Clinical research is not usually an elective in a school's nursing program, but this is an exciting part of nursing. This is where the most creative and original ideas are derived from working alongside other nurses who are passionate about giving the best possible care. Nurses who find they are always thinking of a better way to give care truly find this field to be the most challenging and rewarding.
Nurses who want to apply for clinical research jobs should first have a great knowledge of current nursing procedures. It is often the nurse who solely attends to the patient and develops a one-on-one relationship with those who are critically ill or those who are regular visitors to the hospital setting. Although the term ''clinical research nurse'' sounds removed from the current day-to-day nursing profession, it's really not. A clinical research nursing job takes the prevalent nursing practices and updates them for each patient since each person admitted into a hospital needs a different amount of care.
Nurses who find that the procedures suggested for a patient are not helping the patient often suggest a better way. This is paramount in learning about clinical research nursing jobs. A nurse, through his or her academic classes, will be exposed to clinical research, but only a small part is focused on during that time. Those nurses who possess a great skill on a grander level often find this type of career choice gives them satisfaction in helping other nurses achieve the best level of care, but also in giving the patients their best too.
The qualifications to become a CRN include a degree or diploma from an accredited nursing program in the United States. Nurses must have a current and active nursing license in the state in which they reside. If a nurse is seeking employment as a CRN in a field beyond what he or she has currently been working in, a six-month to one-year period is expected to be taken into consideration before research can begin. Nurses who already have the experience can obtain undergraduate credit from their university pending approval from their employer.
Many nurses who find that they are gravitating towards this career change might find their work ethic is removed from day-to-day patient care. Here they may begin to experience the more daunting task of clinical paperwork. Nurses should use this time to re-evaluate their skills in clinical research and use that time to help those nurses who are just beginning their nursing career. A nurse that has time to research and implement current procedures and who can find creative ways to enhance patient care will find their careers to be the most valuable.
There are levels of clinical research nursing that begin with those who are entry-level, to doing research regarding procedures, to those nurses who are senior level. The ongoing research aspect is often the reason why new and modern procedures in medicine are implemented and practiced. It takes those who are willing to question current procedures and create a new level of care. This is always done in conjunction with the current nursing staff and administration.
Often times, a clinical research nursing job will consist of a nurse working alongside other nurses. As they gain their knowledge, CRNs will document current procedures and note where changes could be made. Nurses are always discovering new ways to treat patients, and having somebody present who works in the trenches with them is a welcomed, trusted associate. Although CRNs spends a fair amount of time observing, they are still considered one of the team and will help when needed.
The role of a CRN often parlays into a supervisory role. The nurses who work closely with the CRN develop a kinship that helps solidify a great working team. A CRN should not be seen as an outsider who is there to make sure everybody is just following procedure, but rather gives nurses an outlet to offer positive change in patient care. Sometimes change is not necessary; a CRN must recognize this and move on to another area of nursing where policy and procedures need to be modernized.
Clinical research nursing jobs consist of clear communication between those the CRNs work with and those who work above them. The CRN is the sole person who starts projects and who reports the findings to those in administration. This position requires a great deal of responsibility and tenacity. Those seeking this type of nursing profession often become leaders and innovators in their chosen field.
