Nursing versus clinical research

[findingmyself]

I am interested in two different venues, but don't know which would better suit my personality and I would fit and excel in! I am caring, and like science...I completed a Bachelors of Science in Biochemistry a few years back and after getting my daughter haven't really pursued my career thoughts any further! (Im also currently a single mother, so I feel starting a career route that suits me now is better sooner than later!)

I considered entering the clinical research field, as I also love new developments in medicine, pharmacology and learning and watching things develop...after recently learning that nursing can lead me to clinical research, I started to consider that route...But the question arises, would nursing suit me? Is it enough to be caring and like science to be able to handle the sight of blood, injections, etc.

Another factor that drew me to nursing versus a masters for example in clinical research of other biomedical research masters is that I would gain clinical knowledge and a hands on experience that can also go hand in hand in research...Another factor that also drew me to nursing is that it wasn't particularly how I had pictured it, or how most people tend to picture it, but that there are many venues and career expansions...I was also a research assistant before during my university years, and really enjoyed the recruiting of patients and subjects for fMRI scans at the research institute I was at...I'm not sure if I should just continue with a role like a clinical research coordinator type, or if taking the nursing route first would be beneficial or a waste of time to the same end result?

All of that is just me assuming! How are things in the real world, and in my case what would be the best route to take? And how can I know for sure which route to take?

(Aside;I also was recently inspired by neonatal nursing; but I'm not sure if that was just a phase of me loving the idea of helping babies and contributing to saving them after I had helped safe a chocking baby in a restaurant?!)

I don't know, I just know that I really want to start knowing, and further my education all in the while getting that feeling like I made a difference.

I know I sound a bit all over the map, but I am in dire need and would highly appreciate some of you alls experience and much needed advice.

[HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD]

It's exciting to think about so many different options, isn't it?

I have worked in most areas of Critical Care.... but just couldn't hack NICU because I was unable to cope with all the ethical gray areas.. the quality vs quantity (of life), uncertain advocacy for the teeny ones (decisions based on parents' wishes rather than the actual patient's needs), economic mis-match (enormous costs/resources with no reasonable hope of outcomes in many cases), ... and seeing the families basically 'dissolve' due to the multiple effects of poor birth outcomes. Sheesh. Maybe I just didn't have the right patient population, but that was my experience.

If you're interested in becoming a 'research nurse' - that's pretty much the same role as a clinic nurse; managing paperwork, teaching patients, obtaining specimens, etc. I don't know if there's a specific pathway into those jobs, but the openings are usually filled by nurses who know the physician conducting the research. The biggest problem is that the positions tend to be limited to that particular study rather than a normal full-time job.

If you're interested in actually conducting research as a nurse, you would need a doctorate - that's the level at which it occurs in our profession. Most researchers are employed in academia full time - taking leave as available if funded by the research grant.

Best of luck to you on the road ahead.