Research Nurse
By EveryNurse Staff on January 12, 2023
A Research Nurse is a professional member of a research team who provides direct patient care for participants in clinical trials. In these studies, volunteers take part in activities related to medical testing and experiments that will help researchers understand more about human health and disease. The Research Nurse ensures that the patients’ rights, safety, and well-being are protected at all times.
The work of a Research Nurse is both challenging and rewarding. It requires specialized training in the medical field, as well as understanding research methods and state regulations pertaining to health studies. Nursing research also allows nurses to use their skills and knowledge at their fullest potential while improving people’s lives by advancing medicine.
What Is a Research Nurse?
A Research Nurse provides care and treatment for human participants involved in medical or scientific experiments or studies. They are responsible for monitoring the health and safety of patients under strict conditions of regulatory oversight, and for collecting and interpreting data for research purposes.
In this role, a Research Nurse must have excellent knowledge, technical skills, and understanding of the principles and practices of research that will ensure high standards of patient care. In addition to caring for patients, a Research Nurse will also be responsible for ensuring that compliance with ethical standards is maintained throughout the study.
What Does a Research Nurse Do?
The tasks and responsibilities of a Research Nurse will vary depending on the research objectives, nature of the study, and study protocols. A medical study may involve the testing and evaluation of new drugs and biological products, and a Research Nurse will be responsible for ensuring that these drugs are delivered safely to the participants. The Nurse will also monitor side effects or complications throughout the study, and document all relevant information related to medication administration.
A Research Nurse may also be involved in clinical trials that test health care procedures. For example, a new surgery may be evaluated to determine its effectiveness and safety. In this case, the Nurse will monitor patients following the surgery and collect data (such as vital signs) that can be used to evaluate outcomes of interest.
Research Nurse Job Description
- Conduct health screenings and tests to ensure that patients are clear of any disease or infection that might affect the study
- Prepare and monitor drug dosage levels and other treatments for participants in clinical trials
- Perform diagnostic tests and monitor participants’ health through regular assessments
- Observe participants for signs of improvement or decline, document any changes in health status, and provide clinical care where necessary
- Keep detailed records of all data obtained from patients including immediate patient reactions, side effects, and medical histories
- Ensure that all necessary safety protocols are followed during clinical trials
- Respond to emergencies and provide medical care as necessary
- Collaborate with the research team to ensure that trials and studies run smoothly and safely
- Supervise the work of other nursing staff, assistants, and volunteers
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Where Do Research Nurses Work?
Research nurses are primarily employed in a clinical research setting, such as dedicated clinical research units located in academic medical centers, research laboratories, pharmaceutical companies, hospitals, and medical research organizations. A clinical research nurse may also be part of a multidisciplinary team that forms the permanent healthcare infrastructure of a research unit that is made available to any researcher who is accessing a facility.
Other settings where clinical research nurses can find work include:
- Academic Research Centers
- Hospital Inpatient units
- Primary Care Facilities
- Long-Term Care Facilities
- Research and Development Settings
- Insurance Providers
- Home Healthcare Agencies
- Biotechnology Laboratories
Research Nurse Jobs
The research field is a growing area of healthcare that offers a diverse range of career opportunities. Many research nurses begin their careers as bedside nurses and then work toward gaining the knowledge and experience required to specialize in clinical research nursing. Depending on their specialty and career goals, skilled nurses fill a variety of different roles:
Clinical Research Nurse
A clinical research nurse is responsible for the delivery of patient care in clinical trials, which might involve nursing duties such as administering medications or other treatments (such as chemotherapy) and collecting data needed to determine the effectiveness of the treatment. They also ensure compliance with safety protocols throughout the course of a trial.
Clinical Research Coordinator
A clinical research coordinator ensures that a clinical trial runs smoothly. They are responsible for assigning tasks to nursing teams, organizing data collection, and following up on safety protocols. They will also help to educate and prepare participants for their roles in the trial, as well as develop systems to monitor and report trial progress and outcomes.
Research Nurse Supervisor
A research nurse supervisor is responsible for the day-to-day running of a clinical trial. They work closely with other members of the team to ensure that all aspects of the trial are progressing as planned. They are often responsible for determining which participants are eligible to participate in a study, evaluating participant progress, and ensuring compliance with safety protocols.
Research Nurse Practitioner
A research nurse practitioner is a registered nurse who has earned a master’s degree and additional certification in order to take on licensure as an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN). Research nurse practitioners will typically perform the duties of other nurses on the team, such as administering medications and collecting data. In addition, they may also serve as educators for participants and may provide expertise in the design of clinical trials, data analysis, and regulatory affairs.
Principal Investigator
The Principal Investigator (PI) is responsible for the overall management of the clinical trial. They are responsible for the preparation, conduct, and administration of the trial as well as for ensuring compliance with federal and institutional guidelines. A PI will typically serve as a member of the executive board that manages a clinical trial from beginning to end and will oversee the work of all research nurses involved.
A PI is ultimately responsible for ensuring that research objectives are achieved, as well as managing budgets and timelines. They may also be responsible for training, evaluating participant safety data, and determining which treatments to test in follow-up trials.
How to Become a Research Nurse
Clinical trials play a crucial role in the development of new drugs and other medical technologies that can improve health outcomes for patients and influence healthcare on a larger scale. The professionals who conduct these trials must have specialized knowledge in the field of medicine and in the intricacies of clinical research. In addition to being a registered nurse, nurses who work in this area usually have a master’s degree or a Ph.D. in nursing, medicine, biomedical science, or a related field.
Here, we explore the steps you can take to become a research nurse:
- Earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
- Pass the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN)
- Obtain a Registered Nurse License
- Gain at Least One Year of Experience in a Clinical Research Setting
- Earn a Master of Science in Nursing or Ph.D. in Nursing (Recommended))
- Obtain Certification as a Clinical Research Professional
1. Earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
Clinical research professionals come from a wide variety of backgrounds. They may have backgrounds in fields such as nursing, medicine, pharmacy, informatics, or biomedical science. However, a common foundation for all professionals in the field is a bachelor’s degree.
Research nurses will find that a Bachelor of Science in Nursing is best-suited to their long-term career goals. A BSN degree gives students a solid foundation in anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, medical ethics, and other areas of patient care that are essential for research nurses. Students in BSN programs also learn how to facilitate communication between healthcare providers and develop critical thinking skills that are highly transferrable to the clinical research setting.
2. Pass the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN)
Once you have earned your bachelor’s degree, the next step to becoming a research nurse is passing the NCLEX-RN. This test assesses the candidate’s knowledge of nursing procedures and practices, as well as their ability to provide patient care within the requirements of each state. The exam is administered by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN), which sets the exam’s content and establishes its standards.
3. Obtain a Registered Nurse License
After graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and passing the NCLEX-RN, your next step will be to apply for a license in the state where you want to work. The Board of Nursing in your state establishes the specific requirements for licensure and administers the process of licensure application and renewal.
In addition to the basic education and testing requirements that are uniform across all states, the state board will also require that you meet its additional criteria for licensure. These criteria are likely to include a criminal background check, drug test, and personal disclosures about any type of disciplinary action taken against the applicant for violations of federal or state laws.
4. Gain at Least One Year of Experience in a Clinical Research Setting
After receiving your bachelor’s degree and obtaining your RN license, it’s important to gain work experience in a clinical research setting to progress in your career. Obtaining professional experience at this stage of your career is crucial because it allows you to become familiar with the research environment and establish a foundation of clinical expertise that you can build on as your career progresses.
Obtaining clinical research experience will also help you meet the admissions requirements for graduate programs in nursing research. Many such programs require applicants to have at least one year of experience in a clinical setting before they will consider them for enrollment. Additionally, this work experience will help you meet the eligibility requirements for ACRP certification, which currently stands at 3,000 hours of professional experience in a clinical research setting.
5. Earn a Master of Science in Nursing or Ph.D. in Nursing (Recommended)
Earning a graduate-level nursing degree is not necessary in order to work in a clinical research setting. There are many RNs in the field who have made a successful career out of their bachelor’s degree alone. However, there are many benefits to pursuing post-graduate education in the form of a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or Ph.D. in Nursing (Ph.D.).
The primary benefit of pursuing either of these degrees is that it can help you qualify for advanced positions in the clinical research industry that require a master’s or doctorate degree as a minimum qualification. Roles such as Clinical Research Coordinator, Project Manager, or Principal Investigator all typically require a master’s degree or higher.
6. Obtain Certification as a Clinical Research Professional
Certification as a clinical research professional demonstrates that you have the professional expertise, educational preparation, skill, and abilities to ethically and safely perform clinical research. The two major certifying bodies for clinical research professionals are the Association for Clinical Research Professionals (ACRP) and the Society of Clinical Research Associates (SCRA).
Certification represents the industry’s most respected acknowledgment of clinical research competence and recognizes your commitment to the professional and ethical standards necessary for success in this highly regulated industry.
Research Nurse Salary
Research nurses are in high demand across the country, and average salaries reflect this. According to Salary.com, the average salary for a clinical research nurse is $88,305 per year and typically falls between $79,098 and $97,798. This average annual salary is approximately 10% higher than other registered nurses with similar educational backgrounds and experience.
| STATE | HOURLY MEAN WAGE * | ANNUAL MEAN WAGE * |
|---|---|---|
| Alaska | $47.59 | $98,990 |
| California | $47.42 | $98,636 |
| New Jersey | $46.93 | $97,630 |
| Massachusetts | $46.19 | $96,076 |
| Connecticut | $45.93 | $95,546 |
| New York | $45.55 | $94,751 |
| Washington | $45.34 | $94,310 |
| Rhode Island | $44.74 | $93,073 |
| Delaware | $44.57 | $92,720 |
| Hawaii | $44.57 | $92,649 |
| * Salary.com, Clinical Research Nurse Salary in the Unite States, November 2021 | ||
Additional Resources for Research Nurses
- Association of Clinical Research Professionals
- Council for the Advancement of Nursing Science
- Eastern Nursing Research Society (ENRS)
- Global Research Nurses
- International Association of Clinical Research Nurses (IACRN)
- Midwest Nursing Research Society (MNRS)
- National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR)
- Society of Clinical Research Associates (SOCRA)
- Southern Nursing Research Society (SNRS)
Clinical Research Nurse FAQ
According to Payscale.com, a clinical research nurse makes $72,272 per year. Like many nursing careers, years of experience is a factor that impacts pay. Location is another factor and one should consider factors like living costs. The salaries are generally lower than a clinical nursing role but find themselves working more predictable schedules.
Yes, this is one of the most exciting career paths for nurses. Clinical research nurses report greater job satisfaction per the research by Fawcett and McCulloch in 2014. This specialized career offers more predictable schedules and an opportunity to be part of an important step in the development of new treatments and cures to improve healthcare outcomes.
Clinical research nurses conduct research in clinical research units which include laboratories. This is a highly specific nursing career that requires work experience, an advanced degree focused on clinical research and trials, and board certification.
You must have an RN license and have a BSN degree. Typically, clinical research nurses have at least a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN). Many have a doctorate degree from an accredited institution.
Some research nurses work for a few years before enrolling in school to get their advanced degrees, while others become an RN and quickly enroll. The path to a research track is different. There are so many variables that make it difficult to follow a universal approach.
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