Research Nurse

Therapeutic Radiographer

Mammographer

Therapeutic Radiographer

Mammographer

Do you work in a methodical way? Perhaps science and technology are your ‘thing’?

Research Nurses are responsible for running clinical trials that develop new drugs, treatments or care pathways. They contribute to the development of new evidence and improve patient care. They work with patients who have consented to take part in different trials to help to improve treatment and survival rates for cancer patients. Research Nurses will also have administrative time to ensure the trails run smoothly and that all protocols are followed.

As a Research Nurse you are most likely to:

prepare trial protocols and other trial-related documentation
be involved in the clinical care of research patients
collect and enter data about the trials
work with research institutes and pharmaceutical industry
present and teach on the process and results

Entry Requirements

You will need to be an experienced registered cancer nurse.
Ideally you would need to gain experience research design and clinical research.

Training Routes

Once you are working as a cancer nurse in the NHS you can approach your research and development department and speak with the lead clinical research nurse to find opportunities to shadow or do short term work placements.
Study research vacancies and identify what experience and skills employers want, Some Band 5 posts may not require prior experience in research.

Key Skills

Research nurses need to have strong clinical and communication skills to work with patients. They also need to have attention to detail, the ability to prioritise their workload and strong data input and written skills.

Career Development

There are many roles within research, you could build your experience and undertake postgraduate study to become a more senior research sister or charge nurse. You could also move into academia and do some lecturing or become a clinical academic.