Qualifications required for Research Nurse

[guest833402]

I am interested in becoming a clinical research nurse. I went on a job search engine and found 2 facilities that are hiring research nurses, are both are roughly an hour away from home. Although I am currently staying home on maternity leave, I plan to go back to work when my baby is around 18 months to 2 years old. Since I need to arrange for child care before and after work, I am trying to avoid jobs that have odd hours or that require a lot of overtime, especially if I have a long commute. I am wondering what types of hours research nurses work and if overtime is required.

Also, I would like to know what qualifications are required to become a clinical research nurse. I have always found the field of research to be very interesting and currently have a BSN and MSN degree, with a 4.0 GPA in both programs. I have been a registered nurse for 6 years with experience in med-surg/oncology, cardiac, critical care, and management. Is there anything specific that I should do to become eligible for a position?

[pshs_2000]

Hi,

Based on you background, you seem like you would be qualified to be a research nurse. I'm a research nurse (also called a study coordinator) with a hospital system, so I see patients inpt and outpt. Hours can vary depending on the types of studies you do. Phase 1 studies can be very time and resource intense (lots of assessments, blood draws, etc). I work mostly with Phase 2 and 3 studies and compassionate use. I do heme/onc/transplant research. So if I have a new diagnosis patient on the weekend, I would have to be available to get them enrolled on a study. Transplant patients are planned/timed, so I can prepare for their enrollments (unless they become critically ill and I need to put them on a different study). Generally, I work 8-5, M-F. I've had to do a few weekends, stay late, etc. It's hard to explain, but feel free to PM me if you have any questions.

[findingmyself]

What if I have a bachelors in biochemistry and am interested in entering clinical research... Would it be beneficial for me to pursue a nursing program? Or would I just need a phlebotomy certificate or something like that and that would be a tool I can attain for collections? How is clinical research like if you are a nurse versus non-nurse? I love learning about new medical advancements and the science involved in pharmacology... But it all protocol and data collection as I've heard? Which route would lend to more creativity, career advancement and a decent work schedule with kids?