Nurse Researcher Career
Medicine is an ever-changing field where new research is constantly being conducted and incorporated into healthcare for better treatment and optimal patient care. Nurse researchers are a key element in this research, and a main conduit for linking nursing with up-to-date research. Nurse researchers are basically scientists who focus on health, illness, and healthcare. Their jobs are multi-faceted and include not only medical research, but incorporating that research into nursing care, sharing that research with the nursing community, writing grants to raise money for research, and publishing their data. They might work as analysts for nonprofit companies, for private healthcare companies, or they could teach in an academic setting.
Nurse Researcher Job Description and Duties
Their main purpose and focus covers a lot of ground: They focus on improving end-of- life care, managing disease and symptoms of illness, patient safety, comfort, and the delivery of healthcare in an effective and cost-efficient manner. Like many nursing specialists, nurse researchers are expected to have an extensive education. In addition to becoming a registered nurse, most nurse researchers earn their Master of Science in Nursing, or often their doctorate. There are also many levels of expertise within the world of research. For instance, it often requires many years of experience assisting others with their research before you can design your own studies, raise funds for them, implement protocol, and apply that knowledge toward nursing. However, even a newly registered nurse can contribute to the field and gain valuable insight and knowledge.
According to Nurse Week magazine, mixing clinical care with research is a good and unique combination for many reasons. Practicing nurses see everyday how patients are reacting to treatment, medication, and what their needs are. They often know where care could be improved to increase patient comfort and responsiveness to medication or treatment. Likewise, if they are engaged or have been involved in research or educated on the results, they are able to implement improvements into their care.
Education Requirements and Salary Information for Nurse Researchers
Because there are extensive education requirements, you should get started now toward earning your nursing degrees. Once you’ve earned your RN or BSN in two to four years and passed your state’s licensing examination, you’ll need at least a master’s degree in nursing if not a doctoral degree. Nurse researchers must also have advanced knowledge of a wide variety of nursing topics, in addition to knowledge of pathology, pharmacology, anatomy, and physiology.
According to cbsalary.com, the average nurse researcher salary is $62,115. This can vary greatly based not only on experience and location, but also on industry and employer. According to Scrubs magazine online, their salaries can reach closer to six figures, rivaling some of the highest paid nurse specialists. As with all nursing jobs, the outlook is excellent. Healthcare is projected to grow extensively for many years as the country struggles to provide adequate care for the expanding aging population. Medical research is ongoing, and as a nurse researcher you can have a place in the important field of medical research.
Accredited MSN and Doctoral Programs for Nurse Researchers
Chicago School of Professional Psychology
Programs: PhD in International Psychology (Online-Blended), PhD in Organizational Leadership (Online-Blended)
Drexel University
Programs: MSN in Clinical Trials Research (Online), MSN in Innovation and Intra/Entrepreneurship in Advanced Nursing Practice (Online), MSN in Nursing Education and Faculty Role (Online), MSN in Nursing Leadership in Health Systems Management (Online)
Frontier Nursing University
Programs: DNP - Nursing Practice (Online), MSN - Nurse-Midwifery (Online)
George Washington University
Programs: Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) (Online), MSN - Adult Nurse Practitioner (Online), MSN - Clinical Research Administration (Online), MSN - Family Nurse Practitioner (Online), MSN - Healthcare Quality (Online), MSN - Nursing Leadership and Management (Online)
Graceland University
Programs: Doctor of Nursing (DNP) (Online), Online MSN - Family Nurse Practitioner, Online MSN - Nurse Educator
Grand Canyon University
Programs: MBA and MS in Nursing Leadership in Health Care Systems - Dual Degree (Online), MBA and MSN in Nursing Leadership in Health Care Systems (Bridge) (Online), MS in Nursing - Public Health (Bridge) (Online), PhD in General Psychology - Cognition and Instruction (Online), PhD in General Psychology - Industrial and Organizational (Online)
Kaplan University
Programs: MS in Nursing (Online), MSN - Adult Gerontology Practitioner (Online), MSN - Family Nurse Practitioner (Online), MSN - Nurse Administrator (Online), MSN - Nurse Educator (Online), MSN - Nurse Informatics (Online)
Northcentral University
Programs: PhD in Business Administration - Industrial/Organizational Psychology (Online), PhD in Marriage & Family Therapy - Child and Adolescent Therapy (Online), PhD in Marriage & Family Therapy - Couple Therapy (Online), PhD in Marriage & Family Therapy - General Family Therapy (Online), PhD in Marriage & Family Therapy - Medical Family Therapy (Online), PhD in Marriage & Family Therapy - Therapy with Military Families (Online), PhD in Psychology - Gender Diversity Studies (Online), PhD in Psychology - General Psychology (Online), PhD in Psychology - Health Psychology (Online), PhD in Psychology - Industrial Organizational Psychology (Online)
Norwich University
Programs: Master of Science in Nursing (Online), Master of Science in Nursing - Nursing Administration (Online), Master of Science in Nursing - Nursing Educator (Online)
Philadelphia University
Programs: Master's in Nursing - Midwife (Online), Post-Master's Certificate in Nursing - Midwife (Online)
Saybrook University
Programs: PhD in Psychology (Online), PhD in Psychology - Clinical Psychology Specialization (Online)
South University
Programs: Master of Science in Nursing (Online), Master of Science in Nursing - Nurse Educator (Online)
Stevens-Henager College
Programs: Master of Science in Nursing Administration (Online), Master of Science in Nursing Education (Online)
University of Cincinnati
Programs: MSN - Clinical Nurse Specialist/Nurse Educator (Online), MSN - Nurse-Midwifery (Online), MSN - Nursing Administration (Online), MSN - Women's Health Nurse Practitioner (Online)
Walden University
Programs: Doctor of Nursing Practice (D.N.P.) - General (Online), MS in Nursing (RN-MS) (Online), MS in Nursing (RN-MS) Education (Online), MS in Nursing (RN-MS) Informatics (Online), MS in Nursing (RN-MS) Leadership and Management (Online), PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision - Counseling and Social Change (Online), PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision - General (Online), PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision - Trauma and Crisis (Online), PhD in Health Services - Community Health Education & Advocacy - Course-Based (Online), PhD in Health Services - Community Health Education & Advocacy - Self-Directed (Online), PhD in Health Services - Health Care Administration - Course-Based (Online), PhD in Health Services - Health Care Administration - Self-Directed (Online), PhD in Health Services - Health Management & Policy - Self-Directed (Online), PhD in Health Services - Leadership - Course-Based (Online), PhD in Health Services - Leadership - Self-Directed (Online), PhD in Health Services - Public Health Policy - Course-Based (Online), PhD in Health Services - Public Health Policy - Self-Directed (Online), PhD in Health Services - Self-Designed - Course-Based (Online), PhD in Health Services - Self-Designed - Self-Directed (Online), PhD in Human Services (Online), PhD in Human Services (Self-Directed) (Online), PhD in Human Services - Course-Based - Clinical Social Work (Online), PhD in Human Services - Course-Based - Counseling (Online), PhD in Human Services - Course-Based - Criminal Justice (Online), PhD in Human Services - Course-Based - Disaster, Crisis, and Intervention (Online), PhD in Human Services - Course-Based - Family Studies and Intervention Studies (Online), PhD in Human Services - Course-Based - General (Online), PhD in Human Services - Course-Based - Human Services Administration (Online), PhD in Human Services - Course-Based - Public Health (Online), PhD in Human Services - Course-Based - Social Policy Analysis and Planning (Online), PhD in Human Services - Criminal Justice (Online), PhD in Human Services - Criminal Justice (Self-Directed) (Online), PhD in Human Services - Self-Designed (Online), PhD in Human Services - Self-Directed - Clinical Social Work (Online), PhD in Human Services - Self-Directed - Counseling (Online), PhD in Human Services - Self-Directed - Criminal Justice (Online), PhD in Human Services - Self-Directed - Family Studies and Intervention Studies (Online), PhD in Human Services - Self-Directed - General (Online), PhD in Human Services - Self-Directed - Human Services Administration (Online), PhD in Human Services - Self-Directed - Social Policy Analysis and Planning (Online), PhD in Psychology - Clinical Psychology (Online), PhD in Psychology - Counseling Psychology (Online), PhD in Psychology - General Educational Psychology (Online), PhD in Psychology - General Research Evaluation (Online), PhD in Psychology - Health Psychology (Online), PhD in Psychology - Organizational Psychology (Online), PhD in Public Health (Online), PhD in Public Health - Community Health Promotion & Education (Online), PhD in Public Health - Epidemiology (Online), Post-Master's Certificate - Nursing Education (Online), Post-Master's Certificate - Nursing Informatics (Online), Post-Master's Certificate - Nursing Leadership & Management (Online)
Western Governors University
Programs: MS in Nursing - Education (Online), MS in Nursing - Leadership & Management (Online)
American Sentinel University
Programs: Doctor of Nursing Practice in Executive Leadership, Master of Science in Nursing - Case Management, Master of Science in Nursing - Infection Prevention and Control, Master of Science in Nursing - Nursing Education, Master of Science in Nursing - Nursing Informatics, Master of Science in Nursing - Nursing Management and Organizational Leadership, Registered Nurse (RN) to Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)
Brandman University
Programs: BSN to DNP - Adult Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, BSN to DNP - Family Psychiatric and Mental Health Nurse Practitioner , BSN to DNP - Gerontological Nurse Practitioner - Gerontology, BSN to DNP - Neonatal Nurse Practitioner , BSN to DNP - Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, Post-Masters to DNP
California University of Pennsylvania
Program: Master of Science in Nursing - Nursing Administration and Leadership
Capella University
Programs: MSN - Diabetes Nursing, MSN - Nurse Educator, MSN - Nurse Educator Bridge, MSN - Nursing Leadership and Administration, MSN – Gerontology Nursing, PhD - Counselor Education and Supervision, PhD - Educational Psychology, PhD - General Psychology, PhD - Health Care Administration, PhD - Industrial/Organizational Psychology, PhD - Multidisciplinary Human Services, PhD - Nursing Education, PhD - Social and Community Services
Drexel University Online
Programs: MSN in Clinical Trials Research, MSN in Contemporary Nursing Faculty, MSN in Innovation and Intra/Entrepreneurship in Advanced Nursing Practice, MSN in Nursing Leadership in Health Systems Management
Georgetown University
Programs: Master of Science in Nursing - Nursing Education, Master of Science in Nursing, Family Nurse Practitioner, Master of Science in Nursing, Nurse Midwifery/ Women's Health Nurse Practitioner
Gonzaga University
Programs: MS in Nursing - Health Systems Leadership, MS in Nursing - Nurse Educator, RN to MSN - Health Systems Leadership, RN to MSN - Nurse Educator
Grand Canyon University
Programs: Bridge to MS in Nursing: Nursing Education (RN License Required), MBA and MS in Nursing - Nursing Leadership in Health Care Systems (Bridge), MBA and MS in Nursing - Nursing Leadership in Health Care Systems (Dual Degree), MS in Nursing - Health Care Informatics, MS in Nursing - Health Care Informatics (Bridge), MS in Nursing - Leadership in Health Care Systems (RN License Required) (Bridge), MS in Nursing - Nursing Leadership in Health Care Systems, MS in Nursing - Public Health (Bridge)
Grantham University
Programs: Master of Science Nursing - Case Management, Master of Science Nursing - Nursing Education, Master of Science Nursing - Nursing Informatics, Master of Science Nursing - Nursing Management & Organizational Leadership, RN to MSN Option
Herzing University
Programs: Master of Science in Nursing with a Concentration in Nursing Education, Master of Science in Nursing with a Concentration in Nursing Management
Kaplan University
Programs: M.S. in Nursing, M.S. in Nursing - Nurse Administrator, M.S. in Nursing - Nurse Educator, M.S. in Nursing - Nurse Informatics
Lewis University
Programs: Master of Science in Nursing - Nursing Administration, Master of Science in Nursing - Nursing Education
Loyola University New Orleans Online
Programs: BLEND Program (MSN Bridge), Master of Science in Nursing - Health Care Systems Management
Norwich University
Programs: Master of Science in Nursing, Master of Science in Nursing - Nursing Administration, Master of Science in Nursing - Nursing Educator
Ohio University
Programs: Master of Science in Nursing, Master of Science in Nursing - Family Nurse Practitioner, Master of Science in Nursing - Nurse Administrator, Master of Science in Nursing - Nurse Educator
Sacred Heart University
Programs: Master's in Nursing - Clinical Nurse Leader, Master's in Nursing - Nursing Education, Master's in Nursing - Patient Care Services Administration, RN-BSN-MSN – Clinical Nurse Leader, RN-BSN-MSN – Nurse Education, RN-BSN-MSN – Patient Care Administration
Saint Xavier University
Programs: Master of Science in Nursing - Clinical Leadership, Master of Science in Nursing - Executive Leadership
South University
Programs: Master of Science in Nursing, Master of Science in Nursing - Accelerated RN-MSN, Master of Science in Nursing - Accelerated RN-MSN - Adult Health Nurse Practitioner, Master of Science in Nursing - Accelerated RN-MSN - Nurse Educator, Master of Science in Nursing - Adult Health Nurse Practitioner
University of Cincinnati
Programs: Master of Science in Nursing - Clinical Nurse Specialist and Nurse Educator, Master of Science in Nursing - Nurse Midwifery, Master of Science in Nursing - Nursing Administration, Master of Science in Nursing - Psychiatric and Mental Health or Nurse Practitioner, Master of Science in Nursing - Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner
University of Colorado Denver
Program: Master of Science in Nursing Leadership and Health Care Systems
University of Phoenix
Programs: Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing, Master of Science in Nursing, Master of Science in Nursing / Health Administration, Master of Science in Nursing / Health Care Education, Master of Science in Nursing / Informatics, Master of Science in Nursing / Master of Business Administration - Health Care Management
While widely available, not all programs are available in all locations or
in both online and on-campus formats. Please check with a University Enrollment Representative.
University of San Francisco
Programs: Master of Science in Nursing - Associate's Track, Master of Science in Nursing - Bachelor's Track
Walden University
Programs: Doctor of Nursing Practice (D.N.P) - General, Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) BSN Track - Education, Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) BSN Track - General, Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) BSN Track - Informatics, Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) BSN Track - Leadership and Management, Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) RN Track - Informatics, Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) RN Track - Education, Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) RN Track - General, Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) RN Track - Leadership and Management
Western Governors University
Programs: M.S. in Nursing - Education, M.S. in Nursing - Education (RN to MSN Option), M.S. in Nursing - Leadership and Management, M.S. in Nursing - Leadership and Management (RN to MSN Option)
Master's in Nursing and Doctoral Nursing Programs by State
Arizona
Grand Canyon University
Campuses: Evening Campus | Evening Satellite
Programs: M.S in Nursing: Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, M.S in Nursing: Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (Bridge), M.S in Nursing: Adult Clinical Nurse Specialist, M.S in Nursing: Family Nurse Practitioner, M.S in Nursing: Family Nurse Practitioner (Bridge), M.S. in Nursing with an Emphasis in Leadership in Health Care Systems (Bridge), M.S. in Nursing: Nursing Education (Bridge)
CollegeAmerica
Programs: Master of Science in Nursing Administration (Online), Master of Science in Nursing Education (Online)
California
California College San Diego
Campus: San Marcos
Programs: MS in Nursing Administration (Online), MS in Nursing Education (Online)
Fielding Graduate University
Campus: Santa Barbara
Programs: PhD in Clinical Psychology, PhD in Media Psychology
Saybrook University
Campus: San Francisco
Program: PhD in Psychology - Jungian Studies Specialization (Hybrid In-residence + Distance)
Pacifica Graduate Institute
Campus: Carpenteria
Programs: MA/PhD in Depth Psychology, PhD in Clinical Psychology, PhD in Depth Psychology - Psychotherapy
Rosemead School of Psychology at Biola University
Campus: La Mirada
Program: PhD in Clinical Psychology
Colorado
CollegeAmerica
Campuses: Fort Collins | Colorado Springs | Denver | South Colorado Springs Education Center
Programs: Master of Science in Nursing Administration (Online), Master of Science in Nursing Education (Online)
District of Columbia
Chicago School of Professional Psychology
Campus: Washington D.C.
Program: PhD in International Psychology
Florida
Keiser University
Campuses: Lakeland | Port St. Lucie
Program: Master of Science in Nursing (Online)
Idaho
Stevens-Henager College
Campuses: Idaho Falls | Boise | Nampa - Satellite of Boise
Programs: Master of Science in Nursing Administration (Online), Master of Science in Nursing Education (Online)
Illinois
Olivet Nazarene University
Campus: Bourbonnais
Programs: Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), Master of Science in Nursing - Family Nurse Practitioner
Chicago School of Professional Psychology
Campus: Chicago
Programs: PhD in Applied Behavior Analysis, PhD in International Psychology, PhD in Organizational Leadership
New Jersey
Monmouth University
Campus: West Long Branch
Programs: Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), Forensic Nursing, Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), MS in Nursing - Advanced Practice - Adult, MS in Nursing - Advanced Practice - Adult Psychiatric and Mental Health, MS in Nursing - Advanced Practice - Family, MS in Nursing - Nursing Administration, MS in Nursing - Nursing Education, Post-Master's Certificate - Nursing Administration, Post-Master's Certificate - Nursing Education, School Nursing
New York
D'Youville College
Campus: Buffalo
Programs: Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), MS Community Health Nursing
New York University
Campus: New York
Programs: Advanced Practice Nursing: Adult Nurse Practitioner/Holistic Nurse Practitioner, Advanced Practice Nursing: Adult Nurse Practitioner/Palliative Care Nurse Practitioner, Advanced Practice Nursing: Adult Primary Care/Holistic Nursing, Advanced Practice Nursing: Adult Primary Care/Palliative Care Nursing, Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), Doctoral Program in Research and Theory Development in Nursing Science, Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), MSN - Advanced Practice Nursing - Adult Acute Care, MSN - Advanced Practice Nursing - Adult Primary Care, MSN - Advanced Practice Nursing - Adult Primary Care/Geriatrics, MSN - Advanced Practice Nursing - Geriatrics, MSN - Advanced Practice Nursing - Mental Health, MSN - Advanced Practice Nursing - Pediatrics, Post-Master's Certificate - Advanced Practice Nursing- Adult Acute Care, Post-Master's Certificate - Advanced Practice Nursing- Adult Primary Care, Post-Master's Certificate - Advanced Practice Nursing- Adult Primary Care/Geriatrics, Post-Master's Certificate - Advanced Practice Nursing- Geriatrics, Post-Master's Certificate - Advanced Practice Nursing- Mental Health, Post-Master's Certificate - Advanced Practice Nursing- Pediatrics, Post-Master's Certificate - Nursing Administration, Post-Master's Certificate - Nursing Education, Post-Master's Certificate - Nursing Informatics
Utah
Stevens-Henager College
Campuses: Layton | Salt Lake City | Lehi | Provo | Ogden | Logan
Programs: Master of Science in Nursing Administration, Master of Science in Nursing Administration (Online), Master of Science in Nursing Education, Master of Science in Nursing Education (Online)
Wyoming
CollegeAmerica
Campus: Cheyenne
Programs: Master of Science in Nursing Administration (Online), Master of Science in Nursing Education (Online)
Back to Top | Explore More Nursing Career Options
(Sources: National Institute for Nurse Research, http://jobs.nih.gov, http://nurseweek.com)
