There have been great advancements in medicine in the past century. Research has helped to produce many of the major cures and medication we have available today. Research teams include scientists, specialists, and physicians and – of course – nurses, whose expert work helps to improve the world of healthcare.
Research nurses play a crucial role in the world of clinical trial services, but to many people their work remains a mystery. In a nutshell, research nurses ensure clinical research studies run as smoothly as possible and that participants remain safe and fully-informed throughout the process.
Research nurses are at the forefront of medical discoveries, helping to develop breakthrough cures and medical treatments; in addition, they help to evaluate and perfect old and new treatments for various medical problems.
What does it take to be a research nurse?
To be a good research nurse, such as those provided by companies such as gandlscientific.com/clinical-trial-services, you must be extremely dedicated and willing to take on everything that comes your way. You will need to have an excellent understanding of the research process and the speciality area in which you are working. Good communication skills are a must, as you will be required to communicate effectively with physicians, scientists, patients, researchers and executives.
What to expect
The exact duties of a research nurse will vary depending on their employer and role. Some research nurses may be responsible for studying diseases, while others will help to create and improve new medications and treatments.
Research nurses who study illnesses and diseases will normally perform a great deal of research by studying previous findings and observing patients. They could be required to observe patients who suffer from a specific disease and examine medical journals.
Other research nurses could be responsible for organising, overseeing and assisting in clinical trials, often involving new treatments and methods. These nurses are responsible for finding and assessing suitable clinical test subjects; to do this, they need to examine patients’ medical histories and assess their physical health.
During the trial, nurses are responsible for administrating medications and monitoring the patients’ progress, including side effects, drug interactions and the effectiveness of the medication. They must also gather information throughout the trial, which will later be compiled into reports and handed over to senior researches or specialists.