Research Provides Learning Opportunities for Oncology Nurses

Oncology nurses play a pivotal role in clinical research, helping to ensure patient safety, data accuracy, and the success of new cancer treatments. In an interview with Oncology Nursing News, Josh Settlemire, MSN, RN, OCN, a clinical research coordinator at XCancer Research in Omaha, Nebraska, discusses why more nurses are needed in research and the unique opportunities in the research field.

According to Settlemire, transitioning from bedside care to research requires adapting to new responsibilities, but nurses are supported by a strong network, including principal investigators and clinical research organization (CRO). He explained that nurses are never alone in clinical trials, emphasizing the collaborative nature of clinical trials. Nurses with strong analytical skills and an interest in data may find research particularly rewarding, as the work often involves interpreting pharmacokinetic results and analyzing safety outcomes.

Settlemire added that working in research expands a nurse’s clinical knowledge through interactions with physicians, medical monitors, and multidisciplinary teams. These collaborations offer valuable insights that can be applied to patient care. For nurses seeking professional growth and a chance to influence the future of oncology care, research provides an impactful and intellectually stimulating career path.

Transcript

Started getting my hands dirty with research about 10 years ago. Coming from an ICU, a [progressive care unit], and a step-down unit for oncology into the research arena, there’s a need for nurses. It’s hard to get that. There are so many safety nets underneath you. You have your principal investigator right with you, who is usually a doctor that you work for, but you also have CRO, or clinical research organization, that helps the sponsors get the trial through and get the data in a timely manner.

If you like numbers, that’s a good thing. If you’re good at math, and you chose nursing and you understand stats, there’s always something to look at. But you also get what they call “medical monitors,” which are doctors that have studied this drug before it was even given to patients, so they understand what they saw in the lab. When it’s introduced to the patients, you can compare that with what we’re seeing with their pharmacokinetic draws.

You’re going to be working with different people. You get an array of personalities and experiences here from [the doctors you’ll work with]. You’re not just learning from the doctor that you work for, but vicariously you learn through the doctors that are on these calls. I love to learn by experience, but if I could learn or get a little tidbit about something that I could relate to a patient, then these doctors are awesome.

This transcript has been edited for clarity and conciseness.