What do you like about being a research nurse?

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I would like to hear from some research nurses as to what they like about being a research nurse? Do you find clinical trials interesting? Is this area of nursing rewarding to you? Thanks! :)

Specializes in Infectious Disease, Neuro, Research.
kmoone1 said:
Hey everyone,

I am a new ADN grad. I am having trouble finding a job and am thinking that going back to school might help me along the way. I have been interested in nursing research since I began in an LPN program. I have no experience in research but would love to work with some type of cancer research. Most colleges that I have looked at offer the usual NP, nurse midwifery, etc courses. Those don't seem like the options I need, but I have yet to see any kind of option for research education? Does anyone have any ideas as to how to get started or where to look?

If you are in Oklahoma, PM me, and we'll see if we can get you hooked up with a job.;)

There is little in the way of non-OJT training for research. Oklahoma City Community College is one of a handful of CCs in the country that started an Assosciate Degree in Research program. Pre-reqs are the same as the RN program, with the core courses being research specific, with 2 final semester internships.

Do you need another degree? I would say not. From the nursing perspective, Research is a whole lotta documentation and record keeping; beyond that, as a Coordinator, you would have responsibilities including drafting study documents, contract and budget negotiation, invoicing, data collection/entry, report filing, etc.. As an ADN you can apply for a Coordinator, Research Assistant, or Research RN position, generally. Pay varies, depending on who you work for, and experience.

Edit: Generally, the best places to start looking are state universities; you can also look up "Research" in the yellow pages, and start looking at websites & making calls.

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Rob72,

You and I have chatted in the past. I am the nurse who is working the floor of a Research IPU with the LSW who is the manger....and thinks she knows everything there is to know about nursing. I hope you do recall.

I have something else that I would like your input about, if I may.

A little history: before I was a nurse(20 years ago) I was in the Army and obtaine da Business Management degree. Through my nursing years I have helped places I worked for with Marketing and Recuitement(i was an Army recruiter at one point). So, I have marketing, recruiting experience.

My current employer has solliciated me to fill a newly created Marketing Director position. Roles will be the typical marketing through TV, Paper, Social Media...etc, etc.....with the greatest emphasis on POS, Point of Sales....direct to the potential Subject direct. But of course one needs all those secondary markets too imporve the POS.

Anyhow, this employer has been outpt only, until recently when they opend the IPU....filing these beds has been difficult. So, they have determined the needs for this position.

The market here is not touched...being both the oupt and IPU are the only type of research of this kind in a 3 state area.

Have you had an experience with this partof research? of know of anyone whom has? I do know that this will change somewhat from region to region.

If you would have ANY incite into this I would greatly appreciate ANY infomation you may have to offer.

My email is [email protected]

if you prefer to contact me directly.....thanks in advance.

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Hi ya all,

Am I the only one that likes to do chart reviews. It is so hard to find these positions

I just want to do reviews. I had been doing them for 1 1/2 yrs. I loved it. But now

there is no positions out there in the Pinellas or Hillsboro County. I'd even consider

Pasco County for the right price. Anyony know any of these jobs? I don't want to

say I'm disabled, but after 36 yrs in nursing... I'm tired. So can anyone understand

and please let me know if you hear of these types of jobs. Thanks :nurse:

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We have chart reviewers at our hospital. They are called documentation specialist. They saved the hosp over 500k in the first six months. They primarily make sure the doctors are documenting according to drgs. Did they have this or that... Check into it! They are typically under the case management umbrella. Good luck!

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Specializes in Nursing Education, Research, ENT, Oncology.

I love it! Very interesting work, especially in phase I studies. I am in hematology-oncology. We are hiring! I need another research nurse and another clinical research coordinator in my group. We are in Kansas City at KUMC. Contact me today for details...you need a CCRC (or willing to test and obtain it) and have a minimum of an associate's degree but we prefer BSN and MSN.

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I have my BS in Biology, and will be going for my BSN (accelerated this Fall)...I'm just curious how hands on nurses are during the research.

Also, is it out of the realm of possibility that an RN will go on to get a PhD and actually conduct the research? I've always had such a passion for cognitive sciences, behavioral neuroscience, genomics, proteomics, and I feel like being a research RN will only be a daily tease of that passion!

I do however love the idea of knowing the drugs, protocol, patient education etc...

Any advice you guys are able to offer me is greatly appreciated.

I'm currently working in an Andrology lab in a reproductive medicine practice, so I feel like this will be pertinent experience if/when I pursure a career in research (either as an RN or Researcher).

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Specializes in Clinical Research, Outpt Women's Health.

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Specializes in Clinical Research, Outpt Women's Health.

You have a great mix of hands on and hands off. Love it! The duties vary greatly depending on the setting you work in.

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I'm happy to finally have found this thread topic. Would just like to say thank you for all your inputs about clinical research nurse. I'm currently working as a bedside nurse in a LTC facility, have also experience working in med-surg and step-down ICU. However, I would like to step out of bedside nursing and move into another path but still within the nursing field. Research nursing is one of those that I'm interested in. The tips on where we can find jobs in this position are very helpful. I have a BSN degree but no experience in clinical research. I'm hoping I can break into this area soon. Just have a question though, if I take a Master's Degree in Nursing eventually and would want to still be in research, what specific area do you recommend to specialized in a MSN degree for research? Would a MSN degree in NP or Clinical Nurse Specialist help?

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One more question, does research nursing require a lot of field work or does it depend on what organization and position you're working for? Thanks!

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Did any of the nurses here attend a nursing program that actually specialized in some kind of research skills?

Also thanks all for the feedback, was definitely useful!

I am trying to decide if going through with an Entry level MSN program would be advantageous to my career goal in research. Would love to find any ABSN or ELMSN program that specializes in research if anyone knows of any.

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