Lilbop

I have been a clinical research nurse in oncology for over 22 years. It is extremely rewarding and continues to challenge me every single day. Having said that, the pace, depending on where you work (I work at a large teaching Hospital in an outpatient setting) can be vigorous. While i do not do direct patient care (infusions, blood draws, etc), some smaller institutions require that you do all portions of a trial. Mostly, I help consent and teach patients about their trial options, assure eligibility, administer study medications, monitor for adverse events, help schedule appointments, document all aspects of the trial, help with regulatory documents, etc. You work very closely with your team to oversee the patients participation and safety. You need to able to work independently within a team, have strong assessment skills and critical thinking, be meticulous with documentation and very organized. Certifications are encouraged (OCN (Oncology certified nurse) and CCRP (certified clincal research professional) are ones i have held. You need 3-5 years experience for most jobs in Pharma, which is more managerial or monitoring and may include vast amounts of travel, but pays very well. Hope this information helps