Explore leadership jobs at the intersection of clinical care and scientific discovery as a Director of Research Nursing, Inpatient. This senior nursing leadership role is pivotal within academic medical centers and large hospital systems, providing strategic oversight for clinical trials conducted with hospitalized patients. Professionals in these jobs bridge the critical gap between rigorous research protocols and compassionate inpatient care, ensuring scientific integrity while safeguarding patient well-being. Typically, the Director of Research Nursing, Inpatient holds ultimate operational and clinical responsibility for all research nursing activities within the inpatient setting. This involves developing and managing comprehensive workflows for trial implementation, from patient identification and consent to complex intervention delivery and precise data collection. A core duty is building and leading a team of research nurses and coordinators, fostering a culture of excellence, continuous education, and regulatory compliance. The director serves as the principal liaison between the research enterprise—including principal investigators, sponsors, and institutional review boards—and the inpatient clinical units, such as oncology, cardiology, or neurology. This requires seamless collaboration with physicians, unit managers, pharmacists, and other interdisciplinary staff to integrate trial procedures into routine patient care without compromising safety or quality. Common responsibilities for these leadership jobs encompass strategic planning for research portfolio growth, efficient resource and budget management for research staff and equipment, and driving quality improvement initiatives to enhance trial efficiency and patient outcomes. Directors ensure strict adherence to Good Clinical Practice (GCP), FDA regulations, and institutional policies. They are also instrumental in mentoring research nursing staff, resolving operational challenges, and advocating for both patients’ rights and the needs of the research team within the larger hospital administration. Typical skills and requirements for this high-level profession include an active Registered Nurse (RN) license, complemented by an advanced degree such as a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or a related field. Candidates generally possess extensive clinical nursing experience, with a significant portion in clinical research and progressive leadership or administrative roles. Essential competencies include exceptional strategic leadership, financial acumen, and sophisticated interpersonal skills for cross-functional collaboration. A deep understanding of regulatory affairs, protocol complexity, and human subjects protection is mandatory. Success in these demanding jobs requires a unique blend of scientific curiosity, operational expertise, and visionary nursing leadership to advance medicine through inpatient clinical research.
