Nurse Researcher Career Overview

March 04, 2025

What Is a Nurse Researcher?

A nurse researcher designs and conducts scientific studies to improve patient outcomes and healthcare delivery. Nurse researchers can work directly with patients by screening and enrolling research participants, collecting research data, and providing nursing care according to clinical trial protocols. Nurses, physicians, pharmacists, therapists, and other healthcare providers work as medical research teams. Nursing research requires strong teamwork skills, great attention to detail, and the ability to communicate findings and meet regulatory requirement

What Does a Nurse Researcher Do?

Educating patients on what to expect during research
Collecting data from patients, such as medical histories
Collecting samples from patients, such as blood and urine
Monitoring patient vital signs and symptoms
Recording detailed patient data, including side effects

How Much Does a Nurse Researcher Make Per Year?

RNs in the U.S. earn a median hourly wage of $41.38 or $86,070 a year. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics does not report data for each nursing specialty, but pay can be based on experience, employer, and location across all specialties. Nurse researchers are generally paid more in heavily-populated urban locations or in areas where healthcare access is very limited such as Alaska. RNs reported significant differences in pay based on location alone.

How Do I Become a Nurse Researcher?

Nursing research offers multiple paths to advanced practice or leadership roles for experienced RNs. But first, you must complete an associate’s or bachelor’s degree in nursing. A Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) is preferred by most employers. BSN programs are usually four years in length but can be as short as 18 months for qualified applicants. After graduation, you are eligible to take the NCLEX-RN examination. The NCLEX is at least 85 questions long and computer-based. Upon passing the exam, you become an RN and can apply for licensure in the state where you wish to practice. State applications can vary, but all states require a background check.

Once established as a bedside nurse, an RN can immediately start participating in research by joining research committees and participating in ongoing research at their place of employment, such as infection rates for certain patients. Many employers incentivize research projects that are completed by RNs. For example, an RN could identify a recurring problem, design an intervention, educate coworkers on a new policy, and then collect data to measure the outcome of the intervention. Employers may offer higher pay or a bonus for research that results in improved health and safety for patients and caregivers.

What Are the Benefits of Being a Nurse Researcher?

Research nurses can explore a wide range of employment opportunities with many different patient populations. Enabling measurable improvements in patients’ health can be very professionally fulfilling. Nurse researchers will also encounter patients that don’t improve or projects that don’t perform as well as planned; these difficult circumstances can still improve healthcare, and nurse researchers are uniquely positioned to advocate for patients’ well-being throughout the research process. Opportunities for career advancement through education are varied and offer increased pay and autonomy for nurse researchers. At all education levels, nurse researchers are able to create measurable improvements in the lives of others.

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