- 29 March 2023
- 9 min read
Job Interview Questions for Clinical Research Nurses
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Perhaps you are considering a change of direction and would like to apply for a job in clinical research? Entering a different area can be both an exciting and daunting time, and you may have some questions about how to prepare yourself for an interview. This article will help you consider some points to research beforehand so you can build your confidence.
Reasons For Going Into Research
Firstly, consider your ‘why’. Why are you applying for this job?
Maybe you have no research background, but you heard about the role from someone else who works in research, and it sounds like an interesting field. Maybe research has always been in the back of your mind as a potential area to work in after you have gained enough clinical experience. Or perhaps you have little idea what it involves, but you just feel like trying something new.
Your potential employer will want to recruit someone who has an interest in research and can show how they can make a positive contribution to the clinical trial team. They are likely to ask you to demonstrate some understanding of why you think research is important.
Here are some ideas:
Understand The Context
History: Read a little about the development of research over the last century and educate yourself about the pivotal historical moments which have shaped current practices, such as the notorious Nuremberg Trials, and the subsequent Declaration of Helsinki in 1964.
Regulations: Research is regulated by legal and ethical frameworks which ensure it is carried out to the highest standards in the safest possible manner. The Gold Standard is the Good Clinical Practice set of guidelines. You may be asked to name one or two of these, or at least show you are familiar with their purpose. You can find out more about GCP on the National Institute of Health and Care Research website, which is the main body which funds and supports the delivery of research across the UK.
Legality: You might be asked to explain the importance of informed consent, which needs to be given by every participant before taking part in a research study. Clinical Research Nurses play an important role in helping participants to understand what the trial involves, and making sure they are fully aware of both the risks and potential benefits.
About this contributor
Band 6 Registered Nurse
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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