Clinical Research Nurses

Clinical research nurses work as a member of a team during clinical trials, which can be quantitative (most studies) or qualitative in nature. Quantitative studies seek results that can be empirically measured. For example, a quantitative study of a new surgical procedure will seek to obtain hard data to measure how long a patient takes to recover, or what types of side effects they experienced, as compared to the recovery time and types of side effects from a previous surgical method. A qualitative study takes a more holistic approach—for example, studying how cultural norms effect treatment decisions for cancer or one’s choice to receive a vaccine.

Clinical research nurses have a variety of duties during clinical studies that vary by the type and size of the study. They include:

Patient care, advocacy, and monitoring: Nurses explain the parameters of the study to the patient, including its potential risks and benefits, and their rights. They answer any questions that the patient may have before, during, or after the study. Nurses ensure patient consent with the treatment that will be given and the use of the data that will be collected.

Patient monitoring: During the trial, the nurse ensures that the patient receives the appropriate medication or other treatments (or a placebo), evaluates their response to the treatment, and addresses any negative effects of the treatment. They monitor and ensure compliance with patient safety protocols. Nurses also must ensure that patients follow the study protocols correctly.

Data collection and management: The nurse records and stores data regarding the effects of the treatment on the patient, as well as records information about the study in general. Some prepare reports or give presentations about their findings.

Protocol adherence: The nurse makes sure that the study protocols are strictly followed and that patients are treated ethically in order to maintain the integrity of the research.

Other duties: Clinical research professionals may help to design medical studies, and some help recruit and screen study participants. Others assist in the writing clinical trial funding applications and proposals. Clinical research professionals may be tasked with contributing to academic papers about the study and submitting them to medical journals and academic medical centers for publication. Others present study findings at medical conferences.

In some trials, a research nurse coordinator (a type of advanced CRN) is responsible—under the supervision of a principal investigator (a role typically held by a physician or PhD scientist)—for overseeing the study and supervising clinical research nurses.