Research Nurse Coordinator???

What do you think this would entail?? Im curious......

Curiosity is a good thing, right???

Are your studies grant based?

I met a nurse that was doing interventional cardiology research, but she was having to find another job because the grant was almost up. I think that in itself would be stressful, knowing that when the grant ran out, you were out of a job.

I've been reading about a master's program for clinical research administration. Have you thought about pursuing a masters in this specialty?

I can't justify spending money to back to school to for what is most certainly a low-paid position. My direct supervisor is Director of Research and only has a BSN. My last supervisor was a PA. I know they don't make that much money because we are in academia. Realistically, in the research world I don't see a need for such a specialized degree, unless you live somewhere that research opportunities are abundant. What it comes down to is experience--if you put someone who has this degree up against the vast majority of nurses who have research experience, the BSN will beat the Master's prepared nurse for the job.

I understand why an individual would not want to spend money going back to school only to be in a lower paying position when you come out. But why is education valued so little in nursing? I think that their should be higher educational standards in terms of who is hired into certain posts and it would bring up the public's opinions and respect for nursing in general. Experience is always more valuable than no experience but if we were more standardized in terms of which type of education is required for which job I think nursing as a profession would benefit in the long run. I think if nurses valued education for the sake of knowledge as well, and then aimed for a position that required their combination of education and past experience instead of just the position where they could make the most money maybe there would be more nurses satisfied with their careers.

I agree with you, however, I was speaking of my own personal plans. I have three children, ages 12, 10 and 2, and my husband is currently finishing a college degree. Going back to school does not currently fit into my budget or my schedule, however, earning 80K definately would. This is my personal goal, but I understand that other nurses may want to achieve something different.