research woes...

[strangeone]

Can anybody out there help me? I'm a registered nurse with about 3 years of professional experience. (Divided equally between med-surg and dialysis (acute.) I've recently accepted a position as a study coordinator at a clinic that specializes in osteoporosis research. They are currently involved in several studies of various drugs for the treatment of osteoporosis. I have no experience as a study coordinator and most of my experience in nursing has been of the "hands-on" variety. Does anybody out there have any good advice as to how I should get started in this fairly overwhelming new area of practice? My co-workers have been very helpful in allowing me to observe their day to day activities, but have been unable to provide me with any kind of specific knowledge as to what my duties are and how I should go about finding what I need. I have no clue, seriously. Can anybody out there help?