How does one get into nursing research?

offdoodykcrn · Apr 2, 2002

Once you are out of school, decide on the area you would like to focus on - big research areas are cancer, cardiac, pain management, orthopedics, surgery, aids, spinal and brain injury, just to name a few - and spend at least 2-3 years in an acute care setting caring for those types of patients. Research is great - I love it - but you gotta know your stuff! Good luck!

researchrabbit · Aug 7, 2002

I've been working in clinical trials for 12 years now; I actually got the job BEFORE I became a nurse. I think your best bet is either academics or a pharmaceutical/medical device company.

Research is more encouraged at teaching hospitals than any other setting (be it your own research or working on someone else's research). Pharmaceutical companies also hire nurses; I know of at least two companies that have nurses who write or oversee protocols. There is at least one for-profit research company run solely by nurses which investigates/develops medical products (after all, we use 'em, we should design 'em!).

Writing skills are NECESSARY, both for writing research and publishing. This is a PAPER-INTENSIVE area!

MHN · Aug 21, 2002

Diana ,I've just completed my Post grad diploma in Community Mental Health Nursing and now find my self doing my masters in clinical nursing majoring in mental health .The move to do my masters came because a research project just fell in lap almost literally when researching my favourite topic violence in mental health I was offered an instrument to trial in the facility I work.We have a strong research dept at our hospital ,during the process of talking with the Prof. in charge she encouraged me to start the project but also to do my masters as it wasn't much more "who's she kidding" so thats how I got started.It does really help if you have a pet like or you have seen things that you believe can be done differently and maybe even better simply research can be finding answers to your questions with the thought of improving care of the patient or improving saftey for your fellow nurses.Good Luck in your quest.MHN

t2000JC · Sep 1, 2004

Diana ,I've just completed my Post grad diploma in Community Mental Health Nursing and now find my self doing my masters in clinical nursing majoring in mental health .The move to do my masters came because a research project just fell in lap almost literally when researching my favourite topic violence in mental health I was offered an instrument to trial in the facility I work.We have a strong research dept at our hospital ,during the process of talking with the Prof. in charge she encouraged me to start the project but also to do my masters as it wasn't much more "who's she kidding" so thats how I got started.It does really help if you have a pet like or you have seen things that you believe can be done differently and maybe even better simply research can be finding answers to your questions with the thought of improving care of the patient or improving saftey for your fellow nurses.Good Luck in your quest.MHN

so, is it better to get a masters in a clinical area than in management? t.