drug company, you're not usually a "research nurse". You may be a CRA, but you're generally not acting as a nurse.

[outcomesfirst]

Originally Posted by augigi

If you work for a drug company, you're not usually a "research nurse". You may be a CRA, but you're generally not acting as a nurse.

I have to disagree with this statement. Nurses 'act' like nurses, no matter the defined role. As a CRA you are advocating for patients, just as much as you are supportng the study. One of the advantages nurses bring to clinical trials is their deep knowledge base, the ability to hold educational and informed discussion, participate in research decision making and through these tools protect patients.

[anc33]

The drug companies' phase I units do pay fairly well. Private companies like Covance, etc and University positions are not as lucrative. But, if you get a few years under your belt then you can become a CRA.

To outcomesfirst: In my experience I have never seen a CRA, nurse or not, who was a patient advocate. A CRA's main job is to make sure the protocol is followed to a T and that the data are correct. Plus by the time the CRA rolls in, the study is winding down. This is phase I, mind you. I do not know what your background is.

[augigi]

Originally Posted by outcomesfirst

I have to disagree with this statement. Nurses 'act' like nurses, no matter the defined role. As a CRA you are advocating for patients, just as much as you are supportng the study. One of the advantages nurses bring to clinical trials is their deep knowledge base, the ability to hold educational and informed discussion, participate in research decision making and through these tools protect patients.

I'm sorry, but the job description of a CRA is not the same as that of a nurse. Their responsibility if they work for the trial sponsor is NOT to protect the patient, but to adhere to the regulatory guidelines governing the study.

I don't disagree that nurses make great CRAs, but it is not the same role as a "Research Nurse", who works for a clinical trial site (recruiting patients, doing consents etc).

[outcomesfirst]

Thank you for the feedback. Please allow me to clarify my intent. ICH E6 (for monitors see 5.18.1) and FDA 21 CFR 50, 56, 312 are specifically directed to clinical research and directly/primarily require sponsors, CROs, investigators and CRA's, CRM's etc to protect patients - it really does not matter if they have RN, LPN, BS or AA behind their name. It is law. Failure to do so can result in criminal and civil liability. The first job of anyone, in any environment of research is to protect patients. For example a CRA who visits a site and finds they are drugging people and then obtaining informed consent is required by law to act to protect the patient - its nice that this will also protect the sponsor. That said, what I was trying to convey in my statement was not a job description, but a message about the wonderful diversity and knowledge nurses in the research industry bring - they enhance the entire research process, for all stakeholders. It is worth remembering, as a nurse, licensed nurses are held to the standard of licensure irrespective of job description. Nurses are always expected to protect patients, no matter the job description, no matter additional regulations by FDA or ICH - failure to do so will affect your professional licensure.

[augigi]

As someone who hires nurses frequently as both clinical specialists, marketing/sales specialists and CRAs, I completely agree that they bring the perfect skill mix.