should i get msrn clinical research degree

Published

Currently working as case manager, have BS in Psychology, AD nursing, 6 years clinical working as ICU nurse, would like to work as clinical research coordinator-should I pursue Masters in Nursing for Clinical Research-would take app 3.5 years and cost app $40,000??

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Medicare/rehab (prev), Ortho Research.

hi,

I posted under "any clinical research nurses out there?".

I am an RN and a research coordinator. That is a lot of time and money and will probably over qualify you. If you want to go back to school for the sake of furthering your education, by all means do it, but as far as just to be a coordinator... not so much.

I guess, from what my boss told me, after 2 yrs experience as a coordinator, you can apply to take a test to be a CNRC (clinical nurse research coordinator). This is the route I am going. I am still working to further my education but in nursing in general, not specifically in research. The horror of it is, if you go back to school for research specifically, without trying it first...what if you don't like it? It's not for everyone.

This is why I am going back for my bachelors and then masters (probably in nursing education to eventually teach further generations of nurses). The pay isn't great to be an instructor either but, as I indicated in my other post...it's not all about the financial aspect. Great hours and flexibilty of schedule in nursing are hard to come by. For me, even though the money is not as good (it's still not bad though) the other perks make up for it. It's nice to leave work at work (for the most part).

that's my :twocents:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Oncology, Research.
hi,

I posted under "any clinical research nurses out there?".

I am an RN and a research coordinator. That is a lot of time and money and will probably over qualify you. If you want to go back to school for the sake of furthering your education, by all means do it, but as far as just to be a coordinator... not so much.

I guess, from what my boss told me, after 2 yrs experience as a coordinator, you can apply to take a test to be a CNRC (clinical nurse research coordinator). This is the route I am going. I am still working to further my education but in nursing in general, not specifically in research. The horror of it is, if you go back to school for research specifically, without trying it first...what if you don't like it? It's not for everyone.

This is why I am going back for my bachelors and then masters (probably in nursing education to eventually teach further generations of nurses). The pay isn't great to be an instructor either but, as I indicated in my other post...it's not all about the financial aspect. Great hours and flexibilty of schedule in nursing are hard to come by. For me, even though the money is not as good (it's still not bad though) the other perks make up for it. It's nice to leave work at work (for the most part).

that's my :twocents:

I concur. Plus, you would want to see if the area is a good fit for you before you spend money on the degree. I have found that a lot of people quit in the first year after finding their expectations were much different from reality. If you do like research, certification is a good option. I have not heard of a CNRC but there are CCRPs through SoCRA and CCRCs through the ACRP. I am a CCRC and having the certification has helped me in my career.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion