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The differences between clinical trials associates and research nurses can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a clinical trials associate and a research nurse. Additionally, a clinical trials associate has an average salary of $74,952, which is higher than the $53,463 average annual salary of a research nurse.
The top three skills for a clinical trials associate include informed consent, patients and clinical operations. The most important skills for a research nurse are patients, informed consent, and data collection.
| Clinical Trials Associate | Research Nurse | |
| Yearly salary | $74,952 | $53,463 |
| Hourly rate | $36.03 | $25.70 |
| Growth rate | 6% | 6% |
| Number of jobs | 55,487 | 46,665 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 62% | Bachelor's Degree, 56% |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 2 |
A clinical trial associate is in charge of coordinating and executing clinical trial operations, ensuring to meet all goals within budgets and deadlines. Their responsibilities revolve around preparing and processing necessary documentation and certifications, submitting requirements to government agencies, distributing essential materials within the clinical teams, and reviewing study sheets, ensuring every paperwork is complete and accurate. Furthermore, as a clinical trial associate, it is vital to lead while implementing the company's policies and regulations, including its vision and mission.
A research nurse specializes in conducting studies and scientific research for healthcare and medical development. They may work for medical facilities, private clinics, learning institutions, and government agencies. It is their duty to design research strategies and procedures, gather and analyze samples through various scientific methods, coordinate with other experts, and develop treatment and healthcare plans to optimize patient services and outcomes. Moreover, a research nurse typically works with a team of researchers, which requires an active communication line while adhering to the organization's policies and regulations.
Clinical trials associates and research nurses have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Clinical Trials Associate | Research Nurse | |
| Average salary | $74,952 | $53,463 |
| Salary range | Between $46,000 And $121,000 | Between $38,000 And $74,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | New York, NY |
| Highest paying state | California | New York |
| Best paying company | Dorsey & Whitney | Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings |
| Best paying industry | Pharmaceutical | Pharmaceutical |
There are a few differences between a clinical trials associate and a research nurse in terms of educational background:
| Clinical Trials Associate | Research Nurse | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 62% | Bachelor's Degree, 56% |
| Most common major | Biology | Nursing |
| Most common college | University of Pennsylvania | Duke University |
Here are the differences between clinical trials associates' and research nurses' demographics:
| Clinical Trials Associate | Research Nurse | |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 25.3% Female, 74.7% | Male, 9.2% Female, 90.8% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 2.5% Unknown, 7.4% Hispanic or Latino, 13.9% Asian, 13.4% White, 62.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5% | Black or African American, 2.6% Unknown, 7.6% Hispanic or Latino, 15.3% Asian, 8.4% White, 65.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5% |
| LGBT Percentage | 9% | 9% |