How to find research nurse jobs

jrsimon82 · May 19, 2006

go to the centers for disease control website(national) then type in the agencies you'd enjoy working for( dept of fish wildlife disease, teen pregnancy survey, fda products, pharmaceuticals etc.). go to the state of ca. home page and look up civil service exams. you will find dozens of research jobs if you look hard enough- pay is less though, sometimes a lot compared to staff nursing.

good luck

jackie

jjsc0204 · May 19, 2006

Thanks for the reply Jackie. That sounds really promising.

tjb6929 · Oct 8, 2006

I also think that nursing research sounds very interesting. I do know that if you work for a pharmaceutical company, the pay is very good. I have checked into a few compaines (lily is one of them) and the pay is great! i thought all nursing research jobs were more lucrative...hmmm...i will have to look into that one- haha! but let me know if you have success- i would eventually like to go that route someday myself.

augigi, CNS · Oct 8, 2006

If you work for a drug company, you're not usually a "research nurse". You may be a CRA, but you're generally not acting as a nurse.

outcomesfirst, BSN, RN · Nov 25, 2006

if you work for a drug company, you're not usually a "research nurse". you may be a cra, but you're generally not acting as a nurse.

i have to disagree with this statement. nurses 'act' like nurses, no matter the defined role. as a cra you are advocating for patients, just as much as you are supportng the study. one of the advantages nurses bring to clinical trials is their deep knowledge base, the ability to hold educational and informed discussion, participate in research decision making and through these tools protect patients.

anc33 · Nov 25, 2006

The drug companies' phase I units do pay fairly well. Private companies like Covance, etc and University positions are not as lucrative. But, if you get a few years under your belt then you can become a CRA.

To outcomesfirst: In my experience I have never seen a CRA, nurse or not, who was a patient advocate. A CRA's main job is to make sure the protocol is followed to a T and that the data are correct. Plus by the time the CRA rolls in, the study is winding down. This is phase I, mind you. I do not know what your background is.

augigi, CNS · Nov 26, 2006

i have to disagree with this statement. nurses 'act' like nurses, no matter the defined role. as a cra you are advocating for patients, just as much as you are supportng the study. one of the advantages nurses bring to clinical trials is their deep knowledge base, the ability to hold educational and informed discussion, participate in research decision making and through these tools protect patients.

i'm sorry, but the job description of a cra is not the same as that of a nurse. their responsibility if they work for the trial sponsor is not to protect the patient, but to adhere to the regulatory guidelines governing the study.

i don't disagree that nurses make great cras, but it is not the same role as a "research nurse", who works for a clinical trial site (recruiting patients, doing consents etc).

outcomesfirst, BSN, RN · Nov 26, 2006

Thank you for the feedback. Please allow me to clarify my intent. ICH E6 (for monitors see 5.18.1) and FDA 21 CFR 50, 56, 312 are specifically directed to clinical research and directly/primarily require sponsors, CROs, investigators and CRA's, CRM's etc to protect patients - it really does not matter if they have RN, LPN, BS or AA behind their name. It is law. Failure to do so can result in criminal and civil liability. The first job of anyone, in any environment of research is to protect patients. For example a CRA who visits a site and finds they are drugging people and then obtaining informed consent is required by law to act to protect the patient - its nice that this will also protect the sponsor. That said, what I was trying to convey in my statement was not a job description, but a message about the wonderful diversity and knowledge nurses in the research industry bring - they enhance the entire research process, for all stakeholders. It is worth remembering, as a nurse, licensed nurses are held to the standard of licensure irrespective of job description. Nurses are always expected to protect patients, no matter the job description, no matter additional regulations by FDA or ICH - failure to do so will affect your professional licensure.

augigi, CNS · Nov 26, 2006

As someone who hires nurses frequently as both clinical specialists, marketing/sales specialists and CRAs, I completely agree that they bring the perfect skill mix.

Wren · Nov 29, 2006

jjsc...If you have a medical school or health science in your area, check out their job postings. They often have many research nurse (or research coordinator) positions. Salaries in academia tend to be a bit lower so they have more difficulty recruiting nurses and are sometimes willing to train. My first research job was at a University Health Science Center and because it was a state job the benefits made up for the lack-luster salary. Good luck. :nurse:

MomenTs · Jan 8, 2007

It's almost going to be 3 years since I have been out of nursing school. I have a BSN degree. Lately I have been thinking a lot about working as a nurse researcher. It took me almost 3 yeras to figure out what I really liked. IN those three years, I haven't really been around hospital etc. Do I stil have a chance to apply for the positiong of a nurse researcher. Are there firms/organizations, that train the new graduates or the nurse grads who have been out of nursing for couple of years? What is the next step for me to take? Can you please advise me...I really do not want to see my nursing education go to waste. I used to be a bright student. I have a very curious mind, and I love keepin myself updated with new findings and researches. I feel lost here. I need someone to advise me as to what is the best step for me to take. I donot have nursing license...will that be a problem for me to find a job in a nursing research? Please advise. I will really appreiciate it. God bless.