Offered a position as research coordinator

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Specializes in MPH Student Fall/14, Emergency, Research.

Hello all,

I have about 1.5 years experience working in the ED, with about 10 months as an RN. I was recently offered a position in Emergency Medicine Research as a Research Coordinator. The research director assured me that nurses are extremely capable of acting as research coordinators because it is all about communication, which we are innately good at. I'm still nervous, though.

I will be transitioned into my new role by the outgoing CRC in January, so I don't feel like I am going to be thrown to the wolves. But I am hoping that other research nurses can help me get an idea of what to expect in this position.

The current studies include asthma, COPD, and a-fib presentations in ED and whether PCP followup can reduce them.

Is there anything you could share that would help me get a better idea of your day-to-day work routine, what you are responsible for, and how you know if you are doing a good job?

Thank you!

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sounds sweet! wow I'm an ED nurse who just transitioned to research nursing. I never new there were positions for ED research, that's great! sorry I'm new to research myself so I don't have any advice yet, but I think you'd love it!

Do you mind me asking where are you located? I never knew there was such a position.

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Specializes in MPH Student Fall/14, Emergency, Research.

Thanks, I will be working for a major Canadian university. I found the job through their website. If you are looking for a similar opportunity, I would suggest looking to see what centers are doing emergency med research in your area and following up from there :)

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Specializes in MPH Student Fall/14, Emergency, Research.

As a follow-up to my original post, I have been working in this position for about a week and a half, getting oriented to the role of CRC. So far I really like it - but WOW, is there ever a lot of paperwork on my desk (and I'm not even running a study yet!)

Thus far, my day usually goes as follows:

- Start work at 0800, check my email and the communication binder

- Keep an eye on patients currently in the ED and decide from their demographics and triage notes whether they might be eligible for a study

- Round on the unit, liaise with MDs and nurses, encourage everyone to page me if they have a suitable patient

- Find a suitable patient, explain the study, get consent, and enrol them

- Photocopy, photocopy, fax, email, and photocopy some more

- Complete clinical interventions on research patients as needed (administer study drugs, etc)

- Complete paperwork and study follow-ups in person, by phone, and by looking up the patient's EMR

Definitely NOT what I expected, but then I didn't really have any expectations. It is worlds away from being a staff nurse. I almost feel bad that I am paid the same as I was being an emerg nurse. Hour long lunch breaks and out on time every day, what?? :D

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Specializes in Nursing.

@equestriRN: Sounds great! Does the university that you work for - do they send you to several different hospitals? Do you have a bachelors degree?

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