NURSE RESEARCHER OF THE YEAR
Maria H. Medeiros, RN, BSN
Research Nurse for the Lifespan Cancer
Institute at Rhode Island Hospital
HOW DID YOU GET INTO NURSING?
My aunt had epilepsy and as a child I was taught to take care of her if
she had a seizure when no one else was home. So, I guess taking care
of people is something I grew up with and is something that comes
naturally to me.
WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE PART ABOUT BEING A NURSE RESEARCHER?
I work on the phase one clinical trial team, which involves new drugs
that are being given to humans for the first time. I work with an amazing
group of people and, of course, I love my patients. I have been doing this
for some time and have seen drugs become FDA-approved based on
data from studies I have worked on. It is satisfying knowing I was a part
of that.
WHAT DO YOU WISH MORE PEOPLE KNEW ABOUT
YOUR ROLE AS A NURSE RESEARCHER?
While I’m involved in research, I’m still a real nurse, just in a different
capacity. There are so many things we do behind the scenes to get
patients onto a clinical trial. It’s a very complicated job; you aren’t dealing
with only one research protocol or sponsor, you’re juggling many at the
same time that have different eligibility criteria, medications and
procedures. We triage our patients, manage their medications and side
effects, schedule appointments for treatment, bloodwork and doctor’s
visits — everything required of patients while on a study, all while
following the strict guidelines that govern research patients or patients
in general. It is not an easy job, but it can be very satisfying.
Science-driven healthcare
Graduate Degree Programs
• Master of Science
• Doctor of Nursing Practice
• Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)
• Post-Masters Certificate
Nurse Practitioner Tracks
• Family Nurse Practitioner
• Adult Gerontological Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
• Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Enhance your skills; expand your opportunities.
uri.edu/nursing
Licensure Disclosure
In accordance with the 2019 Reauthorization of the Higher Education Act, URI hereby discloses only that the curriculum for this
program meets the educational requirements for licensure as an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse in the State of Rhode Island.
The applicable licensing board in Rhode Island may impose additional requirements on candidates prior to granting a license,
and we encourage you to investigate those requirements. URI has not determined whether the curriculum for this program meets
the educational requirements for licensure in any other states or territories and we encourage you to investigate the requirements
in your state or territory prior to accepting an offer of admission at URI.
COLLEGE OF NURSING
uri.edu/nursing
RHODE ISLAND MONTHLY l OCTOBER 2020 69