non-clinical nursing research?

[nursing tutor]

Hi everyone,

This is my first post here on allnurses. I graduated in 2006 with a BSN. By the time I started my last semester, I knew clinical nursing was not for me. I worked for about six months at a non-nursing position, doing social research on foster care - not the greatest thing. For the last two years, I have been tutoring nursing students, which has been both enjoyable and rewarding (though not steady enough as a source of income). I have thought about pursuing a career in nursing education, but the clinical nursing I would have to do in order to become a professor is just not an option. What do I enjoy is research; I read articles and books about health care policy for fun. However, I have no interest in clinical research. I would love to be an assistant to a researcher who is doing utilization research or something along those lines (I did a little of that as a student). If all I do is literature searches and photocopying, that would be fine.

So, what I am asking is: does anyone have any advice for someone trying to pursue a future in non-clinical research? Any information would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Karen

P.S. I have cross-posted this in the "nursing research" section.

[desertflower100]

It doens't really sound like you are interested that much in the health field. Have you thought about going into another field like marketing reseach, etc?

[nursing tutor]

No, I am still interested in the health field. If I wasn't, I wouldn't be tutoring nursing students. Thanks anyway.

[llg, PhD, RN]

I share some of your interests, nursing tutor. But unfortunately, there are few (if any) career that enable you to do only what you want to do and not anything you don't want to do. Most of the research assistants who do the kind of work you want to do are graduate students -- paid for out of research grants that specify that the funds be used to support grad students as they assist the principle investigator as part of their learning process. I held such a position for 5 years while I was a PhD student. It was the best job I ever had -- but it didn't pay enough to live on.

I have run across some people who work in nursing research centers (usually associated with large univerisities). They either start out as as secretaries and move into positions that are more directly related to information and data management -- or they are Research Coordinators who have experience in clinical nursing, got involved in research and have settled into a steay job as a research coordinator. They do both clinical and non-clinical research -- but may do more of one than the other depending on the research interests in the primary investigators working out of that research center. Others are faculty members who become "faculty associates" of such a research center -- helping students and other novice researchers with their projects. (I did that for 6 months right after I graduated from my PhD program.)

I would watch the job postings at local colleges/universities, etc. for jobs that involve data management, research assistant, maybe a lab coordinator position, etc. Be willing to consider jobs that aren't exactly what you want in order to get yoru foot in the door so that you can develop your contacts and a good reputation as a team member. Also, are you certified as a Research Coordinator? Any formal credentials you can get in research would be a benefit.

[nursing tutor]

Thanks, llq. I really appreciate your thoughtful answer. The only thing I really don't want to do is clinical, i.e. no drug trials where my work is mainly blood draws, etc. I am more than willing (in fact, it would be great) to have a not-high-paying job working for a PI, research coordinator, etc., where I'm just typing and do literature searches. I had a job as a research assistant to a professor while in school, but my clinical rotation hours forced me to give it up. While I did it, though, I really enjoyed it. It's not so much what I'm doing, as where I'm doing it. Working on evidence-based practice or making the working environment more hospitable to nurses (I did on a project on nurse-physician collaboration) would be amazing, even if I just did clerical work.

My alma mater has a "Center for Nursing Research", whose website mentions jobs available for nursing students. My question: would it be inappropriate to e-mail the director asking if there are jobs available for ex-students? I would in no way expect to be anything other than a research assistant, at the same level as a student (the pay is surprisingly decent). Many of the professors there do quite interesting research that I would love to be involved with. What do you think?

Thanks again for your help.

[llg, PhD, RN]

It wouldn't hurt to ask her about job possibilities -- a general inquiry for advice about a career path, etc. She may know of something ... or know someone looking for an assistant or secretary.

[nurseebol]

Personally I teach now in an LPN program. I am "doing my time" and really do enjoy the clinical part. However, my goal after I get my MSN is to go on for my doctorate and teach online...hopefully I can do that exclusively by the time I am about 55 (I am 38). But if I can earlier I picture myself sitting on the beach working...sipping Mai Tai's....that would be the life

[HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD]

The OP was very honest and seeking advice on pursuing work in research. But I am dismayed at information offered from PPs who suggest that nursing education would be a suitable substitute. PLEASE do NOT consider education if you are not willing to stay connected and engaged in clinical nursing. Many schools actually require a practice component for their nursing faculty so that they continue to be in touch with the real world.

Nurse educators need to be role models. I guess I'm naive, but it really makes me sad to think that anyone would choose to move into Nursing education in order to avoid contact with patient care. Our students do not deserve this.