Any point to a certificate in Clinical Research Management?

[cindyloowho]

Hi guys, I am a pediatric oncology nurse with a BSN and a year and a half experience. I also have a BA in psych and nursing is a second careeer for me. I love my job but also don't want to be a floor nurse for ever. I have been thinking that becoming a CRC would be a good fit for me as I enjoy patient interaction, a bit of desk time, and I have always been one to not just do my work, but educate myself about why my work needs to be done. I enjoy learning about pathophys of my kiddos disease, statistics of survival, new treatment approaces, as well as educating patients and new nurses about treatment approaches and protocols.

But I'm green and have no experience with what a CRC actually does. I am going to ask to shadow one of the researc nurses at our onc clinic but also have been reading up on the different education options for research nurses.

I have come across some certification programs in clinical research management and would like to know if anyone has opinions about the need for such training. I'm specifically looking at Berkley's Clinical Research Conduct and Management certificate.

These programs average 12-15 credits and I could get most of it covered by my tuition reimbursement but don't want to take classes that would be pointless and not needed. Should I venture into a program like these or just attemtp to get on the job training by applying to CRC jobs? Thanks for any input!!!

[CrunchRN, ADN, RN]

Not really. If you can network your way into a job with your RN credentials that is the way to do it. Then after you get a couple years experience you can take the certification test from SOCRA or the other one, ?ARCP? something like that LOL.

Those other programs are pretty much for people without an RN from what I have seen.

[MagsMom]

Hi guys, I am a pediatric oncology nurse with a BSN and a year and a half experience. I also have a BA in psych and nursing is a second careeer for me. I love my job but also don't want to be a floor nurse for ever. I have been thinking that becoming a CRC would be a good fit for me as I enjoy patient interaction, a bit of desk time, and I have always been one to not just do my work, but educate myself about why my work needs to be done. I enjoy learning about pathophys of my kiddos disease, statistics of survival, new treatment approaces, as well as educating patients and new nurses about treatment approaches and protocols.

But I'm green and have no experience with what a CRC actually does. I am going to ask to shadow one of the researc nurses at our onc clinic but also have been reading up on the different education options for research nurses.

I have come across some certification programs in clinical research management and would like to know if anyone has opinions about the need for such training. I'm specifically looking at Berkley's Clinical Research Conduct and Management certificate.

These programs average 12-15 credits and I could get most of it covered by my tuition reimbursement but don't want to take classes that would be pointless and not needed. Should I venture into a program like these or just attemtp to get on the job training by applying to CRC jobs? Thanks for any input!!!

No I don't think it would be useful. I agree that it would be more beneficial to work in research and then take SOCRA or ACRP. SOCRA, I think, has a history in oncology so it might be more applicable - (and cheaper) but either certification works.