Towards Clarification of the Role of Research Nurses in New Zealand: A Literature Review (Report‪)‬

Background Research nurses (also referred to as clinical research nurses, research or study co-ordinators, or research assistants) are nurses employed to assist in the management and conduct of clinical trials and clinical research. They are found across a wide range of clinical and research settings, in roles that vary from simple data collection to complex study coordination or leadership positions. Most commonly, research nurses are involved in biomedical studies that evaluate therapeutic interventions such as drugs, devices, and clinical practices. The trials can range from large commercial multi-centre randomised controlled trials to small observational studies or audits of practice. Research nurses are distinct from nurse researchers, with the title 'nurse researcher' generally referring to those practicing as independent researchers and leading nursing focused research, often as an academic post.