hi gj! i just stumbled across your post. ironically, i just resigned a position in research nursing today. i was sorry to leave the position, but the contracting company i worked for was terrible. fortunately, the majority of contracting companies are not this way, i just happened to pick the exception! the type of work i did was trauma research for the army. i've been an lpn in pa for 8 years and an lvn in tx for one. i have no degree, just my diploma in practical nursing. i'm not sure what other employers require, but aside from me, the two other nurses were rn's. one was previously in the or and the other actually had let her nursing license expire several years ago. they were looking more at the overall medical background i think. i would say a variety of experience in different fields will help, as well as some info technology background. hope this helps a little!