Any NPs involved in clinical/basic research?

[Choko321]

Hello,

I am interested in knowing how a nurse practitioner can condut clinical/basic research. Is it necessary to obtain a PhD to do that? If anyone is familiar with this, could you advise on how to go about that???

[PediASL]

Hi. No it is not necessary to have a PhD in order to conduct clinical research. How you go about doing this will depend on your work environment. Within a hospital environment you will need to obtain permission for your study/review from the IRB (institutional review board) and if a clinical study, there is often a human subjects protocol you need to read. Consent forms for patients etc. usually need to be approved by IRB in addition to the study as a whole. Many RNs/NPs conduct clinical research without having a Doctoral degree.

If you work outside a hospital environment I would suggest speakign with you collaborating MD or supervisor or other colleagues.

Best of luck.

[ICRN2008, BSN, RN]

Most of the research nurse positions in my organization require a BSN but state that they prefer a MSN. I would check out the employment listings at your local teaching hospital or university.