Which of the following comes to mind when you hear the word “research?” I wish I had more time to devote to nursing research, but unfortunately, it is extremely time-consuming. The importance of nursing research in advancing the field is acknowledged, yet I find it tedious. The complexity and lack of familiarity with nursing research prevent its full contribution to the empirical body of knowledge and to the criteria essential for professional status. If that’s how you feel, know that you’re in good company. Now if I ask why do you want to be a research nurse? Can you answer?
By conducting studies, we are able to prove our worth to the health and wellness field, clarify our methods, and strengthen our confidence in our expertise. From its inception (with Florence Nightingale) to the present day, nursing research has had one overarching goal: to produce empirical data to support nursing practice and aid in the delivery of quality patient care.
In this article, we will cover some main and important questions wanna be nurse researchers have in their minds. So, stay tuned with us till the end.
Why Do You Want To Become A Research Nurse?
Clinical research careers provide ample potential for individuals to get experience in a wide range of areas, including autonomy, innovation, change creation, increased contact time with patients, and job variety. Still, there’s a lot more out there to discover, such as;
- Throughout this nursing research career, you will acquire knowledge of TMFs, ISFs, CRFs, and SVDs. Things you probably didn’t know anything about before beginning your investigation.
- There are new rules and regulations that you will study and absorb.
- Educating yourself in the scientific method is in your future.
- You’ll find out what it really means to give someone your consent and why it takes time โ much more time than we usually charge for โ to give someone truly informed consent.
- As a result, you will likely give considerable thought to the ethical underpinnings of scientific inquiry.
- A few of you may even have heard of the “buffy coat” and learned how to balance a centrifuge and pipette without creating air bubbles.
- You will learn how to safely package dry ice so that the lives of your couriers are not in jeopardy.
- The use of encrypted USB sticks will be taught to you.
- The ability to politely (and, at times, desperately) request an emergency MRI or PET scan is a skill you will develop.
- Once you have a site inspection, you’ll start to take satisfaction in keeping the files organized and secure. The MHRA will judge your professionalism based on the information in your file.
- You will likely become more comfortable speaking up in group settings where you previously felt silent.
- In this course, you will learn to improve your public relations, marketing, and oratory abilities.
- You’ve got the whole concept of confidence all figured out.
- Patient journey maps that incorporate previously unrecognized branches of the service delivery network.
- Working with a wide variety of people, interests, and goals will be a valuable skill for you to acquire.
- You will become the “center” of your group.
- You’ll find out just how far a positive outlook can take you.
So, if you are looking forward to all the things mentioned above, then this is why do you want to be a research nurse!
Clinical research positions are still considered “new” in the job market. You are forging fresh trails for people to explore. Although we recognize the difficulty of the task at hand, we have faith in your ability to rise to the occasion.
So many opportunities exist for learning and development. If healthcare research is to become fully integrated into UK practice, not only do we need to pave new professional roads, but we must also develop new cultural connections. There is a way for you to make an impact, no matter what your skill set or area of expertise may be.
It’s great to be a part of this group of people that are committed to advancing healthcare via study. Being with and talking to others who have a similar drive to branch out, try something new, acquire a new skill, or uncover latent abilities is inspiring. If you’re just starting out in clinical research, don’t give up hope; the field’s many rewards will eventually start to pay off. Spending time and effort is necessary.
Who Is A Research Nurse?
Reuben B Bowie RN describes a research nurse as;
Any nurse having the preparation and opportunity to conduct research for or about nursing may be considered a nurse researcher.
We will describe a research nurse as;
- Nurses who do research have expert knowledge of the specialty being studied as well as a firm grasp of the research process and its nomenclature.
- The nurses perform an important role as patient advocates, making sure their patients are safe and cared for during the study.
- A research nurse’s skill set should span administration, organization, education, mentorship, communication, and information technology.
What Does A Nurse Researcher Do?
After the question “Why do you want to be a research nurse?” the second question people usually ask is “What does a nurse researcher do?”, “What are the responsibilities and duties of a research nurse?”
Scientists in the field of nursing who investigate health, illness, and medical care are known as nurse researchers. They seek to enhance health, health care delivery, and health outcomes by planning and carrying out empirical studies.
Registered nurses who conduct research determine research topics, create and execute experiments, compile and evaluate data, and write up their findings. Writing grant bids and fulfilling reporting criteria are common ways that they raise money for their projects. Many contribute to nursing, medical, and other professional journals and publications by writing and teaching. When tackling difficult challenges and difficulties, nurse researchers frequently team up with experts from other disciplines, including those from the domains of pharmacy, nutrition, medicine, and engineering.
Research assistant, clinical data coordinator, and clinical research monitor are all possible entry-level employment for aspiring nurse researchers.
The principal investigator is the highest-ranking researcher on a project and is ultimately responsible for the results.
Roles & Duties of a Research Nurse
These hard-working researchers are discovering, thanks to their studies, improvements in areas like:
- Reduce wasteful spending while improving the quality of health care
- Enhance the standard of living for those with long-term conditions.
- Motivate people to improve their health through diet, exercise, and lifestyle changes
- Promote health and avoid harm to patients.
- Attend to patients’ needs and soothe them as they near death.
The informed nursing practice relies on the findings of nursing research, which contributes to a growing body of knowledge and provides the empirical basis for nursing and other health care professionals’ activities. Prenatal care, heart transplant recovery, and cancer and other patient pain management are just a few areas where nursing research has made positive impacts.
Importance of Nursing Research
According to Lamar University of Texas, the two major benefits of nursing research are;
The Field of Nursing Research Contributes New Ideas to Healthcare
Research in the field of nursing complements and expands upon the methods and practices of more conventional scientific inquiry. Researchers in the nursing profession, as described by Explore Health Careers, are responsible for carrying out studies, analyzing data, and disseminating the findings to the healthcare community. They also produce grant bids and articles for academic journals. In this regard, their work is analogous to that of a more conventional scientist.
The fundamental distinction lies in the fact that nursing research is more applied and has direct clinical implications for patients.
Research in the field of nursing has the potential to enhance the quality of healthcare provided, the effectiveness of therapies for patients with chronic conditions, and the success of health education campaigns.
Most likely, nurses have the deepest awareness of their patients’ complex physiological, psychological, and social requirements. This expertise sets them apart as researchers, allowing them to focus on topics that matter to patients and to evaluate data in a way that yields insights that can be put to use to boost people’s health.
Research Nurses Undertake Studies That Significantly Improve Healthcare Systems and Policies Across The Nation
In the Featured Research area of the NINR website, the organization highlights a number of important studies.
In one 2021 study, for instance, researchers set out to figure out how to help the most at-risk young people combat the epidemic of childhood obesity (youth in minority and low-income populations). Specifically, the study examined the effects of introducing “social-oriented physical exercise” and “get-to-know-you” sessions into existing after-school programs for elementary school students from racial and socioeconomically marginalized communities.
Participants in the intervention group increased their MVPA by approximately an hour each week compared to the control group. Weight, cardiorespiratory fitness, and other health outcomes benefit from increased MVPA. According to the National Institute on Aging, these results “give support for physical activity treatments to incorporate social elements in programs for underserved kids and can shape future school-based health initiatives.”
Research in the field of nursing, as demonstrated by this study, can effectively address a pressing issue, put a hypothesis to the test in novel ways, and yield results and evidence-based understanding that can be used to inform policy and practice and bring about meaningful reform.
Bottom Line
The development of any field requires extensive research. Research in nursing has the potential to similarly transform the healthcare industry. When nurses employ evidence-based practice, patients receive higher quality care.
To succeed in the field of nursing, you’ll need to be able to conduct thorough research. Why? Nurses play a vital role in ensuring that patients and their loved ones have access to the data they need to make educated decisions about their health.
Research aids nurses in ensuring efficient, evidence-based care as the profession develops in response to societal requirements and developments in medical science. The availability of high-quality nursing care over time depends on nurse retention rates, which can be predicted with precision through research. We hope our article here is helpful and answers the queries you have in mind.
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