research nursing info. please.

[falcon]

I've been working as a nurse for about 20yrs now and am getting very burnt out. I've done mostly L&D/level 3 NSY and use to love my job, but in the last year or so am just starting to hate it. I think I just need a huge break from the intense pace of patient care. Has anyone experienced this? I've thought about research nursing, but can't find much information about how to get into this field. Does anyone work in this or any nonpatient care setting in the hospital and how do you like your job. I figure I have to last another 20yr before retirement.

[bporter1]

Hello! I'm not a nurse, but used to work in our hospital's IRB Office and interacted with Nurse Research Coodinators on a daily basis. The ones who were successful were detail-oriented, organized, had good written communication skills and could handle all the necessary paperwork. Much of their jobs dealt with documenting study procedures and adverse events for the sponsoring Pharm company/ies. Being proficient at multi-tasking seemed key, as well.

The Coordinators who weren't as sucessful as Research Nurses were the ones who really enjoyed/preferred patient contact and interaction, and helping people in general. They missed patients and would get frustrated at the seemingly nit-picky and demanding documentation requirements (and they *are* demanding and nit-picky!). There were several nurses who "wanted a change," became Study Coordinators and went back to floor nursing because they missed their patients.

I would suggest you consider spending some time shadowing a Nurse Research Coordinator, if possible. It can be an interesting and rewarding job for those nurses who are cut out for it!

Best of luck!!

[falcon]

Thanks for the advice. That's a great idea!

[pattymac]

The above response is really a good one. Decide which profile you fit and then go from there. It's not a bed of roses, but I love it...but then I'm all the things the other poster said! I do, however, have lots of patient contact, but I work in a large research center. Feel free to PM me if you want more info.

[falcon]

Thanks so much for the reply. I would like more info on Research Nursing if you have time. I would like to know what interested you to go into it, what kind of degree you need to have. How did you get your first job and what exactly do you do. What would your normal day look like. I haven't found too much info on the job description. The job listings for Research Nursing here required experience in oncology and involved IV starts and lab draws. It sounds like from your post you mostly document? I've tried to look up Research Nursing courses on the internet without success. I'm just so glad to finally find someone who actually works in this field.

Thanks!:)