Research nurses play a vital role in the advancement of new drugs, treatment and patient care.
Building the capacity of the nursing research workforce is a priority for the health and medical sector, and there are a wide range of research opportunities for qualified nurses.
You may already be a nurse lecturer who wants to expand your teaching role to include research, or perhaps you are finishing your BSc in Nursing and are looking towards a route into a research career. There are research opportunities available to nurses in all specialisms, from cardiology to acute care.
As a research nurse, you could be involved in the development of new treatments during a clinical trial or working as a researcher in a non-clinical specialism such as public health. Whichever route you choose, a career in research nursing offers the chance to work as part of a multi-disciplinary academic team dedicated to improving health and patient care.
Here we look at some of the research nursing roles available, the qualifications and experience you will need and opportunities for career progression. You will also find information about PhD studentship opportunities available to aspiring research nurses.
Job Descriptions
Clinical Trials Nurse
Clinical trials nurses work in a team of researchers, clinical staff and senior academics to research the effects of new drugs and treatments on patients.
Duties:
- Supporting and monitoring patients involved in a clinical trial
- Helping to develop new drugs and treatments
- Performing diagnostic tests and health screening
- Data collection and preparation of trial protocols
- Preparing and monitoring drug dosages
- Caring for patients involved in the study
- Managing a team (senior level)
What qualifications and experience do you need?
A nursing degree, current registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) and significant post-qualifying clinical experience are essential for clinical trials nurse positions.
Depending on the area of research, a Master’s degree may also be required. A PhD in a related area (or working towards) would be highly desirable.
What’s the pay?
Salaries for clinical trials nurses start in the range of £23,000 to £36,000, depending on qualifications and experience.
What can it lead to?
Clinical trials are funding-driven so research nursing jobs are mainly offered on a fixed-term basis.
However, the research skills, experience and qualifications (if you are undertaking doctoral studies) you will gain could help you to participate in other clinical trials or move up to a job as a clinical trials manager.
Where can I find clinical trial nursing jobs?
Clinical trial nurses work within teams that are jointly funded between hospital trusts and universities. There are also jobs available within research institutes, pharmaceutical companies and charities.
Find clinical trials nurse jobs here
Research Associate/Fellow (non-clinical)
Research associates or fellows work with a team of academics and clinicians to carry out research in their specialist areas of the health and medical sector.
Duties:
- Conducting research studies in your specialist nursing field
- Supporting with data analysis, writing reports and publishing outcomes
- Collaborating with researchers, senior academics and external health service providers
- Identifying and recruiting patient participants for medical research projects
What qualifications and experience do you need?
A first degree in nursing (or related subject) and experience in clinical practice and research related to your specialist area are essential for research associate posts.
A PhD (awarded or soon-to-be awarded) in a related discipline is often required for nurses who want to move into research associate roles. However, this varies from role to role and employers may be willing to accept equivalent professional experience in the area being studied.
What’s the pay?
Salaries for research associates/fellows start in the region of £33,309 to £40,927, depending on qualifications and experience.
What can it lead to?
On gaining experience as a research associate on a range of projects, the next rung of the career ladder would be a senior research associate or senior lecturer in a university.
Where can I find research associate jobs?
Research associate roles in nursing tend to be offered on a fixed-term basis for the duration of a research project. Research associate jobs are available in universities, research institutes, public bodies, private companies or charitable foundations.
Find research associate/fellow jobs in nursing here
PhD studentships in Nursing
Many of the research roles available in nursing require candidates to either be undertaking doctoral studies or to have already been awarded a PhD.
A PhD enables those with a first degree in nursing or a related health sciences field to gain the research skills and experience needed to progress in an academic career.
What does a PhD in Nursing involve?
A PhD takes around 3-5 years to complete. You would ideally undertake a PhD in your nursing specialism, such as midwifery or mental health. Some PhD studentships enable nurses to divide their time between clinical practice and research.
What qualifications and experience do you need?
A first degree (at least a 2.1) in nursing or health and social care discipline is essential for PhD studentships. You may also be required to be a registered nurse or midwife and have considerable post-qualifying experience.
A Master’s degree and experience in research methods are highly desirable.
Funding
Many doctoral programmes in fields related to nursing are fully funded and come with maintenance grants in the range of £15,000-£17,000 per annum.
Find current PhD studentships in nursing here
The Royal College of Nursing has also compiled a list of UK universities offering postgraduate research training opportunities in nursing.
Further information:
- Academic jobs in Nursing
- Lecturing jobs in nursing
- Senior Level academic jobs in nursing
- Clinical research nurses: In Their Own Words (NIHR)
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