Any RN's working in the research field???

BeachNurse · Jun 16, 2004

I've worked in research since the early 90s. Other than a part time job, I have never worked in a hospital.
I started out doing pharmaceutical trials, now I work in NIH sponsored trials.
Some research groups are all about the money. Others are about the research with the secondary aim of helping patients who otherwise can't afford the meds (I've worked in both).
If you are interested in nursing research and writing your own grants, you will need a PhD. Or you will need a PhD who is willing to head up your project. Right now the NIH is really pushing grants written by nurses. So those of you with PhDs, please look at the NIH website. They will even work with you to get your grant written.
The pharmaceutical trials were fun; mostly I did long term studies, so I got to know my patients. In general, you get to go on a trip to someplace pretty nifty to learn how to do the study. When you get home, usually the MD needs you to do everything including tell him/her when to do the physical exam (except for the few who are micromanagers, and I'd suggest NOT working for them). The work is flexible (depending on the study; I've done some where I carried a pager and saw the pts in the ER and then stayed for 8 hours; on another study, the patient had to be seen at the same time of day, every day, 7 days a week). The few times I've had to work holidays, it was never the whole day.
If you work for a private research group, there is often the possibility of bonuses if you do well with recruitment and get things in on time. Many universities won't allow employees to accept a bonus, however; but then again, the benefits are wonderful through a university (if you are worried about retirement and like 5 weeks vacation a year, a university is the way to go).
When I got tired of for-profit studies, and needed more of a challenge, I started working with nonprofit studies; NIH grants and nonfunded studies. These are much more diverse in nature and I see everyone from infants to elderly and work with over 90 different protocols.
You tend to get much more respect as a research nurse because the MDs/PhDs are depending on you heavily, and there is a lot of personal interaction. There is a LOT of paper involved, but also a nice mix of patient contact.
And you don't need certification; I've been offered any job I've applied for. These jobs are also sometimes open to non-nurses, as well (that's how I got into nursing -- my research employer told me they could pay me double if I got my RN).

I personally enjoy the NIH studies (I have 2 at the moment) also. I really didn't like the private sector work, as it was all money-driven and the studies are "fluffy"....not like the ones I do here for Pediatric HIV/AIDS research--that really help people. I forgot to mention that MD/research nurse interaction: you really do get more respect, and in some cases I have felt treated as an equal! I always feel very appreciated my docs. Another bonus...thanks hypnotic nurse for adding to the conversation. :)

CHIRN · Jun 19, 2004

I was in neurolgy research for about 3 years...we did acute stroke studies. I got tons of respect and was treated as an absolute equal. Then I decided to change the world and become a critical care nurse....wow what a different view. I don't see myself leaving, however. For all the "crap" I endure, it still makes my day to see someone leave that unit alive.

BTW, no insults to research nurses intended. We all play our own parts. Kudos to you guys. As for me, what do the teenie-boppers say these days?....

"Bring it on!!!" :angryfire :rotfl:

Mais-Rose · Jun 29, 2004

Hi there. To find a teaching university, your best bet would be to find a university that is affiliated with a medical school. My certification is Certified Clinical Research Coordinator. You have to take a test, but to be eligible to sit for the exam you must have 2 years of research experience as a RN. You don't have to have the certification to obtain the position, though. This website might be helpful to you:
http://www.acrpnet.org/education/examrev/index.html
It is nice having a "normal working hours" job. The pay probably varies by location but in general it is a bit less than what staff nurses make. The good thing is that these positions are usually salaried, and there is no "clocking" in and out. You get paid for the work you do, not your time. There are occaisons where I have worked overtime due to a long study visit, but there are so many times that I come in early/leave early when I need to and not penalized for it. I can attend many educational activities on my workday time, as well get free CEU's and paid trips to investigator meetings. It's not too bad at all!

You know, I have thought about research nursing as an option as well. I really did not know much about it, or whether it was a feasible line of work. Please tell me more. For instance how to get started. Thanks.