nikkijay

Thanks for responding. Yes, this sub-speciality within nursing is small indeed. BSN programs do not allow this focus, but graduate level programs do allow for this type of training (such as UPenn, UW, UCLA), and there are fellowships that APNs can apply for to gain more KSAs in the biological sciences to allow them to conduct basic research. Each biological research nurse that I've found so far utilizing the Journal of Biological Research for Nursing has an advanced degree, and according to their CVs, started in nursing and then moved into research rather than the other way around. All also maintained licensure and certifications to practice. I've run other searches for biological/biomedical research in nursing on this forum, and the responses have pretty much been the same as what was provided here. Unfortunately, most people aren't aware of this sub-speciality, and that's understandable, because it's still very small. Given the size of the field and the lack of common information, I think I'm better off investigating on my own. Thanks again.

Can we start off with the understanding that people unfamiliar with biomedical/biological research in nursing shouldn't have bothered to respond? I didn't actually ask for a suggestion, and given that you clearly have no knowledge of biological/biomedical research in nursing, it is clear that you aren't qualified to give one. And of course, not knowing anything about biological/biomedical research in nursing, it is clear that you would think it unrealistic. So the real question is, knowing that you were not knowledgeable of the field, why you would bother to offer an opinion on its feasibility? Oh, and being the grammar nazi that I am, the appropriate word is "nothing," not none. My remark was not snide in the least (dictionary nazi coming out). The one I gave above? Definitely. Imagine how I feel with a thread full of posters that haven't a clue what I'm referring to and yet still feel qualified to provide suggestions as to what I should do. And not only that, but seem to think they have enough information to tell me my fate in the nursing field based upon the minuscule information provided and anecdotal evidence. Should I be cheery about that? There were a few that admitted that they weren't sure and advised me to talk to other people. Smart thinking. I get wanting to provide information, but how relevant is that information when you don't know what you're talking about? The responses should have been (a) I don't know any nurses conducting basic/biomedical research and (b) I don't know anything about this area of nursing, so I can't provide a credible opinion. Anything beyond those responses should have been based in knowledge of the field, and if you didn't have that knowledge, you shouldn't have responded. Not nice, but at least it's honest. Best wishes.

And yet, I'm not supposed to perceive condescension from your posts?

The advice given doesn't appear to come from a place that is knowledgeable about what I'm trying to do. So, I can take the advice of the people on this board or the people I've spoken with...I'm going with those I've spoken with that are advanced practitioners. Not sure I see the harm in that.

Thanks for responding. I should back up and explain myself. When I refer to nursing as medicine, I am referring to advanced practice (nurse practitioner). In that role, one does indeed practice medicine to an extent (or, for a family NP, flat out medicine), and not just nursing, as is my understanding from the nurse practitioners that I have so far spoken with (including those that have been treating me for years). It's more an amalgamation of the two fields. I do understand that they are separate fields, though very interconnected in that they rely upon each other. My comment regarding being talked down to stemmed from the comment that attempted to tell me that I didn't need what I asked for and then attempted to state what it was that I needed instead. I can honestly admit that I did not appreciate that comment, as I am not a child that does not know what she wants. Yes, that did make me a bit hostile, as I perceived condescension in the post. I feel that same tone in this last post, but it's irrelevant at this point. This idea that I either have to be a nurse or a scientist and that they are mutually exclusive is understandable, but with the expansion that the nursing field is making into basic research, not 100% accurate anymore. And I think a lot of the responses that I've received are based on the erroneous notion that this still holds true...and it doesn't. I found an entire journal detailing the biologic research that nurses, both RNs and advanced practice, are doing, which is exactly what I'd like to do. There is also a segment of the NINR under the NIH that deals specifically with nurses that conduct biological research. Nobody answered the first question, which is fine, as it's been extremely difficult to find information on my own, given that the number of nurses doing biological research is still very small. I got many answers for the second question, and with the new information that I've found, I've come to my own conclusions about the feasibility of my endeavors. So, thanks for taking the time to respond, and I'll be moving forward along my path. Best wishes.

Thanks for responding. I lumped nurses into medicine because I think it is an extremely valuable and irreplaceable aspect of medicine, not because I think less of it. I don't believe doctors would be able to do what they do without the nurses that work with them, as I've learned through my own medical experiences and from the experiences of those around me. I don't see nurses as lower on the rung...which is why I don't believe that nurses have to be limited in scope of practice. The field is expanding, and what I'm seeking to do is actually already being done, and I'd just like to be a part of that expansion. I think nurses offer a lot that goes unnoticed, and it would be awesome to be a part of showing the world just how vital nurses are. I actually think that saying nursing is a health care profession while stating that physicians are the only ones that practice medicine minimizes the roles of nurses in medicine. Just my point of view, but I do appreciate you responding.

Thanks for taking the time to respond. I disagree with you, but then, I know more about myself and my goals than I've taken the time to share here. I'm not worried about time, as I'm well aware of the extensive length of time it will take for me to accomplish this goal. It's not going to be easy, but I've already taken the easy road, and I'm not happy with it. However, I am going about this smartly by speaking directly with practitioners in the field and meeting with academic advisors. I also have several job shadowing opportunities set up so that I can see first hand what nurses and doctors do rather than walking into the field blind. From what I've seen so far, nursing is where I want to be. I'll use the experiences that I'm having now and in the near future to make a final determination. Thanks again!

Thanks for taking the time to respond :) Yes, most nursing research is geared to improving patient outcomes, community health/prevention, etc, which isn't exactly what I'm looking for...interesting, but not of particular interest to me. I've posted a link to a journal that is solely for nurses doing biological research (pathophysiology would be included in that as cellular/molecular and microbiologic research), which is exactly what I'd like to do. It's just a very small field right now, so I'm sure it'll be tough, but knowing that there are others that have accomplished this task, I feel a lot more hopeful. Thanks!

Was so excited to find the Journal of Biological Research for Nursing (http://www.sagepub.com/upm-data/2678_1BRN00_.pdf). I'm feeling infinitely more hopeful now that I know that there are biological nurse researchers out there, even if the field is still relatively small. Biological nurse researchers are also a small (but growing) component of the NINR (part of NIH). Just for those that have the same interests as I; there are a few other threads on this topic, so hopefully, those other posters will find this information helpful.

I appreciate that you all took the time to respond; I think the information that I'm looking for is best provided by advanced practitioners and researchers in the field. I realize that what I'm trying to do is virtually unheard of, and those most likely was not the best avenue through which to gather information. Thanks again.

Please read carefully: "However, in conjunction with that, I would love to work directly with patients, caring and treating them. "

Nursing is medicine...I'm not really sure where you were going with that statement. I'm quite aware of the hard road ahead of me, so I don't really need to be spoken to like a child off on a wild goose chase. What I would like to do is clearly not something that is being done frequently, but I won't allow that to stop me. Thanks.

Thanks for responding. I've got quite a bit of searching to do yet. So far, I'm not quite finding what I'm looking for...there was a poster here that stated that one of her nursing professors worked in basic research. She hasn't posted since, however, so I'm not sure how to get more information about that from her.

Thanks for your response. My comment referred specifically to nurses that are PIs. Of the few that I've been able to find, all were leading research, but it wasn't their own work. A person can be the PI for a study without it being his/her research; I prefer not to run another person's study.

Hi all! I'm still caught in a heavy debate with myself over going into nursing. I do want to be a medical practitioner, but I would also like to be a medical researcher. To be more specific, I'm very much interested in physiopathology and pathophysiology and would love a chance to work in a lab, learning more about disease processes at the cellular/molecular level and then applying that information to develop new treatments that interrupt the disease process (rather than just treating the symptoms). However, in conjunction with that, I would love to work directly with patients, caring and treating them. From what I've been able to find, the primary group able to complete both of these tasks are MDs, and within that group, MD/PhDs complete the bulk of the research. While that could possibly be an option for me, it would be an extensively long, expensive, non-income producing road, as my current degrees are all in mental health/human services. I'm not interested in being an MD, solely because of the reduced level of interaction between practitioners and patients. Nursing allows for the establishment of relationships, which I feel enhances medical treatment plan adherence, as well as eases the stress/fear that comes along with needing medical treatment. Oh, I guess I should say that I'm very interested in chronic illness/internal medicine. I guess what I'm wondering is: (a) Are any of you aware of nurses (advanced practice) that conduct biomedical research? If so, what degrees/training do they have and what which schools? (b) Does it seem even remotely possible to be a medical scientist and a nurse? I've been reading a lot about nurses and research and recently came an article that discussed nurse principal researchers, and while they are very few in number, they are definitely out there. I figure, if nurses can lead medical research, how much of a leap would it be to actually conduct it? Any information that anybody can say would be greatly appreciated!