Duties, Responsibilities, Schooling, Requirements, Certifications, Job Outlook, and Salary

There are a variety of nursing specialties that registered nurses (RNs) can pursue upon earning their license. Every nursing career has its own distinctive job responsibilities, work environments, and perks. There are also varying educational requirements depending on the position. In this article, we’ll take a look at the RNs that are finding new ways to save lives, nurse researchers.

Nurse researchers are highly trained nurses that conduct scientific research into various aspects of healthcare. Nurse researchers create and implement scientific studies to improve healthcare services and patient outcomes.

For anyone looking to play a part in changing healthcare for the better, here’s a guide on how to become a nurse researcher. With this guide, you will understand the role of a nurse researcher, their job responsibilities, educational requirements, job outlook, and salary.

Nurse Researcher Definition

What Is a Nurse Researcher?

A nurse researcher is an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) that studies various aspects of healthcare and illness. It is their responsibility to apply the rigor of scientific research to discover new methods for improving healthcare services and outcomes.

Nurse researchers have advanced training in scientific research and data collection in addition to their nursing training and certification.

Nurse Researcher: Job Description

What Does a Nurse Researcher Do?

As previously mentioned, nurse researchers design and implement scientific studies to improve healthcare services and patient outcomes. Their area of study within healthcare depends on their specialization and where they work. Some nurse researchers study diseases and illnesses, while others may study clinical trials to oversee a new treatment method or medication.

Nurse researchers are also responsible for finding subjects which are best suited to participate in their studies. Upon completion of their study, it’s their responsibility to compile their data into a report to share their findings with their immediate supervisors. Eventually, their research findings may also circulate to the larger healthcare community and public.

Nurse Researcher Jobs

Where Do Nurse Researchers Work?

Due to their high level of training and expertise, nurse researchers can work in a variety of healthcare settings. These include hospitals, research organizations, universities, and government agencies.

Some of the day-to-day responsibilities of nurse researchers include:

• Creating and implementing scientific research studies
• Supervising and observing patient care, treatments, or procedures
• Collecting and analyzing data and information throughout their study
• Compiling research findings into a report
• Presenting research outcomes to superiors
• Presenting results at conferences, meetings, and other speaking engagements
• Recruiting participants for studies

Nurse Researcher Schooling & Certification

How Long Does It Take to Become a Nurse Researcher?

What Degree Do You Need to Be a Nurse Researcher?

Like many of the highest paid nursing jobs, nurse researchers must be prepared to dedicate around 6 to 8 years towards higher education. Employers also favor candidates with sufficient experience in conducting clinical research. For that reason, many nurse researchers begin their careers as research assistants to gain enough experience for this highly specialized role.

Here are the steps required to become a nurse researcher:

1. Earn your Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree

The first step to becoming a nurse researcher is earning your BSN, or Bachelor of Science in Nursing Degree. A BSN program will take about three to four years to complete unless you’ve already earned your associate’s degree in nursing (ADN). Students who’ve already earned their ADN can enroll in an RN-BSN program which can be completed in as little as 20 months.

If you are a licensed vocational nurse with an associates degree in vocational nursing (ASVN), you can also earn your BSN degree through an advanced placement option (LVN to BSN). This accelerated nursing program allows you to skip the first year (three semesters) of the BSN program.

2. Pass the NCLEX-RN exam

Once you’ve earned your BSN, you’ll have to pass the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) to earn your nursing license. With the NCLEX, you’ll be certified to enter the workforce as a registered nurse (RN).

3. Earn a master’s or doctoral degree

Earning a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or doctorate degree from an accredited institution is required for becoming a nurse researcher. An MSN degree is the most common graduate degree earned by nurse researchers. You may also obtain your Ph.D. from an accredited institution. Depending on the type of research, some nurse researcher positions may require a Ph.D.. MSN degrees usually take about 18 – 24 months to complete, while doctorate degrees typically require 2-3 years of full-time education.

4. Gain experience working in clinical research

In order to be eligible for a nurse researcher certification exam, you’ll have to gain experience working as an RN in clinical research. The Society for Clinical Research Associates (SOCRA) requires two years of practice as a full-time registered nurse conducting clinical research to be eligible for their exam.

The Association of Clinical Research Professionals (ACRP) also requires a requisite number of hours of professional experience working as a nurse researcher prior to sitting for many of their exams.  

5. Pass the Nurse Researcher Certification exam

Upon receiving your Master’s or Doctorate degree, and completed your eligibility requirements, you may be required to earn a research certification for the position you wish to obtain. The Society for Clinical Research Associates (SOCRA) offers the Certified Clinical Research certification (CCRP).

The Association of Clinical Research Professionals (ACRP) offers several certifications in clinical research as well.

The eligibility requirements for each certification varies by exam. It’s crucial that you determine which certification is best for the position you are applying for and the career path you’d like to take.

Nurse Researcher Salary

How Much Do Nurse Researchers Make?

Nurse researchers rank amongst the highest paid nursing categories in the US. According to ExploreHealthCareers.org, the median annual wage earned by nurse researchers is $95,000.

What Is the Job Outlook for Nurse Researchers?

Unfortunately, the Bureau of Labor Statistics does not report any specific data on the job outlook of nurse researchers. However, it does indicate that the overall employment of medical scientists is projected to grow eight percent (8%) by 2026. This is slightly higher than the average growth of all occupations (7%).

APRNs will be increasingly utilized in team-based models of care. They will also be needed to care for the large, aging baby-boom population.

Nurse Researcher Career

Are You Ready to Start Your Career as a Nurse Researcher?

Although the educational requirements may be extensive, the boost in salary and job outlook make up for lost time.

Nurse researchers have the unique opportunity to improve our healthcare system and patient outcomes. The job is perfect for anyone who feels passionate about using scientific research to change the world. The work they do has the potential to affect millions of lives.

If you feel ready to begin your journey as a nurse researcher, you can start by earning your BSN degree at Provo College. Click here to learn more about our BSN program.

Duties, Responsibilities, Schooling, Requirements, Certifications, Job Outlook, and Salary

There are a variety of nursing specialties that registered nurses (RNs) can pursue once they’ve earned their license. Every specialty has its own unique job responsibilities, work environments, and perks. There are also varying educational requirements depending on the position. Nurses who are passionate about helping patients through pregnancy, labor, and childbirth may find becoming a nurse-midwife the next step in their careers.

Nurse-midwives are highly trained nurses that specialize in the primary and reproductive care for women and their children. They work with mothers to ensure their safety during childbirth as well as the safety of the newborn child.

For anyone considering this noble profession, we put together a comprehensive guide on how to become a nurse-midwife. Continue reading to further understand the role of a nurse-midwife, their responsibilities, education requirements, job outlook, and salary.

Nurse Midwife Definition

What Is a Nurse Midwife?

A nurse-midwife is an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) who is responsible for the gynecologic and primary care of women. Nurse-midwives specialize in women’s reproductive health and childbirth. They provide care to expectant mothers and their newborn babies during child labor and post-delivery.

Nurse Midwife: Job Description

What Does a Nurse Midwife Do?

As previously mentioned, nurse-midwives play a major role during childbirth. Their biggest responsibility is to ensure the safety of mother and child throughout the delivery process.

However, nurse-midwives also support the health and wellness of their patients before and after child delivery. They provide family planning services, gynecological checkups, and prenatal care.

Nurse Midwife Jobs

Where Do Nurse Midwives Work?

Since nurse-midwives have certification in both nursing and midwifery, there are several healthcare settings where they can work, both public and private. These include hospitals, birth centers, universities, and private physician practices.

Some of the daily responsibilities held by a nurse-midwife include:

• Performing routine gynecological checkups
• Coaching and caring for mothers throughout the labor and childbirth process
• Educating women on their child-birth options based on their unique health conditions
• Helping mothers create birth plans based on their preferences
• Teaching new moms how to breastfeed and care for their babies
• Providing newborn care for the first 28 days

Nurse Midwife Schooling & Certification

How Long Does It Take to Become a Nurse Midwife?

What Degree Do You Need to be a Nurse Midwife?

Like many of the highest paid nursing specialties, nurse midwives must be prepared to dedicate around 6 to 8 years towards higher education. Included in this time estimate is a period of general work experience, preferably in labor and delivery or maternal/newborn areas. That’s because many nurse mid-wife programs and employers prefer candidates with previous RN experience. Prospective nurse mid-wives will typically spend a few years on the job before applying to a graduate program.

With that in mind, here are the steps to becoming a nurse-midwife:

1. Earn your Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree

The first step to becoming a nurse-midwife is earning your Bachelor of Science in Nursing Degree (BSN). A BSN program will take about four years to complete unless you’ve already earned your associate’s degree in nursing (ADN). Students who’ve already earned their ADN can enroll in an RN-BSN program which can be completed in as little as 20 months.

2. Pass the NCLEX-RN exam

Once you’ve earned your BSN, you’ll have to pass the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) to earn your nursing license. Once you’ve passed the NCLEX, you’ll be certified as a nurse (RN) and prepared to jump into the workforce.

3. Gain Experience Working as an RN

Before applying to a midwifery program, candidates usually have at least one year of experience working as an RN. RNs with prior work experience have acquired a solid foundation in nursing and are better prepared to become effective nurse midwives, once they’ve graduated.

Furthermore, many graduate schools require a few years of experience before accepting students into their nurse practitioner programs.

4. Earn a Graduate Degree from an ACME-Approved Program

To become a certified nurse-midwife (CNM), candidates must earn a Master of Science in Nursing degree (MSN) from a program accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Midwifery Education (ACME). An MSN degree is the most common graduate degree earned by nurse-midwives. You may also obtain your Ph.D. from an ACME-approved program. MSN degrees usually take about 18-24 months to complete, while doctorate degrees typically require 2-3 years of full-time education.

5. Pass the National Certification Exam

Once you’ve earned your graduate degree, you’ll be one step away from officially becoming a nurse-midwife. Before entering the workforce, you’ll need to pass the official midwifery exam offered by the American Midwifery Certification Board (AMCB). The examination is computer-based and consists of 175 multiple-choice questions. Each candidate is given four hours to complete the exam.

Nurse Midwife Salary

How Much Do Nurse Midwives Make?

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that the median annual wage for nurse midwives was $103,770 as of May 2018.

The lowest 10 percent of nurse-midwives earned less than $70,100, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $151,070.

Nurse-midwives rank amongst the highest paying nursing specialties.

Highest Paying Industries for Nurse Midwives

Some of the highest paying industries for nurse midwives include:

Highest Paying States for Nurse Midwives

Some of the highest paying states for nurse midwives include:

Highest Paying Cities for Nurse Midwives

Some of the highest paying cities for nurse midwives include:

What Is the Job Outlook for Nurse Midwives?

The BLS reports that overall employment of nurse midwives will grow 21% by 2026. This is significantly higher than the average growth of all occupations (7%).

The overall job growth will occur due to an increase in the demand for health services. As the population continues to grow, more nurse-midwives will be needed to assist in pregnancies and childbirths.

Nurse Midwife Career

Are You Ready to Start Your Career as a Nurse Midwife?

Pregnancy and childbirth are some of the most important moments in a woman’s life. Nurse midwifery is a great option for those who are passionate about childbirth and looking to make a career out of providing care to mothers in need. While the educational requirements are extensive, the difference in salary and job responsibilities will make up for the time spent in school. If you’re looking to become a nurse-midwife, you can start by earning your BSN degree at Provo College.

Click here to learn more about our BSN program.

Duties, Responsibilities, Schooling, Requirements, Certifications, Job Outlook, and Salary

Registered nurses (RN) have the unique ability to choose what they’d like to do with their careers after they’ve earned their license. There are several different nursing specialties to choose from, all with their own job responsibilities, work environments, and perks. Each of these specialties require different levels of education and certification as well. Becoming a pain management nurse is a great way to individualize your career as an RN; not to mention the position ranks among the top paying nursing jobs.

Pain management nurses are directly involved with the care of patients when they need the most relief from pain or trauma. Their main responsibility is to assess patients to determine the cause and extent of their pain, and then properly administer medication to relieve that pain.

We’ve put together a comprehensive guide for anyone who’s wondering how to become a pain management nurse. Continue reading to find out what you need to do to become a pain management nurse, as well as what makes this career so rewarding.

Pain Management Nurse Definition

What is a Pain Management Nurse (RN-BC)?

A pain management nurse is a registered nurse (RN) that specializes in helping patients deal with acute and chronic pain. Patients dealing with pain must be given the proper amount of medication in order to provide relief, without putting the patient in danger. Due to the increase in opioid abuse over the last decade, pain management nurses are needed to ensure proper medications are being administered while avoiding the risks associated with over-dependence or addiction for their patients.

Pain Management Nurse: Job Description

What Does a Pain Management Nurse Do?

Pain managements nurses are mainly tasked with helping patients manage their pain. They begin by assessing their patients in order to determine the cause and severity of their pain. From there, they determine which form of medication will effectively help them. Educating patients on how they should cope with their pain or discomfort is also a crucial part of their job description. This prevents patients from forming addictive habits from any narcotic pain medications they’re given. In response to the recent spike in addiction, pain management nurses try to find alternative pain management techniques that don’t always require the use of narcotics.

Pain Management Nurse Jobs

Where Do Pain Management Nurses Work?

As a pain management nurse, you can find employment in several different healthcare facilities such as hospitals, clinics, and physician centers.

Some of the daily responsibilities held by a pain management nurse include:

• Assessing individual medical and psychosocial patient care needs
• Working with physician to develop a plan of care
• Educating patients on treatments and recovery
• Documenting patient response to treatment

Pain Management Nurse Schooling

How Long Does it Take to Become a Pain Management Nurse?

What Degree Do You Need to be a Pain Management Nurse?

In order to become a pain management nurse, you’ll need to spend 2-4 years in school earning your nursing degree (ADN or BSN). Once you’ve earned your certification, there are minimum requirements you must meet before you can apply for the pain management specialty certification. Here are the steps you’ll need to take in order to become a pain management nurse:

1. Earn your Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree: The first step in becoming a Pain Management Nurse is earning your ADN or BSN degree. An ADN can take around 18 – 24 months to complete. A BSN will take about 4 years, unless you’ve already earned your associate’s degree in nursing (ADN). Students who’ve already earned their ADN can enroll in an RN-BSN program which can be completed in as little as 20 months. Many healthcare organizations prefer a BSN degree. In some cases, a BSN degree is considered a minimum requirement for employment. Keep that in mind when considering your chosen path to earning your nursing license.
2. Pass the NCLEX-RN exam: Once you’ve earned your ADN or BSN, you’ll have to pass the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) in order to earn your nursing license. Once you’ve passed the NCLEX, you’ll be certified as a nurse and prepared to jump into the workforce.
3. Earn your Pain Management Nurse Certification – The Registered Nurse-Board Certified Credential in Pain Management (RN-BC): To work as a pain management nurse, you’ll have to complete the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s (ANCC) exam specializing in pain management. These are the eligibility requirements for this certification according to the ANCC…

• • Hold a current, active RN license
  • Have practiced the equivalent of 2 years full-time as a registered nurse
  • Have practiced in a nursing role that involves aspects of pain management for at least 2,000 hours in the 3 years prior to applying for the examination
  • Have completed 30 hours of continuing education in the 3 years prior to taking the exam, of which a minimum of 15 hours must be related to pain management

The exam is computer-based and is offered during a 90-day period at a location nearest to you. You’ll be given 3 hours to complete the exam which consists of 150 questions. The exam costs $270 for members of the American Nurses Association, and $395 for non-members. The credential is valid for 5 years, and you can continue to use the credential by submitting a renewal application up to 1 year prior to expiration.

Pain Management Nurse Salary

How Much Do Pain Management Nurse Make?

According to Indeed, pain management nurses make an average annual salary of $110,107. Salaries may vary depending on the city and state of employment, organization of employment, and degrees or certifications held. Pain management nurses make the 2^nd most out of all the highest paid nursing specialties.

What is the Job Outlook for Pain Management Nurses?

The Bureau of Labor Statistics does not provide any specific data pertaining to the job outlook of pain management nurses. However, it does report that employment of registered nurses as a whole will grow 15% by 2026. As employment grows for all registered nurses, RN’s that are specialized in pain management will most likely have a greater job outlook than those without certification.

Pain Management Nursing Career

Are you ready to start your career as a Pain Management Nurse?

Becoming a pain management nurse requires a commitment to patience. You’ll have to spend time working as an RN before you can apply to earn your pain management certification. However, once you’ve put the time and effort in, earning that certification will allow you to maximize your earning potential as a nurse. You’ll also find yourself having greater responsibilities at your job, which for many can be very rewarding. If you’re looking to become a pain management nurse, you can start by earning your BSN degree at Provo College. To learn more about our BSN program, click here.