Any clinical research nurses out there?

Specialties Research

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Hi all! This is my first post...just registered today! I found this BB to be very good for nurses to communicate! I was wondering tho, are there any clinical research nurses out there? None of the posts under "research nursing" really applied. I would like to see somebody in the same field respond.

I am a Certified Clinical Research Coordinator at a University and do all types of studies.

Am new to the site and just finished reading this thread as I am interested in research. But, how to break in? I am an RN who has worked psych and private family practice--with old 3 year diploma and more current associates degree in nursing but nothing more advanced than that. Is there any hope for me? Where should I look? Any suggestions. Am currently unemployed because my family practice employer is replacing office RNs with Medical Assistants! Sign of the times. I am too old and legs/feet can't take the running around of hospital nursing. I've always dreamed of research but didn't know where to look. Should I start with online "clinical research assistant" courses? One site I found is http://www.clinicalresearchtrainingonline.com and costs $1000. Has anyone taken a similar course and is it worth it for someone such as me with little to no clinical background? Any comments would be appreciated.

I am so sorry to invade your postings, but I am at my wits end trying to find someone in nursing research to answer 12 questions for me for my nursing values course. I have tried universities, local hospitals and everyone in the world I could think of. In fact it probably won't even be 12 questions, if you are unable to answer one we just go onto the next. It could be anyone doing research on evidenced based practice in a clinical setting or a full time research nurse in a clinical setting. I can't go any further in my course until I find that one special nurse who is willing to help me. Thank you sincerely Fran

Specializes in Clinical Research, Outpt Women's Health.

Go ahead and ask away. I will be happy to help you. Fell free to PM me if you want.

I sent you the interview per email. If you rather do it some other way that is fine with me. I am a little computer illiterate. What is PM?

Specializes in Clinical Research, Outpt Women's Health.

PM is private message. I will get it back to you ASAP after I receive it.

Specializes in Clinical Research, Outpt Women's Health.

I haven't received anything via e-mail from you..........

Sorry for the delay. I thought I sent that to you when I hit the reply on the email letter. Apparently it went back to all.nurses.com. I sent it to you using private messaging. Once again, thank you very much.

Specializes in Clinical Research, Outpt Women's Health.

No problem. I just sent it back to you. All the best!

Hi, Im a nurse in the philippines undergoing MSN. Apparently i need to revised my research study and i really want to research more on clinical problems/scenarios. hoping someone can lead me to a question.. hehe thanks so much

Wow! I haven't checked this BB in some time! Wish I had! There really are other CCRC's out there!

We just had our local ACRP Christmas Dinner/Meeting tonight! What a great evening! Our guest speaker was the head of our IRB and we talked about Consenting /Assent of Children in Clinical Research.

I am doing about 9 studies at the present time....

2 in Arthritis

1 in Sickle Cell

1 in Obesity

1 in Psych

2 in Hematology

1 in Fabry's Disease

1 in Wound Care

I am also on a sub-committee for the University IRB. I too LOVE my job! I have been doing research for 10 - 11 years now, and would never go back! If you are looking to relocate Sue, Washington University in St. Louis is great!

Specializes in 2 yrs or Nursing. ER nurse.
Hi everyone,

I'm a new grad RN, but have been working in pharmaceuticals/biotech for the past 7 years. I recently got hired on a tele/transplant unit but I have shoulder impingement syndrome, so my start date has been put on hold. My doctor cleared me to work recently, but now I'm having another flare-up of the tendonitis. I've been going to PT 1-2x/week for the past 4 months.

I still am working at my current job with a pharmaceutical company, and there's a position open for a CRA I that I'm considering, mostly because I'm afraid that I won't be able to do my job as a hospital nurse.

So, I'm wondering, is there anyone here who went straight into clinical research without having to work on the unit or floor? Or, if you have any advice for a nurse in the "injured reserve" I would greatly appreciate it. Thanks everyone!

Hello, I am an ED nurse that recently started looking to go into Pharmaceuticals. I am interested in any drug safety initiatives or CRA positions. I saw your post, though a year old, figured I'll try my luck in following up with you. Did you ever take that CRA position? Any recommendations on the Pharmaceutical companies out there that are hiring for CRAs?

Specializes in 2 yrs or Nursing. ER nurse.
When I come on to this site I see many people posting wanting to know how you get into research. I want to try and answer this.....at least what I have found to be true. I speak as someone who works as a Clinical Research Coordinator. And where I work they also refer to us a Research Nurses. Though it is my understanding that a Research Nurse is generally a PhD prepared Nurse who performs research....but I am off on a tangent.

First, there is not really a national standard that dictates a certain type of credential in order to work as a Research coordinator. I have been to Coordinator training as well as Investigator Meetings to kick off a study and the group is diverse. While many are nurses (LVN, RN) there are MA's, and I have heard that there are coordinators who do not have a medical background at all.

As far as how do you get into research.....you just have to look. Many places that advertise for research coordinators are willing to train. I personally think that a medical background is most helpful in getting a job since a large amount of your work is screening subjects and getting a detailed medical/medication history, and in many studies certain meds or conditions will exclude a patient from participating. Also, it is a plus to be able to read/interpret labs and other diagnostics since you want to be able to flag important ones for the MD's immediate attention. Here in San Antonio medical research is HUGE, so there are tons of jobs, hospital, doctors offices, and we have two different companies that do Phase 1-4 where patients may stay a weekend to 30 days in the facility.

I am getting a little long....sorry. I want to end by saying that working in research and coordinating studies can be fun, but can also be tedious. The paperwork/record keeping is demanding. You have to be organized and detail oriented...a tendency towards obssesive complusive behavior is a plus!!

Never forget.....He who has the most paperwork wins!!!!

Thank you for the brief synopsis about research nurses. Wanted to know if you have any recommendations as to the prominent companies hiring RNs as CRAs right now. Currently, I work as a ED nurse. I am looking to get out of bedside nursing and get into Pharmaceuticals. I am looking to just deal w/paper work as long as it's still deals w/medicine to some capacity. I am open to suggestions on other positions that demands a medical background but doesn't require clinical work. Thanks for your feedback in advance!

Specializes in 2 yrs or Nursing. ER nurse.
I worked as a Clinical Research Coordinator at a large University here in town for 5 years. It was neurologial studies. I've since moved on to other things, but I went for an interview for a ccr position at the same university last Friday for oncology studies and while interviewing I saw how everyone I spoke to or observed in the office were so s-t-r-e-s-s-e-d out! I've decided not to accept that position and to accept another one that doesn't seem to be as stressing. I love working in research but the working conditions do seem to have gotten worse, at least here.

Good day... what is the difference between clinical research coordinator and clinical research associate? I am an ED nurse looking to get out of bedside nursing. My sister is a senior CRA at one of the pharmaceutical companies. I am looking to get a position as a CRA. Yet, I see most nurses talking about CRC positions. What's the difference? Thanks for your response in advance!

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