Clinical research nurses play a vital role in delivering clinical research, and ultimately improving patient care and treatment pathways.

Duties can include:

  • supporting a patient through their treatment as part of a clinical trial (identifying patient eligible for research, informed consent, randomisation, managing trial visits, performing venepuncture/ cannulation, delivering trial treatments and interventions and safety monitoring).
  • contributing to preparing trial protocols and other trial-related documentation
  • helping to develop new drugs, treatments, care pathways or regimens for patients
  • dealing with data collection
  • supporting the submission of study proposals for regulatory approval, and co-ordinating the initiation, management and completion of the research
  • managing a team.

The role of the Lead Research Nurse can be very rewarding in terms of its impact on patient care and outcomes and also in supporting clinical research nurse development, utilising leadership skills to achieve these goals. A passion for enhancing evidence-based care through delivering high quality research is a key quality of a nurse working in the field of clinical research. The robust research knowledge base that clinical research nurses develop provides a valuable resource to supporting nurses/ midwives (including students) in commencing their own research journey.

Qualifications and Experience required – Having a relevant nursing degree is essential, having further qualifications in a research related subject is desirable. Experience in the field of clinical research is desirable however, there are sometimes opportunities to gain experience in clinical research through progression posts and the bank shifts.

Where do I find out more about the Research nursing team? For more information, please click here or contact Lead Research Nurses on 0191 4041000 ext 2260 (Carly Brown) or 0191 5656256 ext 42167 (Lynne Palmer)

Where do I find out more about undertaking research in Nursing? For more information, please click here

Return to Research Nurse Bands 6-8a