How to Be Research Nurse - Job Description, Skills, and Interview Questions

Dec 17, 2021 / 5 Minutes Read / By Albert

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The number of research nurses has been increasing steadily in response to the growing demand for clinical research studies. This has resulted in a higher quality of care for research participants and a reduction in the time and cost associated with conducting research studies. Research nurses provide a vital link between the medical and research teams, ensuring that protocols are followed and that participants receive the best possible care.

In addition, research nurses are often responsible for collecting data, monitoring progress, and providing feedback to the research team. As the demand for clinical research continues to grow, the need for qualified research nurses will also increase, leading to improved patient outcomes and better care for those participating in research studies.

Steps How to Become

Obtain a Bachelor's Degree. Research nurses typically need to have a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree. Courses in the program include anatomy, physiology, pharmacology and psychology.
Become Licensed. All nurses must be licensed by their state in order to practice. The licensing requirements vary by state but usually involve passing the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN).
Earn a Master's Degree. Some research nurses may choose to earn a master's degree in nursing. This is not required, but it can give them an edge in the job market and increase their earning potential.
Gain Clinical Experience. Research nurses usually need to have experience working in a clinical setting. This can be done through an internship or through work as a registered nurse (RN).
Get Certified. Some research nurses choose to get certified through the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). This can help them stand out from the competition and demonstrate their knowledge in the field.
Find a Research Position. Research nurses can find positions in hospitals, universities, pharmaceutical companies and other research organizations. They may need to apply for positions and go through an interview process.
Stay Up-To-Date. Research nurses must stay up-to-date on any new developments or technology related to their field. They may need to attend conferences, seminars or other events to stay current.

Staying ahead and capable in a research nurse role requires a combination of hard work, dedication and the ability to stay organized. Hard work involves staying up to date on the latest research and advancements in the field, as well as actively participating in clinical trials and other research activities. Dedication to ones role is essential, as it takes considerable time and effort to become proficient in the research nurse role.

Finally, staying organized is key to success, as it allows for efficient management of patient records, research results and other important documents. By combining these three elements, a research nurse can stay ahead of their peers and remain capable of performing their job at the highest level of quality.

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Job Description

Collect, document, and monitor patient data.
Administer medications and treatments.
Provide patient education and support during clinical trials.
Work with a team of health care professionals to design, implement, and evaluate research protocols.
Prepare and review research reports and summaries.
Participate in research conferences and meetings.
Analyze results of clinical studies and make recommendations for changes to protocols and procedures.
Assess patient eligibility for study participation.
Monitor patient progress during clinical trials.
Maintain records of research projects and data collection activities.

Skills and Competencies to Have

Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
Ability to work independently and in teams
Knowledge of basic medical terminology
Research experience and knowledge of research protocols
Knowledge of regulatory standards related to research
Ability to analyze and interpret data
Computer literacy (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, etc. )
Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously
Ability to work within tight deadlines
Excellent organizational skills
Detail-oriented
Problem solving ability
Knowledge of medical ethics and patient confidentiality
Ability to effectively document patient information
Knowledge of laboratory techniques and practices

Research nurses play a crucial role in the development of new treatments and therapies. Their ability to combine research, clinical judgement and patient care is essential for the success of any medical research project. One of the most important skills for a research nurse is the ability to effectively communicate with both medical professionals and patients.

Research nurses must be able to explain complex medical information in a clear, concise manner that is easily understandable to patients. They must also possess excellent critical thinking skills and be able to work effectively as part of a larger research team. Furthermore, research nurses must have a strong understanding of patient rights and confidentiality, as well as the ethical implications of conducting research studies.

When these skills are combined, research nurses are in an ideal position to provide valuable insights into medical research and help improve patient care.

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Frequent Interview Questions

What motivated you to pursue a career in research nursing?
What experience do you have with conducting clinical trials and research studies?
How do you stay up to date on the latest developments in research nursing?
What techniques do you use to ensure patient safety during clinical trials?
Describe a successful research project you have led in the past.
How do you use data analysis and research findings to inform your practice?
What challenges have you faced while conducting research and how did you overcome them?
How do you ensure accurate data collection and data entry during a clinical trial?
How do you collaborate with other healthcare professionals to ensure successful clinical trials?
What strategies do you use to ensure patient compliance with clinical trial protocols?

Common Tools in Industry

Electronic Medical Records (EMR) Software. EMR software allows research nurses to capture and store patient data electronically and securely. (eg: Epic Systems)
Clinical Trial Management System (CTMS). CTMS software helps to manage and track clinical trials. It helps to manage patient recruitment and data management. (eg: Oracle Clinical)
Research Data Management Software (RDMS). RDMS software helps research nurses to organize, store, and analyze the collected data. (eg: REDCap)
Clinical Protocol Management Software. Protocol Management Software helps research nurses to create and manage clinical trial protocols. (eg: Oracle Protocol Builder)
Regulatory Document Management Software. Regulatory Document Management Software allows research nurses to store, track, and manage regulatory documents related to clinical trials. (eg: Veeva Vault Clinical)
Patient Recruitment Software. Patient Recruitment Software helps research nurses to identify, contact, and recruit potential participants for clinical trials. (eg: ClinicalTrials. gov)
Electronic Patient Reported Outcome Software (ePRO). ePRO software helps research nurses to collect patient reported outcomes in real-time and securely. (eg: InForm)
Clinical Data Visualization Software. Clinical Data Visualization Software helps research nurses to visualize data in a meaningful way. (eg: Tableau)

Professional Organizations to Know

American Association of Nurse Research (AANR)
American Nurses Association (ANA)
Sigma Theta Tau International (STTI)
National Institutes of Health (NIH)
Society of Clinical Research Associates (SOCRA)
Association of Clinical Research Professionals (ACRP)
American College of Clinical Research Nurses (ACCN)
Association of periOperative Registered Nurses (AORN)
Association of Womens Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses (AWHONN)
International Clinical Trials Nurses Association (ICTNA)

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Common Important Terms

Clinical Research. Clinical research is the study of medical treatments, tests, drugs, and other interventions on human subjects in order to determine their safety and efficacy.
Protocols. Protocols are a set of written procedures that describe how a clinical trial should be conducted and monitored.
Institutional Review Board (IRB). An Institutional Review Board is responsible for ensuring the ethical and legal standards of any clinical trial.
Informed Consent. Informed consent is the process of providing potential research subjects with detailed information about a study before they decide to participate.
Data Collection. Data collection is the process of gathering and analyzing data from research subjects in order to draw meaningful conclusions from the research.
Data Analysis. Data analysis is the process of examining, transforming, and modeling data in order to uncover patterns and draw meaningful conclusions from the research.
Quality Assurance. Quality assurance is a set of processes and procedures for ensuring that the research data is accurate and reliable.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the essential duties of a Research Nurse?

The essential duties of a Research Nurse include monitoring clinical trial participants, providing patient education, collecting and organizing data, and collaborating with the research team to ensure safe and effective clinical outcomes.

What qualifications are required for a Research Nurse?

To become a Research Nurse, individuals must have a valid nursing license, experience in clinical settings, and training in research methods.

What type of environment does a Research Nurse typically work in?

Research Nurses typically work in clinical research centers, hospitals, or academic healthcare institutions.

How does a Research Nurse collect data?

Research Nurses typically collect data by conducting assessments of the clinical trial participants, administering surveys and questionnaires, and recording patient information into a database.

How is a Research Nurse's work monitored?

The work of a Research Nurse is monitored by the principal investigator of the research study, who is responsible for ensuring that the research is conducted safely and ethically.