research nurse jobs in uk

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Nursing Services: Research vacancies

• Direct Delivery Team Clinical Research Practitioner (Northants/Leics) Band 4 or Band 5, dependant on knowledge, skills, and experience University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust Wellingborough / Leicester Salary: £25,147 - £34,581 per annum

• Band 6 Inflammatory Bowel Disease CNS/Clinical Research Nurse NHS AfC: Band 6 (subject to consistency checking) Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust London Salary: £42,471 - £50,364 per annum, inclusive of HCAS

• Primary Care Research Facilitator NHS AfC: Band 5 University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust East Midlands Salary: £28,407 - £34,581 pro rata

• Direct Delivery Team Clinical Research Practitioner (Leicestershire) NHS AfC: Band 4 University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust Leicester Salary: £25,147 - £27,596 per annum

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611 Research nurse Jobs in UK

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Clinical research nursing

A one-stop-shop for nurses working in clinical research

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

Clinical research is essential.

It is the only evidence-based method of deciding whether a new approach to treatment or care is better than the current standard, and is essential to diagnose, treat, prevent, and cure disease. Clinical research nurses play a vital role in delivering clinical research, and ultimately improving patient care and treatment pathways.

Duties could include:

• supporting a patient through their treatment as part of a clinical trial
• preparing trial protocols and other trial-related documentation
• helping to develop new drugs, treatments, care pathways or regimens for patients
• dealing with data collection
• submitting study proposals for regulatory approval, and co-ordinating the initiation, management and completion of the research
• managing a team.

Celebrating clinical research nursing and its vital role in health care

29 April 2021, London

COVID-19 and clinical research nurses

The current pandemic has raised the awareness of clinical research and the impact it has on identifying effective treatments to treat this recently emerging virus. From the outset, clinical research has been a key part of the government's response and the plan to contain, delay, research and mitigate. Clinical research nurses (CRNs) have been key to the effective delivery of many of the COVID-19 interventional and observational studies now running or completed. In order to focus recruitment on key treatment studies, trusts have been encouraged to prioritise studies approved by the UK's four Chief Medical Officers (CMO) and running within the National Institute of Health Research (NIHR) Clinical Research Network.

The following articles provide further information on the work of CRNs during the current pandemic.

• Iles-Smith H et al on behalf of the Association of UK Lead Research Nurses (2020) How research nurses and midwives are supporting COVID-19 clinical trials . Nursing Times [online]; 116: 11, 20-22.
• Jones H et al (2020) Clinical research nurses and midwives - a key workforce in the coronavirus pandemic . Nursing Times [online]; 30 Apr 2020.

Clinical research and the NIHR

The National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) funds health and care research and provides the people, facilities, and technology that enables research to thrive.

The NIHR invests significantly in people, centres of excellence, collaborations, services and facilities to support health and care research in England. Collectively these form the NIHR infrastructure, which can support you to:

• find collaboration opportunities
• access methodology advice
• access facilities for early stage research
• run your study
• access data, patient cohorts or sample support

Collaborations, services and support for your research

Are you a nurse, midwife or allied health professional (AHP) practicing in the NHS? Do you have views about how research is delivered by Clinical Research Nurses in the NHS? Would you be prepared to share those views?

The Represent-CRN study is part of the Royal College of Nursing Strategic Research Alliance with the University of Sheffield. It aims to explore the views of registered NHS staff operating outside of clinical research delivery teams, in relation to the Clinical Research Nurse role and research delivery.

By exploring these views, we hope to shed light on what leads to different perceptions of research, ultimately to enable more patients to have the opportunity to participate in research that is relevant to their health.    Find out more about the study .

Looking for a career in clinical research?

If you work in the NHS, most Trusts have R&D departments, who will put you in touch with the lead clinical research nurse: there may be opportunities to shadow, or do short-term work placements.

• National directory of NHS research offices

Research nursing across the UK

National Institute for Health Research

• The role of the clinical research nurse

Health and Social Care R&D Division

• HSC Trust research offices
• Northern Ireland Clinical Trials Unit
• Cross-border Healthcare Intervention Trials in Ireland Network (CHITIN)

Chief Scientist Office

• NHS Research Scotland (NRS)

Scottish Research Nurse and Co-ordinators Network

Health and Care Research Wales

• Clinical Trials Units

Organisational research structures and strategies

Publications which may help organisations to develop their own research infrastructure.

• Whitehouse, CL. And Smith, HA. (2018) The Whitehouse Report: Review of research nursing and midwifery structures, strategies and sharing of learning across the UK and Ireland in 2017. The Florence Nightingale Foundation .
• Jones, HC. (2017) Exploring the experience of Clinical Research Nurses working within acute NHS trusts and determining the most effective way to structure the workforce: A mixed methods study .

Further reading

A selection of articles about research nursing.

• Tinkler L. Smith V. Tuannakou Y and Robinson L. (2017) Professional Identity and the clinical research nurse: A qualitative study exploring issues having an impact on participant recruitment in research . Journal of Advanced Nursing
• Jones H.C. (2015) Clinical research nurse or nurse researcher? Nursing Times. 111(19) 12-14
• Hamer S. (2015) The nurse's changing role in clinical research . Nursing Times. 111(39) 12-14
• Gleason K (2013) What is a Research Nurse and what do they do? Clinfield Blog

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Keep up to date with all the latest developments in nursing research by signing up to the RCN’s fortnightly research and innovation bulletin.

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Research Nurse

University of birmingham - cancer research (uk) clinical trials unit, institute of cancer and genomic sciences, college of medical and dental sciences.

Full time starting salary is normally in the range £34,980 to £44,263, with potential progression once in post to £46,974

Fixed Term contract up to 2 years

Closing date: 25 February 2024

The Cancer Research UK Clinical Trials Unit (CRCTU) at the University of Birmingham is one of the largest cancer specialist clinical trials units in the UK. The unit runs both early phase and large randomised phase III/IV trials. We currently have an exciting opportunity for a Grade 7 specialist Research Nurse to join our successful early phase oncology trials team and support the delivery of early phase clinical trials, with a focus on Neuro-oncology.

The post holder will be responsible for the delivery of direct and indirect care and safe nursing practices for a specific group of patients taking part in predominantly phase I/II clinical trials. The post holder will be required to administer novel immunotherapy and cytotoxic agents and for the collection of pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamics samples. The role will require an expanded practice of clinical research process knowledge. The post holder will work both as a clinical site team member and, as a senior member of staff, contribute to the conduct and coordination of Cancer Research UK Clinical Trials Unit (CRCTU) early phase clinical trials. You must be able to use your own initiative, be an effective leader, team player and an excellent communicator. 

Applicants will have a Registered Nursing Qualification and be able to demonstrate a skill within a specialist area of nursing (e.g. oncology/Neuro-oncology). Desirable skills include – ability to perform phlebotomy and cannulation along with delivery to cytotoxic chemotherapy, immunotherapy and novel agents.

Informal enquires can be made by email to Cancer Research UK Senior Research Nurse Karen Turner [email protected]

To download the full job description and details of this position and submit an electronic application online please click on the above ‘Apply’ button. Please quote Job Ref 101004 in all enquiries. 

We believe there is no such thing as a 'typical' member of University of Birmingham staff and that diversity in its many forms is a strength that underpins the exchange of ideas, innovation and debate at the heart of University life. We are committed to proactively addressing the barriers experienced by some groups in our community and are proud to hold Athena SWAN, Race Equality Charter and Disability Confident accreditations. We have an Equality Diversity and Inclusion Centre that focuses on continuously improving the University as a fair and inclusive place to work where everyone has the opportunity to succeed. You can find out more about our work to create a fairer university for everyone on our website .  

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Research Nurse - Inpatient Research Delivery Team

Northern care alliance nhs foundation trust salford m6 8hd.

• Salary: £35,392 to £42,618 a year
• Closing date: 10 April 2024
• Contract type: Permanent
• Working pattern: Full time

Research & Evaluation Assistant / Research & Evaluation Practitioner

Royal united hospitals bath nhs foundation trust bristol bs34 8rb.

• Salary: Depends on experience
• Closing date: 14 April 2024
• Contract type: Fixed-Term

Research Nurse / Clinical Pharmacist or Research Practitioner

The university of nottingham health service nottingham ng7 2qw.

• Closing date: 15 April 2024
• Working pattern: Full time, Job-share, Part time

Senior Clinical Research Nurse / Clinical Research Practitioner

St george's healthcare nhs foundation trust london sw17 0qt.

• Salary: £51,488 to £57,802 a year
• Closing date: 11 April 2024

Research Nurse

North bristol nhs trust bristol bs10 5nb.

• Salary: £28,407 to £34,581 a year

Research Facilitator

University hospital southampton nhs trust southampton so16 6yd.

• Closing date: 21 April 2024
• Working pattern: Full time, Part time

Research Clinician

Cadbury heath healthcare bristol bs30 8hs.

• Closing date: 30 April 2024
• Working pattern: Flexible working, Part time

Newcastle General Practice Services Ltd Newcastle upon Tyne NE3 3PF

University hospitals bristol and weston nhs foundation trust (uhbw) bristol bs2 8ed.

• Closing date: 16 April 2024

The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust 317 01 Freeman Hospital NE7 7DN

HealthJobsUK

• Nursing and Midwifery job search

Nursing Services: Research vacancies

• Direct Delivery Team Clinical Research Practitioner (Northants/Leics) Band 4 or Band 5, dependant on knowledge, skills, and experience University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust , Wellingborough / Leicester Speciality: Research Salary: £25,147 - £34,581 per annum

• Band 6 Inflammatory Bowel Disease CNS/Clinical Research Nurse NHS AfC: Band 6 (subject to consistency checking) Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust , London Speciality: IBD biologics and research Salary: £42,471 - £50,364 per annum, inclusive of HCAS

• Primary Care Research Facilitator NHS AfC: Band 5 University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust , East Midlands Speciality: Primary Care Research Salary: £28,407 - £34,581 pro rata

• Direct Delivery Team Clinical Research Practitioner (Leicestershire) NHS AfC: Band 4 University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust , Leicester Speciality: Research Salary: £25,147 - £27,596 per annum

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• About Nurses.co.uk
• 15 March 2023

How To Become A Research Nurse

• Jessica Trigg Band 6 Registered Nurse
• Save for later
• Richard Gill
• Matt Farrah

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So Where Does The Research Nurse Fit In?

Essentially, Research Nurses are the hands and feet of research.

They are the ones who recruit participants to a trial, complete their clinical visits, administer medication, liaise with the multidisciplinary team, collect and record data, explain the protocol to the patient, and ensure each person is safe and well cared for throughout the trial.

The bottom line is - a Research Nurse is first and foremost a nurse, caring for participants, and guiding them through the clinical trial process , similar to how a Surgical Ward Nurse would guide a patient through their pre-op and post-operative journey.

What Skills Do I Need?

You need to be able to pay attention to detail.

Clinical trials follow meticulous policies and procedures, literally down to dotting i’s and crossing t’s! So, it’s important you have a thorough and systematic approach to recording important data that will be collected and collated for analysis. You need to readily assimilate information, especially the trial protocol, so you can clearly explain it to your patient.

Research trials require you to be highly organised, making sure you keep up with the constant flow of emails and completing all the relevant training for each trial. You will need to plan, prepare clinical kits and facilities for patient visits, and manage your time effectively to ensure you send off blood samples and complete clinical tests per the protocol’s instructions.

Good Clinical Practice (GCP) guidelines are the ethical gold standard for all professionals involved in research, and a fundamental legal component of this is Informed Consent.

This basically says that all participants who are recruited into clinical trials need to understand what they are signing up for. You need to make it clear to them what the risks are, and the benefits, of participating in the study. You need to be able to answer their questions and help them understand that they are free to withdraw at any time, without having to provide any reason if they don’t wish to. And you need to put them at ease and follow up before and after visits to make sure they are happy with how everything is going.

Upload or create your CV on Nurses.co.uk. Our CV building tool is designed specifically for UK healthcare. Use it to apply for jobs and get hired.

How Did I Find Myself In Research?

I applied for a Band 6 role in a respiratory trials unit with no prior research experience. A friend who works as a Speech and Language therapist recommended the role to me when I was close to burnout in my old post.

I was recruited into a nationwide Covid-19 study, which is conducted remotely, so the first few months of my role weren’t patient-facing. However, the shape of my role has changed since I’ve started to coordinate more clinical trials, and it has become a lot more varied.

I really enjoy the diversity of the job: working with the consultants, advocating for participants, getting involved in research forums, completing clinic visits, keeping up with administrative tasks and record keeping, and learning about new developments in medical treatments.

For me, it’s a job filled with hope and potential, because you know that, together with your participants, you are helping to shape medical advances in care and treatment for the future.

Sometimes I find the sheer amount of governance and regulation involved in research a little overwhelming, and it can be difficult to navigate through it all. It’s helpful to have the support of my colleagues who are more experienced and can guide me through the processes clearly.

A Day In The Life Of A Research Nurse

The general working pattern is 9-5, Monday to Friday, but you must be prepared to have some flexibility. For example, if a clinic visit ends up lasting much longer and you need to wait for some blood samples to be transported, you may end up working later than expected. Or you might need to cover some weekends if you have a trial which requires safety calls.

Overall, the hours are more sociable than the 12-hour shift patterns on the wards, but you still need to be adaptable.

I usually start my day by catching up on emails, answering data queries, liaising with trial coordinators, and uploading relevant trial paperwork for filing.

After a quick cup of tea, a patient comes in for their first screening visit. I make sure they’re comfortable, get them a drink, and then the doctor, my colleague and I talk them through their visit schedule, and what will happen each time they attend appointments. Then I complete a medical history, perform observations, take an ECG, take bloods, and complete a spirometry assessment which helps to measure how well my patient’s lungs are functioning. I’ll then centrifuge the bloods in the lab, which is a process used to separate blood into its different components so it can be preserved and sent on for further analysis.

The results of this assessment will determine whether my patient is eligible to take part in the trial, so I’ll go over it with the consultant who will review their results. If all is well, I’ll inform the patient and check they are happy to go forward with their next visit. Once my patient has left the clinic, it’s time for lunch.

The afternoon will be spent checking their paperwork, documenting their visit in the clinical record system, and uploading documents to the electronic site file (so there is a clear audit trail).

Finally, I’ll compile a paper folder containing relevant assessments and kit bags for the rest of the study visits.

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What Does A Research Nurse Do?

To become a Research Nurse you need to be qualified with the NMC and employers usually prefer it if you have at least 1-2 years of clinical experience. It can help if you have worked in a particular area and choose the same research field, as your practice will greatly enhance your knowledge and skills. But this isn’t always a prerequisite.

Most employers want assurance that you have the clinical know-how and transferable skills, and they will provide you with the relevant training to complete your new role.

Research posts are advertised on NHS jobs. If you just want to dip your toe in and test the waters, the National Institute for Health and Care Research has plenty of information about local research networks across the country, and how you can become involved. 

The NHS is implementing policies to embed research into clinical practice, making it more visible and encouraging close collaboration between research teams and clinical practice. So, there are lots of emerging and innovative opportunities for different kinds of research nursing, such as a ‘hybrid’ role where nurses can feed their clinical practice into a research study.

You can also request a research placement while you are training to become a nurse , which will give you more of an idea of whether you would enjoy the role.

How Do I Apply?

You can apply to a post with little to no prior research experience as a Band 5 Registered Nurse, although employers often prefer it if you have some research background.

It’s worth mentioning that once you become a Research Nurse, plenty of opportunities for progression are open to you.

You can advance to Band 6 and Band 7 roles which vary in scope and can include management, becoming a lead nurse or specialising in a chosen field. Or you can go on to pursue a career in academic research, alongside your Clinical Research post, or even full-time.

The NIHR funds fellowships for healthcare practitioners interested in exploring the possibility of a doctorate in their chosen area and provides support for nurses who would like to undertake their own research study.

There’s also room for advocacy posts within your role, such as getting involved in Patient and Public Involvement, to encourage the public to engage with research and shape its development and delivery.

What Is The Pay Like For Research?

It depends on which sector you’re employed in e.g., public, or private.

NHS Trusts will pay you according to the Agenda for Change pay bracket relevant to your role , whereas a private pharmaceutical company will have their own pay rates.

Since more opportunities to progress have developed in research, it’s possible to eventually earn a salary of £47, 672 as an experienced Band 8a.

To find out more about pay rates, please visit our NHS pay calculator .

If you’d like to find out more about research roles, take a look at our most recent Research Nurse jobs here .

About the author

I am Band 6 Registered Nurse working in a variety of settings; district nursing, hospital avoidance teams, a rehabilitation unit, a complex care 24-hour nursing home, and the first UK nurse-led Neighbourhood Nursing pilot scheme.  I currently work part-time as a Clinical Research Nurse, at Oxford University Respiratory Trials Unit, as well as as a District Nurse. I am passionate about healthcare outreach/inclusion and connecting healthcare organisations with marginalised groups through writing.

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Research Jobs in Nursing

Research nurses play a vital role in the advancement of new drugs, treatment and patient care.

Building the capacity of the nursing research workforce is a priority for the health and medical sector, and there are a wide range of research opportunities for qualified nurses.

You may already be a nurse lecturer who wants to expand your teaching role to include research, or perhaps you are finishing your BSc in Nursing and are looking towards a route into a research career.  There are research opportunities available to nurses in all specialisms, from cardiology to acute care.

As a research nurse, you could be involved in the development of new treatments during a clinical trial or working as a researcher in a non-clinical specialism such as public health. Whichever route you choose, a career in research nursing offers the chance to work as part of a multi-disciplinary academic team dedicated to improving health and patient care.

Here we look at some of the research nursing roles available, the qualifications and experience you will need and opportunities for career progression. You will also find information about PhD studentship opportunities available to aspiring research nurses.

Job Descriptions

Clinical trials nurse.

• Research associate/fellow (non-clinical)
• PhD studentship

Clinical trials nurses work in a team of researchers, clinical staff and senior academics to research the effects of new drugs and treatments on patients.

• Supporting and monitoring patients involved in a clinical trial
• Helping to develop new drugs and treatments
• Performing diagnostic tests and health screening
• Data collection and preparation of trial protocols
• Preparing and monitoring drug dosages
• Caring for patients involved in the study
• Managing a team (senior level)

What qualifications and experience do you need?

A nursing degree, current registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) and significant post-qualifying clinical experience are essential for clinical trials nurse positions.

Depending on the area of research, a Master’s degree may also be required. A PhD in a related area (or working towards) would be highly desirable.

What’s the pay?

Salaries for clinical trials nurses start in the range of £23,000 to £36,000, depending on qualifications and experience.

What can it lead to?

Clinical trials are funding-driven so research nursing jobs are mainly offered on a fixed-term basis.

However, the research skills, experience and qualifications (if you are undertaking doctoral studies) you will gain could help you to participate in other clinical trials or move up to a job as a clinical trials manager.

Where can I find clinical trial nursing jobs?

Clinical trial nurses work within teams that are jointly funded between hospital trusts and universities. There are also jobs available within research institutes, pharmaceutical companies and charities.

Find clinical trials nurse jobs here

Research Associate/Fellow (non-clinical)

Research associates or fellows work with a team of academics and clinicians to carry out research in their specialist areas of the health and medical sector.

• Conducting research studies in your specialist nursing field
• Supporting with data analysis, writing reports and publishing outcomes
• Collaborating with researchers, senior academics and external health service providers
• Identifying and recruiting patient participants for medical research projects

A first degree in nursing (or related subject) and experience in clinical practice and research related to your specialist area are essential for research associate posts.

A PhD (awarded or soon-to-be awarded) in a related discipline is often required for nurses who want to move into research associate roles. However, this varies from role to role and employers may be willing to accept equivalent professional experience in the area being studied.

Salaries for research associates/fellows start in the region of £33,309 to £40,927, depending on qualifications and experience.

On gaining experience as a research associate on a range of projects, the next rung of the career ladder would be a senior research associate or senior lecturer in a university.

Where can I find research associate jobs?

Research associate roles in nursing tend to be offered on a fixed-term basis for the duration of a research project. Research associate jobs are available in universities, research institutes, public bodies, private companies or charitable foundations.

Find research associate/fellow jobs in nursing here

PhD studentships in Nursing

Many of the research roles available in nursing require candidates to either be undertaking doctoral studies or to have already been awarded a PhD.

A PhD enables those with a first degree in nursing or a related health sciences field to gain the research skills and experience needed to progress in an academic career.

What does a PhD in Nursing involve?

A PhD takes around 3-5 years to complete. You would ideally undertake a PhD in your nursing specialism, such as midwifery or mental health. Some PhD studentships enable nurses to divide their time between clinical practice and research.

A first degree (at least a 2.1) in nursing or health and social care discipline is essential for PhD studentships. You may also be required to be a registered nurse or midwife and have considerable post-qualifying experience.

A Master’s degree and experience in research methods are highly desirable.

Many doctoral programmes in fields related to nursing are fully funded and come with maintenance grants in the range of £15,000-£17,000 per annum.

Find current PhD studentships in nursing here

The Royal College of Nursing has also compiled a list of UK universities offering postgraduate research training opportunities in nursing.

Further information:

• Academic jobs in Nursing
• Lecturing jobs in nursing
• Senior Level academic jobs in nursing
• Clinical research nurses: In Their Own Words (NIHR)

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How to become a clinical research nurse in the UK? - A Guide [2023]

What is clinical nursing research? - Skills and salary

Research in clinical settings is to learn the health of patients to discover new information and advance patient care. In the UK clinical research nurses provide a key link between healthcare organisations , research teams, and patients. They help medical studies and research. They gather data from the patients, ensure that research is carried out properly, and keep patients safe during the process of research. In this article, we explain what research in nursing is, the role of a clinical research nurse in the UK, the salary of a clinical research nurse, and how to become a clinical research nurse in the UK.

What is clinical research in nursing?

Nursing research advances our understanding of the health and care of people with disabilities and health issues . In the UK Research leads to improved care plans, procedures, and treatments. This gives a positive result for patients such as quicker recovery, less pain, and a higher quality of life. Research helps to find safety issues during caring and solutions for the issues. Clinical research helps healthcare professionals understand the requirements of each patient in detail. To give the best care possible, the treatment of nurses must be based on recent information and research. Clinical research in nursing has numerous benefits that improve patient care, the nursing profession, and the healthcare system. Observational studies and clinical trials are the two types of clinical research:

1. Observational studies:

In observational studies, researchers collect information from people through surveys, interviews, medical records , and observations. In observational studies, no treatments, interventions, or experimental conditions are used. They only observe and collect information.

2. Clinical trials:

Clinical trials are used to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of medical interventions such as drugs, treatment procedures, and medical devices. A clinical trial helps to analyze if a new treatment or drug is safe and effective for people or has fewer side effects. Clinical trial involves treatments and experimental conditions to collect data.

What are the duties of a clinical research nurse in the UK?

In the field of healthcare, clinical research is essential because it forms the basis for improvements in patient care and evidence-based decision-making . In the UK clinical research nurses are essential for the efficient conduct of clinical trials and studies. Some of the important duties and responsibilities of clinical research nurses include:

1. Patient support in clinical trials:

Clinical research nurses support patients throughout their course of treatment by ensuring the well-being of the patient and they adhere to the clinical trial rules. This responsibility includes maintaining close contact or communication with patients , actively listening to their worries, and guiding them throughout the treatment if they are suffering from any difficulties or doubts.

2. Preparing trial protocol and documentation:

The main responsibility of a clinical research nurse is the preparation and execution of the trial protocol. This document involves the objective of the study, procedure, and guidelines. 

3. Contributing to drug and treatment development:

Clinical research nurses take a main role in the development of new drugs , treatments, and care plans. This mainly involves conducting experimental treatments or interventions on patients, closely observing how they react to these treatments, and preparing documents according to the outcome.

4. Data collection and management:

Clinical research nurses are responsible for gathering accurate data from study participants. This collected information is the basis for the safety and effectiveness of the treatment. Managing the collected data to make it high quality is also the responsibility of the clinical research nurse.

What is the average salary of a clinical research nurse in the UK?

In the UK the salary of the clinical research nurse varies based on factors such as the experience of the person in the research field, location, and type of employer. The average salary of a research nurse in the UK is £36,085 per year. Clinical research nurses in entry-level positions or with less experience earn a salary of £32,082 and research nurses with more experience in this field earn £45,008 per year. Clinical research nurses in areas with high cost of living earn more than areas with lower living expenses. Clinical research nurses working in large research institutions and academic medical centers earn more salary compared to those working in small healthcare organizations.

What are the skills of clinical research nurses in the UK?

To become successful in the field of research they need a variety of skills. Important skills for a successful research nurse include:

1. Patient care skills:

To provide high-quality care for patients involved in research studies, nurses must have excellent clinical skills. This includes conducting evaluations, giving drugs, and keeping track of patient’s health.

2. Communication skills:

Effective communication is important for interacting with patients and research teams. Communication is also important for research nurses to share their findings with patients or other medical experts.

3. Observation skills:

Research nurses are skilled observers who can see minute changes in patient conditions and discover abnormalities in data gathering. Research nurses make significant contributions to research projects by carefully observing and recording patient reactions to treatments or interventions.

4. Active listening:

In addition to hearing the words that patients say, active listening requires understanding their emotions and worries. Active listening helps research nurses improve their positive relations with the patients .

5. Teamwork skills:

The success of any research project depends on the collaboration of research nurses with the team members. Team members include doctors, scientists, and other healthcare professionals.

How to become a clinical research nurse in the UK?

In the UK becoming a clinical nurse involves formal education, training, and experience. Clinical research nurses perform clinical trials and research studies in healthcare settings. Following are the general steps involved in the process of becoming a clinical research nurse.

1. Get a bachelor’s degree in nursing:

The first step to becoming a clinical research nurse is getting a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). BSN degree program provides a solid foundation in nursing theory, practice and patient care. Normally it takes four years to complete. In most BSN programs students can take both academic classes and training sessions, where they can interact with patients and improve their clinical knowledge.

2. Obtain a nursing license:

After completing a bachelor’s degree program must earn a nursing license to become a registered nurse (RN) in the UK. This requires passing the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). This test evaluates the capacity of patient care in nurses and candidates understanding of nursing principles and practices.

3. Choose an area to focus:

Clinical research includes different subfields, and it is important to choose a specific area that fits with the person's interest and goal. Nursing research topics include Cardiac research, Disease and prevention research, Neurological research, Palliative care, Oncology research, and Psychiatric and behavioural research.

4. Gain clinical research experience:

To succeed as a clinical research nurse getting hands-on experience in clinical research settings is very important. A research-intensive hospital is a good place to start and a research nurse position at academic medical institutions, pharmaceutical companies, medical research laboratories, and clinical research organizations is another place to get experience as a clinical research nurse.

5. Obtain the certification:

Getting a certification in research nursing will improve the professional reputation. Certifications like the Certified Clinical Research Professional (CCRP) and the Certified Clinical Research Coordinator (CCRC) are offered by organizations like the Society of Clinical Research Associates (SoCRA) and the Association of Clinical Research Professionals (ACRP).

6. Apply for jobs:

After getting an education, certification, and license applying for research nurse jobs that match with the focus area can start. Networking with industry experts and participating in industry conferences are very helpful for finding job opportunities.  Nurses group ranks among the leading nurse staffing agencies in the UK and you can trust us to find the best nursing opportunities in the UK.

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Thousands of foreign nurses a year leave UK to work abroad

Exclusive: Surge in nurses originally from outside the EU moving overseas prompts concern Britain is a ‘staging post’ in their careers

Almost 9,000 foreign nurses a year could be leaving the UK to work abroad, amid a sudden surge in nurses quitting the already understaffed NHS for better-paid jobs elsewhere.

The rise in nurses originally from outside the EU moving to take up new posts abroad has prompted concerns that Britain is increasingly becoming “a staging post” in their careers.

The number of UK-registered nurses looking to other countries doubled in just one year between 2021-22 and 2022-23 to a record potential 12,400 and has soared fourfold since before the coronavirus pandemic.

Seven out of 10 of those looking to leave last year – 8,680 – qualified as a nurse somewhere other than the UK or EU, often in India or the Philippines. Many had worked in Britain for up to three years, according to research from the Health Foundation.

The vast majority of those quitting are heading to the US, New Zealand or Australia, where nurses are paid much more than in the UK – sometimes up to almost double.

Experts have voiced their alarm about the findings and said the NHS across the UK, already struggling with about 40,000 vacancies for nurses and hugely reliant on those coming from abroad, is increasingly losing out in the global recruitment race.

“It feels like the NHS is falling down the league table as a destination of choice for overseas nurses,” said Dame Anne Marie Rafferty, a professor of nursing studies at King’s College London.

“Worryingly, it feels as if the UK is perceived not as a high- but middle-income country in pay terms and as a staging post where nurses from overseas can acclimatise to western-type health systems in the search for better pay and conditions.”

Last year, 12,400 nurses working in the UK applied for a certificate of current professional status (CCPS), which they need to have to move to work in another country, the Health Foundation report shows. It is not clear exactly how many of these actually went ahead and left the country.

The largest increase among that group was in overseas-trained nurses who had only worked in the UK for three years or less. That pronounced trend in short stays suggests that for many recruits from abroad “the UK may be a stepping-stone prior to moving to other destinations”, the thinktank said.

It pointed out that OECD data showed that while a nurse in the UK earned on average $46,000 a year (£36,500) – “substantially less than in Australia ($71,000 or £56,350), New Zealand ($57,000 or £45,000) and the US ($84,900 or £67,000)”.

Application for a CCPS to work in America rose tenfold between 2021-22 and 2022-23 after a change in its visa policy meant many more foreign nurses were able to move there.

The Royal College of Nursing said the growing exodus of overseas-trained nurses was due to the significant erosion in pay the nursing profession has suffered since 2010.

Prof Pat Cullen, the RCN’s chief executive and general secretary, said: “It is deeply worrying to see more and more overseas nurses choosing to leave the UK. The recruitment of domestic nurses is collapsing and services are gripped by workforce shortages.

“With patient needs already going unmet, the prospect of losing more of our international colleagues doesn’t bear thinking about.

“The reality is that sustained attacks on pay and poor working conditions are leaving the UK’s healthcare services unable to compete on the world stage. International nurses, like all nurses, have every right to choose to work in countries that better value their skills and expertise. It’s no joke that nurse pay in the UK is joint bottom of 35 OECD countries [as a proportion of the national average wage].”

Report co-author Elaine Kelly, the assistant director at the Health Foundation’s research centre, said that, with an acute nursing shortage and so many overseas nurses quitting the UK, “if the NHS is to avoid becoming a stepping stone to careers elsewhere, it needs to be a more attractive place to work for all nurses, regardless of where they were trained”.

She said the brain drain was especially worrying because it cost the NHS about £10,000 to replace each foreign recruit who then moved elsewhere.

The Department of Health and Social Care said it did not recognise the Health Foundation’s figures. The latest Nursing and Midwifery Council data showed fewer nurses – those trained in the UK and outside it – leaving the NHS, a spokesperson said.

“We hugely value the care provided by our fantastic nurses, which is why we negotiated a fair and reasonable deal with the trade unions delivering a 5% pay rise, two additional one-off bonuses equivalent to 6% of pay and a series of non-pay measures to support the NHS workforce [in England].

“We also delivered on our commitment to recruit an additional 50,000 NHS nurses six months early, and the first ever long-term workforce plan – backed by over £2.4bn of government funding – will provide the biggest training expansion in NHS history, ensuring that up to 130,000 fewer staff, including nurses, will leave the NHS over the next 15 years.”

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