As nurses work with patients of all kinds at the bedside, they begin to see how patient care could be improved. Whether through new mobility techniques, new medications, novel vaccines, or ground-breaking procedures, research nurses help push medical care to new heights and capabilities.
Research nurses, also known as clinical nurse researchers, typically have advanced degrees and work with a research team made up of professionals from all aspects of medicine and science. Because they have worked with patients face-to-face, research nurses know how to speak with potential research participants in a manner that puts them at ease and can help translate the goals of any study into layman’s terms. As such, nurses make an invaluable addition to any research team.
Where Do Research Nurses Work?
Research nurses can work all over the healthcare world, in settings like:
Government agencies
International health organizations
Medical clinics
Medical research organizations
Medication manufacturing
Not-for-profit foundations
Pharmaceutical companies
Universities
Nurses who pursue research positions can choose from a number of different types:
Clinical Research Nurse: treats patients directly by administering trial medications and treatments and recording results.
Clinical Research Coordinator: coordinates an entire clinical trial from top to bottom to ensure it runs smoothly.
Research Nurse Supervisor: monitors each member of a research team to ensure goals are met and also serves as a resource for the team.
Principal Investigator: typically an executive board member, ensures the trial maintains compliance with government and institutional guidelines.
Many research nurses will spend their days in an office, analyzing data and performing administration tasks. Some may spend at least part of their time at the bedside, interviewing patients or even providing some care.
What Does a Research Nurse Do?
Research nurses assist in conducting detailed, evidence-based research. This can involve patient contact but doesn’t have to. Research studies fall under two categories: quantitative and qualitative.
Quantitative research is objective, producing quantifiable results through large sample sizes and measurable variables like blood pressure readings or rates of infection. Because their results are mathematical, they can be peer-reviewed.
Qualitative research, on the other hand, is more subjective. A qualitative research study relies on in-depth interviews and close observation of subjects. Questionnaires and focus groups are two common tools used in these studies. Qualitative research in the medical arena usually falls into one of these categories:
Monitoring adherence to study rules by participants
Obtaining informed consent from study participants
Ordering and cataloging study supplies
Providing education to study participants
Recording questionnaire answers from clinical trial participants
Reporting research findings at conferences or meetings
Training new research staff
Writing grant applications for study funding
Writing research reports for medical journals
Some studies require a lot of patient interaction on the part of research nurses, and others need none. Research nurses can choose exactly how much patient interaction they’d like and pursue the research path that fits those desires.
How Do I Become a Research Nurse?
Aspiring research nurses must first graduate from an accredited nursing program with an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). An ADN typically takes two years to complete, while a BSN takes four years. However, some programs offer an accelerated option for either that can be finished in as little as a year. After graduation, nurses may apply for nursing jobs as graduate nurses (GNs).
Many facilities hire GNs to do their training under a nurse preceptor while they prepare to take their state licensing exam: the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN). After passing the NCLEX, nurses can practice independently as registered nurses (RNs) once they finish their facility’s orientation. It’s important for nurses to gain some experience at the bedside before they enter the research arena. Patient care experience gives nurses the background knowledge they need to conduct top-notch research.
Nurses may apply for research positions at any time in their careers, but having different types of experience can help them be more attractive to potential employers. If a nurse also has experience as a research assistant, clinical research monitor, or clinical data collector, they may have an easier time finding a research nurse position.
Many research teams require their nurses to have advanced degrees. After a few years at the bedside, nurses can return to school to earn a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP). An MSN can be finished in two years, but nurses may also take longer if they want to continue working full-time during the program. A DNP degree may take anywhere from one to four years to complete, but the timing is variable per a nurse’s preference.
3,000 hours of verifiable work experience as a clinical research professional OR
1,500 hours of verifiable work experience and a clinical research degree
How Much Does a Research Nurse Make Per Year?
According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), RNs earn an average of $81,220 per year as of 2022. However, the BLS puts medical scientists – which includes research nurses – at an annual average of $110,670. This amount can vary depending on your work setting and the cost of living in the area. The low-end average is $58,190, and the high-end is $170,260. Depending on where you work, your employer may be able to offer higher or lower compensation:
Scientific Research and Development Services: $121,210
General Medical and Surgical Hospitals: $95,940
Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools: $80,320
Medical and Diagnostic Laboratories: $102,280
Pharmaceutical and Medicine Manufacturing: $111,720
Salaries also vary depending on which state a research nurse practices. California and some New England and Southwest states may pay their nurses the best, but they also have a higher cost of living. The lowest paying states are in the Midwest and some southeastern states.
Research nurses’ pay goes up with each certification and advanced degree they earn. In general, the more experience and proof of expertise, the more a research nurse will be able to earn.
Are Research Nurses in High Demand?
As with many other professional areas, clinical research took a big hit during COVID. With non-essential personnel put on the sidelines during 2020 and even 2021, many research projects were put on hold. But now, the research game is ramping back up and nurses in this specialty can find plenty of opportunities. The BLS predicts that medical scientists should see career growth of 17% between 2021-2031, so the near future looks bright for this career field.
Additional Resources About Becoming a Research Nurse
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