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It doesn't matter what unit you come from, only that you can adapt to the research mindset. It is different from any other kind of nursing. A lot of nurses find it difficult to either make the transition or to maintain their interest. Speak to the research nurses in your hospital, likely in the oncology or CV departments I'd guess. Where in the country are you located? PM me if you want and I can try to give you more specific answers.

OP, you have plenty of experience to get a job as a research nurse. I worked as a research assistant for 2 years in the lab, ended up going to nursing school and worked on the floor for about 9 months before I got my current job as a research nurse. They took me over many other candidates because of my research lab experience, which it sounds like you have more than enough. I would echo the previous posters and get some floor time in for the experience, but it's up to you. Also, I'm getting paid significantly more as a research nurse, my pay is about 30% more than what I was getting on the floor, so it must vary depending on where you are.

If you enjoy research and you want to do it for a career, yes. If you are absolutely unable to get a job as an RN doing anything else, yes (saturated job market). Although, if you are unsure this is what you want to do or you have any thoughts of specializing in another field, maybe not. What kind of research? If it's phase I clinical trials on cancer patients using experimental drugs, you'll probably learn alot that can be used in other specialties. But if it's more monitoring healthy patients, you may not learn much and if you decide you don't like it, you may find it hard to get a different nursing job.

As you describe it, that sounds a lot like the research coordinators here. I like to think of them as a liaison between the sponsor, the investigators and the nursing staff and they physically manage the study itself (or multiple studies at the same time). They do a lot of teaching and the study success rides on their ability to combine what the investigators want to do with what is possible at the facility and explain it to everyone. It's a really cool type of nursing, definitely different from the traditional model. My site generally only has healthy participants, but it sounds like your site has studies on investigational drugs that may be used for severely ill patients, possibly to cure a cancer or prolong life. There are so many different models, each site does something different, even on multi site studies. My place hires ADNs and BSNs, I don't think they care what kind of program you did, as long as you're a good nurse and that you "get" research. That is difficult for a lot of nurses.

You're likely right about the nursing license. That may be something you have to get before your info can make it past the human resources screening. I'm also unsure of how to navigate international work permits because it sure seems like you have enough experience in the field. Another thing some of the PhDs here have told me in the past is that finding someone doing research that you are interested in and emailing them to let them know you are interested in working with them may help more than just applying to open positions.

Are you going to be looking for a nursing research job and teaching as a PhD or are you looking into working as a nurse on clinical research trials? Are you looking to work in New York City or somewhere else in New York? I'd guess NYC probably has the most clinical research trials, but that may not be what you're looking for.

I guess it depends on what the job responsibilities are. I'm guessing most places are different depending on how large they are and what type of research trials they do. At my location we mainly do phase 1 trials, which typically has healthy participants. It is quite a bit of a change from the floor. The following is specific to my place, but I assume most places are somewhat similar. At my location, we have clinical research coordinators who are RNs that (among many other things) write protocols, collaborate with the research sponsor and the medical/scientific staff and screen participants to join a study. They are essentially managing the research studies. It is a salaried, M-F 8 hour day job in the office with some time spent in the clinic. I'm considering doing it in the future. We also have clinical research nurses who follow whatever the protocol says to do. This is my current position. I'm essentially doing nursing tasks, but there's not an overwhelming number of participants with new admissions coming constantly like there was on the floor. If the protocol says to take vitals at 0900, 1300 and 1800, you take vitals at 0900, 1300 and 1800. If a blood draw is to be done 30 minutes post meal, you draw 30 minutes post meal, etc. You may dose participants with an experimental drug. You monitor for adverse events like headaches and rashes including serious adverse events like anaphylaxis or worse. We do procedures as well. Some participants have biopsies, so we prep the sterile field and assist the MD/NP. We read the protocols and have to be knowledgeable about what is allowed or not allowed. Participants may not be able to get out of bed for the duration of the study, or they may be required to exercise every day, etc. I may be assigned one participant for the day, maybe 2 if needed. I've never had more than that. The nice part is that the participants are typically healthy and don't take any medications. So unless required by protocol, no assessments, no massive 9am med pass, no emptying bed pans, no heart monitors, no worrying about respiratory depression from too much pain meds, no PEG tubes, trachs, wound vacs, isolation, etc, etc. I work M-F 8 hour days and get paid the same as I did working night shift on the floor (going from 36 to 40 hours makes up the difference) and we have off on all the major holidays. The atmosphere is much more laid back as well. We have casual fridays. The doctors, lab staff and research PhDs are all friendly and we seem to work more as a team compared to how the hospital operated. I feel like my input is not only listened to, but respected here. I don't feel micromanaged like I did on the floor. I won't get written up for clocking in >5 minutes before a shift or being I'm sure there's much more I'm missing, but that's the basics. If you can manage a team of patients on the floor, you can function as a clinical research nurse. However, you have to keep in mind the big picture: you are not fixing this patient during this admission. You aren't clearing up pneumonia or helping someone recover from an auto accident. You may be dosing with an experimental drug that is approved for sale 10 years from now, or helping to understand a metabolic pathway. You're contributing more to health care science for the future than you are to an individual at that admission (with the exception of research on life saving measures or something like a cancer drug). I wouldn't suggest trying research nursing as a new job option if you want to end up back on the floor in the future. That's not to say it can't be done, but you will likely not be using many of your nursing skills on a daily basis. Also, if you leave before your first year on the floor, you may not have that magical "one year of experience" another unit may require. If it's something you're interested in, go for it! You may find you love it and you never want to leave (like me).

I am wondering the same thing. I have 2 years of academic research with my BSN and ~6 mo experience as an RN. I'll be applying to CRC and CRA positions. Hopefully my research experience makes me stand out as a good candidate.

Have you considered moving to Alabama? You've already gotten offers, but chose not to take them. Move back to AL, get your experience, maybe consider enrolling in an online RN-BSN program and then you shouldn't have a problem getting a job in Atlanta in a year or so. Good luck.

You are correct. Sorry to offer a bleak outlook, but I haven't heard of anywhere in central Florida paying more than $24/hr to start as a new grad RN. I would believe it is that way in most of the SE US. There's a reason it is almost impossible to get a new nurse job in CA, they have the highest pay in the country and state mandated patient ratios. All of which leads to an influx of nursing programs churning out graduates. Good luck.

The first question you should ask yourself is "why do I want to become a nurse anesthetist?". What about the work excites you? Can you see yourself doing it as a career? Have you shadowed a CRNA? You may be able to do that if you ask around. In general, you could progress to a critical care area with about a year of experience based on your employers policies. This gives you a good grasp on time management and the basics of nursing. Or, it's possible you could be directly hired into a critical care position, it all depends on the hospital. Many people have been directly hired into critical care and have done well. The suggestions above are all good. Ideally, at least 2 years critical care experience for a good school. Plenty of others have done it with less, but the more experience you have, the better candidate you will be.

I'm about 4 months in to my first nursing job. It's been okay for me and I've had an excellent orientation. I work 3 days per week, but I've found I don't like too much time off. I'd like to work an additional PRN job (once a week/every other week), or perhaps volunteer, but I'm not really interested in doing an additional 12 hour shift on my unit. What would be an appropriate place to look? I want to broaden my current knowledge as I continue to learn in my current position and I'm interested in research. I've thought about the local public health departments, but they're all in a budget crunch (who isn't) and only have a single FT position listed on their websites. I can't think of anything else though. I'm sure someone out there is more creative when it comes to looking for this kind of thing.

I would think long and hard about a move to central Florida from NJ. I don't mean to crush your spirits, but with your experience and even with what you consider to be a lower than average NJ wage, you are going to be in for a disappointment salary wise. I don't think you'll have a problem finding a job with those credentials, but the hourly rate here is laughable compared to the west coast or northeast. The cost of living is a bit lower, but not enough to justify the pay rate. You might consider waiting for the VA hospital in Lake Nona to open as they will offer better wages/benefits than the area hospitals. I know a lot of nurses here are waiting for it to open to flee there for that reason, not to mention the security of a government job. For what it's worth, the Lake Nona medical city is a beautiful area that they've pretty much created out of a huge emtpy land space. I want to move there myself as the developments are currently being built. I know an RN from Canada working here as a travel nurse who was offered a position here, but she laughed when she saw the pay cut she'd take from transitioning from the agency to the hospital. PM if you want some idea as to wages.

It was difficult, but worth it to get through it in a year and any nursing program is going to be tough. Although if I had the opportunity, I'd have gone to a state university accelerated BSN program to save on the $$$. If you plan on graduating and moving back home for a job, really consider staying in the Orlando area for at least another year where you can make connections while in clinicals or the teachers can make them for you. I'm convinced that I got my job because one of the teachers made some recommendations for me. Send me a PM if you have any specific questions.

Do it now, but look specifically for graduate nurse listings.

If it is like you said and you are respectful and non-demanding when you go to the ER, they're probably used to seeing you and the nursing staff likely won't give it a second thought. In fact, you'll probably be one of their favorite patients if you stay quietly in your room and all they have to do is draw some labs, dose you with pain meds and send you home/admit for observation. Some may be a little more righteous than others, but the majority just want to get through their day without too much craziness. The docs may be a little wary (they always are when it comes to pain meds).

I don't work for Winnie, but I guess the first question would be what kind of experience do you have and where have you worked? Where did you go to nursing school? I would agree that with nursing in this economy, it's who you know and not what you know that will get you in the door where you want to be. Of the people I started with at Orlando Health recently, a very large majority of us either did clinicals with OH with the opportunity to network with unit managers or worked as clin techs there. If you went to nursing school locally, did you keep in contact with any of your instructors (that may have contacts there)? Next, I don't know exactly what is required of an L&D nurse, but I believe it is a critical care area and WPH handles many at risk mothers/babies. If the facility you work for offers any education opportunities, take the initiative to get any training you can: critical care, ACLS, PALS, diabetes, etc. You've got 1.5yr experience, you can probably get a certification in your current area of experience soon. I know you said you have BSN, so that is good because WPH is going for magnet status and additional certifications are extremely valuable. Next, if you don't already work for OH, consider applying for a nursing position with OH that will allow you to get you foot in the door with the organization. You'd likely have to work in that area for a year to be able to transfer. OH does offer education opportunities that can show the organization that you're motivated. Lastly, if you've interviewed 5 times and not gotten the position, you must have the manager's name and contact info. Consider contacting them and asking them what would have made you a better candidate. If you sensed the interview went well, perhaps you were a great candidate, but someone else interviewed that 1- knew someone there, 2- had more relevant experience or training or 3- worked for the organization. Good luck!

At this point, especially in CA from what I hear, it is extremely difficult to get a job as a new nurse. As for the pay, they probably have plenty of people to choose from that will do the job for that pay rate, but they chose you, so that's good news. I say take the job and continue looking for nursing jobs you want while you're doing it. It will give you something to put on your resume and who says you can't leave when you find a position that you want. Good luck!

The current situation is rough. With ACA set to completely change hospital reimbursement, most are tightening their belts. I believe the big hospitals here are all on hiring freezes. Did you keep in touch with anyone you graduated with that got a job? Any contact with the unit you did your practicum on? Are you applying to every position available, or only to specific areas you're interested in? Apply to everything and consider moving to an underserved rural area for a year just to get training and that all important year of experience. Another thought would be to apply to a local university RN to BSN program that will allow you to network with educators that may have contacts in local hospitals. I say local instead of online, because it is likely that they will not give you face time with instructors that have worked in your area. Consider (if possible) getting a job as an aide/tech to get your foot in the door. Good luck.

Applying hardcore patho is something an NP (or PA, or physician) would be doing. A CRNA typically assists/manages anesthetized patients. I've known people who've gone to CRNA school and quit because it was boring. Same meds, same patient situations, etc. Others love it. Alot of my classmates were interested in CRNA, but they were motivated by $$. The best reason to go the CRNA route would be if you enjoy the work that a CRNA does. Either route, you'll be challenged on a daily basis and I wish you luck on your decision!

Be open to the possibility of moving within the state, even if it is only for a year or two to get some experience. I applied to a few positions, but I lucked out because one of my nursing instructors knew one of the recruiters in Orlando very well. Unfortunately, sometimes it really does come down to who you know. Were you able to make any good hospital contacts while in your clinicals/practicum? I personally don't think that showing up in person to drop off resumes helps, but I do think you should be applying for anything/everything available online. Take what you can get to start and typically after a year or so, you can move within organizations. Look specifically for new grad programs, most hospitals have them, but may only hire for them at certain times. Good luck!

What's your email address?

It's not always good when someone disagrees with you, but in this case, that's great! I only spoke of info for people I know (and that was about a year ago), but if people are getting job offers out of state right out of school, that can only be good for students. I'm glad to hear it.

Apologies for the wall of text... Your concerns are valid and I agree that the financial aspect is bad. I understand the frustration of not knowing what to expect and reading conflicting info all over the place. It is not true that people are not getting work because they went to RCON. People are not getting work out of state because no new grad nurses are getting work out of state (and possibly out of central florida). Don't deceive yourself, if you plan on graduating and moving back immediately to where ever you came from and getting a job as a hospital nurse, it won't happen unless you know someone there and even then, chances are slim. There is a nationwide experienced nursing shortage, but unless you have that experience, you will most likely not get hired at a hospital right away. If you are staying here in central florida post graduation, or you plan on staying here for at least a year to get some experience, you'll be fine. The hospitals here are hiring graduate nurses regularly and RCON students do get hired. Now, you may not get what you want right out of school, you may have to take what you can get to start, but after 6 months or a year, you can pretty much pick what you want to do. UCF, UF and USF students are dealing with the same conditions. All that being said, you are the most important factor in getting a job. If you slack off or are sloppy in your clinicals, don't count on getting a job here. If you have the time, finances, a current well paying job and good enough grades, apply to the state schools and see if you get in. There is a huge backlog and the entrance requirements are very competitive. At RCON, you're essentially paying extra to bypass all that. The staff has been great, my clinical instructors have been fantastic, and it'll all be done in a year. For me, it was worth it. For you, it may not be, that's for you to decide.

Don't count on getting into Florida state schools for post grad. UCF and UF are a definite no, I'd check if you're interested in others. I think Miami might be fine (private). Depends on how you learn best. Some need their laptops and take notes directly on the powerpoints, others take notes on slides, others take notes in notebooks. What works best for you? You don't need a laptop, unless you need it to learn. Plan on not doing anything for the first semester. It is likely that you won't be able to work. Lots of studying, a couple papers to write, not many assignments otherwise. You will spend lots of time in the lab for the first 6 weeks to learn techniques, then start clinical assignments. Congrats on getting in. Remington students have a good reputation with Orlando health, represent the school well.