Extending the description of the clinical research nursing workforce

Abstract

Background The role of Clinical Research Nurses across the globe has not been evaluated to identify similarities or differences among specific activities. Aims This study’s aims were to determine differences in Clinical Research Nurses most frequently performed activities, if these activities are reflective of those previously described in the literature, and job titles Clinical Research Nurses use to self-identify. Methods An online cross-sectional survey distributed via snowball sampling through email, social media, and research nurses’ networks included questions on frequency of activities performed and information related to job titles. Pearson’s chi-square test is analyzed for associations between the groups. Results Respondents returned 252 questionnaires, 233 were eligible for analysis. Research nurse activities performed internationally showed both similarities and differences. Any between country comparisons will be limited to the United States and the United Kingdom. The three most common tasks reported were recruitment 120 (51.5%), monitoring the research participant for potential adverse events 187 (80.2%) and providing nursing leadership within the interdisciplinary team 169 (72.5%). Conclusion Considering the context and range of activities of the original Clinical Research Nursing Domain of Practice, broadening the framework to include the leadership domain will better serve as a foundation for the specialty practice.

Characteristics and duties of clinical research nurses: a scoping review

“…The 26 included articles were published between 1991 and 2023 ( Table 1 ), most of which were published after 2010 ( n = 22, 84.62%), and the role of CRNs began to receive more attention in the past 5 years. The articles came from seven countries (based on the affiliation of the first author), with the top three being the United States ( n = 9, 34.62%) ( 4 , 9 , 12–18 ), the United Kingdom ( n = 7, 29.17%) ( 19–25 ), and China ( n = 4, 16.67%) (Liu et al, 2020; Li et al, 2020; Deng et al, 2023) ( 26 ). Among the 26 studies, research methods varied.…”

“…Among the 26 studies, research methods varied. Regarding research methods, 16 studies (66.67%) (Li et al, 2020), ( 4 , 9 , 14–23 , 27–29 ) used qualitative methods and 10 studies (38.46%) (Liu et al, 2020; Deng et al, 2023) ( 12 , 13 , 24–26 , 30–32 ) used quantitative methods. As for specific methods, survey interviews ( n = 7, 29.17%), or focus groups ( n = 6, 25%) were the main methods used.…”

Exploration of Lived Experiences and Measurement of Burnout Among US Clinical Research Nurses

“…In 2016, clinical research nursing became a recognized nursing specialty by the American Nurses Association 1 . Clinical research nurses (CRNs) are RNs who support clinical trials by being experts in trial protocols at the site level, by advocating for safe and ethical trial participant management, by ensuring data collection and transcription, and by acting as liaisons between trial sponsors and the research team 2-4 . More than 2700 CRNs are members of the Society of Clinical Research Associates (SoCRA) supporting tens of thousands of clinical trials every year in the United States 5 .…”

“…1 Clinical research nurses (CRNs) are RNs who support clinical trials by being experts in trial protocols at the site level, by advocating for safe and ethical trial participant management, by ensuring data collection and transcription, and by acting as liaisons between trial sponsors and the research team. [2][3][4] More than 2700 CRNs are members of the Society of Clinical Research Associates (SoCRA) supporting tens of thousands of clinical trials every year in the United States. 5 Research nurses are integral members of the site research team given their unique knowledge of clinical and research expertise.…”

Commentary: Clinical research nurse utilisation and role in the conduct of decentralised clinical trials: a literature review

“…The CRN domain of practice was initially published by the NIH Clinical Center in 2009 (CRN 2010 Domain of Practice Committee, 2009). Studies of the CRN roles have been published to identify the roles associated with the CRN practice (Bevans et al, 2011; Fisher et al, 2022). These roles continue to evolve as new clinical trial practices and procedures are adopted, including the emerging decentralised clinical trials (DCTs).…”