Nurse
The practice of clinical research nursing offers many career advancement opportunities , from undergraduate to advanced practice nursing ( Wallen and Fisher , 2018 ) ( Figure 2 ).
Figure 2 Nursing Career Paths in Clinical Science
From Wallen , G . R ., & Fisher , C . A . ( 2018 ).
As a nursing student , you can explore practicum opportunities to immerse yourself in the clinical research environment ; upon graduation , there are opportunities to join an organization as an entry-level CRN . As a graduate nurse , you may want to consider an organization with a nurse residency program , which has a structured framework to provide the knowledge , skills , and support to deliver safe , quality care ( White , Cosme , & Church , 2020 ). The NIH Clinical Center offers an evidence-based Clinical Research Nursing Residency Program that supports newly licensed graduate nurses in their transition from academia to professional practice and a career in clinical research nursing ( NIH Clinical Center , 2023c ). Graduate nurses entering a career in clinical research nursing at the NIH Clinical Center are hired as
24 NSNA Imprint full time , federal employees . It is important to note that career progression in this specialty is fluid ; a nurse does not need to go through each role step to have a robust clinical research career .
Conclusion
As a Clinical Research Nurse , your determination to provide compassionate , evidence-based nursing care while supporting the discovery of novel treatments will generate new knowledge , develop innovative practices , and make long-term differences in the lives of people all around the world , for generations to come ( NIH Clinical Center , 2023c ).
References
American Nurses Association and International Association for Clinical Research Nursing ( 2016 ). Clinical research nursing : Scope and standards of practice . Silver Spring , MD : ANA & IACRN .
Bloch , J . R ., & Smith Glasgow , M . E . ( 2023 ). Where are nurse-scientists ? Academic nursing research at critical crossroads . Nursing outlook , 71 ( 2 ), 101894 . https :// doi . org / 10.1016 / j . outlook . 2022.10.007
CRN 2010 Domain of Practice Committee 2009 . ( 2009 ). Building the Foundation for Clinical Research Nursing : Domain of Practice for the Specialty of Clinical Research Nursing . National Institutes of Health Clinical Center , Nursing and Patient Care Services . https :// clinicalcenter . nih . gov / sites / nihinternet / files / internet-files / nursing / crn / DOP _ document . pdf
Hastings , C . E .., Fisher , C . A ., McCabe ., M . A . ( 2012 ). Clinical research nursing : A critical resource in the national research enterprise . Nursing outlook , 60 ( 3 ), 149-156 . e3 . doi : 10.1016 / j . outlook . 2011.10.003 .
International Association of Clinical Research Nurses . ( 2012 ) Enhancing clinical research quality and safety through specialized nursing practice . Scope and Standards of Practice Committee Report . https :// iacrn . org /
National Institutes of Health . ( 2023 ). NIH clinical research trials and you . https :// www . nih . gov / health-information / nih-clinical-research-trials-you / glossarycommon-terms
NIH Clinical Center . ( 2023a ). About the clinical center . https :// clinicalcenter . nih . gov / about1 . html
NIH Clinical Center . ( 2023b ). NIH clinical center data report 2023 : Overview on 2022 activities . https :// clinicalcenter . nih . gov / sites / nihinternet / files / assets / about / pdf / 2023CCDataReport . pdf
NIH Clinical Center . ( 2023c ). Nursing at the NIH clinical center . https :// clinicalcenter . nih . gov / nursing / index . html
Wallen , GR ., & Fisher , CA . ( 2018 ). Clinical research nursing : A new domain of practice . In JI Gallin ., FP Ognibene , & LL Johnson ( Eds .) Principles and practice of clinical research , 4th edition ( pp . 671- 685 ). Elsevier .
White , M ., Cosme , S ., Church , C . ( 2020 ). Detecting the right fit : How an accredited nurse residency program can ease your transition to practice . American Nurses Credentialing Center Practice Transition Accreditation Program . https :// www . vumc . org / nurse-residency-program / sites / default / files / public _ files / Detectingthe-right-fit % 20of % 20a % 20Nurse % 20 Residency % 2Program . pdf
Bio
Melanie Mudd , MS , RN , NPD-BC , is a board-certified Nurse Educator at the National Institutes of Health Clinical Center in Bethesda , Maryland and the Coordinator of the NIH Clinical Research Nursing Residency Program .