Oncology clinical research nurses! question for ya

[MsGolightlyRN]

As a former cancer patient, and now a new oncology RN (8months out of school) on an inpatient heme/onc floor, I have a special place in my heart for all things onc! However, I am finding inpatient care very difficult. I think it's a difficult place to be for anyone; but as a former patient, I get really emotionally drained from seeing people die every week. I love my patients and families, and teaching them all about their disease and especially about their treatment. I love this aspect of nursing. I literally just started trying to look into other options, and all of a sudden my oncologist has told me that his team is looking for a clinical research nurse at the outpt. clinic where I was treated and he basically offered me the job. What perfect timing! After looking into it a bit, I think it's something I would love! I work with a lot of research protocols now, especially with my BMT patients, so I am not totally new to research, but I just want to know if there are other onc CRN's out there that can tell me: what is the job is really like!?! Thanks in advance! :redpinkhe

[Fonenurse]

HI I used to work as an oncology research nurse but haven't for a while. The job for me was just as emotionally draining as the ward, and sometimes even more so as patients thought the research treatment would be the miracle cure they were hoping for and I hated shattering their dreams but often had to inject a sense of realism... don't get me wrong, I loved the job, but being in that field, it was draining in so many different ways...

[anc33]

The job is mostly paperwork depending on where you work. I work for a large research university I hardly ever come in contact with patients. My job entails assessing feasibility of protocols, preparing budgets, endless regulatory docs, making sure that appts are properly scheduled and followed through, performing inservices for the heme/onc RN staff on protocols, filling out reports, and so on. It is almost secondary that my job involves cancer patients. I think alot of nurses go into research thinking they will be involved in exciting and cutting edge procedures. But it is not really that way for the most part. If you like working at a desk then research may be for you. If you like a fast pace and being on your feet then you may want to stick with your current position or find a clinic job. In my short 3 years in clinical research I have seen many nurses quit because they did not know what they were getting into. See if you can shadow a CRC to see if you like the job so that you don't end up regretting things later. Don't get me wrong, I love what I do, but it is definitely not for everyone.