maintaining employment as research nurse

I, too, would be hired by the University and imagine it is a similar setup to UF. I currently work in an office and my doctor will be retiring long before I will be ready and so no position (other than hospital) is a long-term guarantee, I suppose. Research seems to have more interesting and varied opportunities and that is why I am thinking of returning to it. I have been out of the hospital for over 10 years and have NO desire to return. Thanks for all the input.

Dear Wren,
Thanks for the additional advice. I have been wondering about whether certification would be a good idea and have had conflicting advice on that. The programs I have looked at seem quite interesting but expensive. I thought it might be helpful to "reintroduce" me to the research setting since I have been out for awhile. I like the idea of staying at the university setting as much as possible as my husband is a professor there and our daughter attends school near there and it would be convenient. But I understand the value of networking for other possibilities.

With regard to certification, did you obtain it after you were a research nurse for awhile? I am waiting a few months before actually applying--a new research division is being set formed and there will be more opportunities. While certification in the beginning might not increase pay, it might make the transition when starting out easier. I know there are some certifications you can only obtain after being in research awhile but there are a few courses that are designed for a new reserach nurse. Any thoughts?