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Best research nurse certifications
The best certifications for a research nurse are Certified Clinical Research Professional (CCRP), Oncology Certified Nurse (OCN), and Certified Clinical Research Coordinator (CCRC).
Research nurse certifications demonstrate your competency as a research nurse to employers. However, not all research nurse certifications provide the same value.
Below is a list of the best research nurse certifications. Obtaining a research nurse certification will give you a leg up when you apply for jobs and increase your potential salary.
10 best certifications for research nurses
| Rank | Research nurse certification | Organization |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Certified Clinical Research Professional (CCRP) | SOCRA |
| 2 | Oncology Certified Nurse (OCN) | ONCC |
| 3 | Certified Clinical Research Coordinator (CCRC) | ACRP |
| 4 | Family Nurse Practitioner | ANA |
| 5 | Certified Nurse Educator (CNE) | NLN |
| 6 | Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA) | American Red ... |
| 7 | Certified Clinical Research Associate (CCRA) | ACRP |
| 8 | Trauma Nursing Core Course (TNCC) | ENA |
| 9 | Legal Nurse Consultant Certified (LNCC) | AALNC |
| 10 | Certified Forensic Nurse (CFN) | ACFEI, Cr.FA |
10 best research nurse certifications
1. Certified Clinical Research Professional (CCRP)
Clinical Research Professionals (CRPs) come from a wide variety of backgrounds. CRPs may have backgrounds in nursing, pharmacy, medical technology, business administration, health record maintenance, statistics, biology, teaching, or in other areas. CRPs work in various settings such as cooperative research groups; academic and private institutions; private offices; pharmaceutical, device, and biotechnology companies; Clinical Research Organizations (CROs); Site Management Organizations (SMOs); independent research and development organizations; or organizations involved in the management of clinical trials. These varying backgrounds and settings contribute to the unique knowledge and diverse expertise of CRPs.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 3 year(s)
2. Oncology Certified Nurse (OCN)
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 4 year(s)
3. Certified Clinical Research Coordinator (CCRC)
Certification is increasingly recognized by today's global clinical research industry. Study sites use certification for documentation to sponsors and CROs that the site is professionally managed.Certification assists the public, healthcare professionals and the industry itself by identifying standards for professional practice.The written CRC examination is a measure of a candidate's knowledge of information needed for the CRC to perform this role effectively and the competent application of that knowledge in the conduct of clinical trials.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 2 year(s)
4. Family Nurse Practitioner
The ANCC Family Nurse Practitioner board certification examination is a competency based examination that provides a valid and reliable assessment of the entry-level clinical knowledge and skills of nurse practitioners. This certification aligns with the Consensus Model for APRN Regulation: Licensure, Accreditation, Certification and Education. Once you complete eligibility requirements to take the certification examination and successfully pass the exam, you are awarded the credential: Family Nurse Practitioner-Board Certified (FNP-BC).
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 5 year(s)
5. Certified Nurse Educator (CNE)
Certification in any field is a mark of professionalism. For academic nurse educators, it establishes nursing education as a specialty area of practice and creates a means for faculty to demonstrate their expertise in this role. It communicates to students, peers, and the academic and health care communities that the highest standards of excellence are being met. By becoming credentialed as a Certified Nurse Educator (CNE), you serve as a leader and a role model.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 2 year(s)
6. Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA)
Train to be a certified nurse assistant working with other health care professionals to provide quality care for elderly or sick individuals in nursing homes and hospitals and at home.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
- More than two years of work experience required? No
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required?
7. Certified Clinical Research Associate (CCRA)
The CRA exam is a measure of the candidate's general and basic knowledge of the information needed to perform his or her on-job duties and responsibilities effectively. Certification is granted in recognition of the candidate's documented education and working experience as a CRA, and successful completion of the written exam. By granting the designation of CRA, ACRP is formally recognizing the professional CRA who has provided evidence that he or she meets these professional standards.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 2 year(s)
8. Trauma Nursing Core Course (TNCC)
Every second counts when stabilizing life-threatening trauma cases. This course, taught by qualified emergency nurses, prepares you with the knowledge, critical thinking skills and hands-on training needed to provide high-quality, trauma nursing care. After completing this course, you will be able to properly assess and implement evidence-based interventions to improve outcomes for your patients.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
- More than two years of work experience required? No
- Oral or written exam required? No
- Renewal required? Every 4 year(s)
9. Legal Nurse Consultant Certified (LNCC)
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 5 year(s)
10. Certified Forensic Nurse (CFN)
Forensic nursing is an exciting and rapidly growing specialty field that offers great opportunities and rewarding career options for nursing professionals. However, it can be challenging to set yourself apart from your peers to get the recognition and respect you deserve, both in the medical community and the legal arena.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
- More than two years of work experience required? No
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 1 year(s)
What is the best certification for a research nurse?
The best research nurse certification is Certified Clinical Research Professional (CCRP). The Certified Clinical Research Professional (CCRP) is awarded by the The Society of Clinical Research Associates. The advanced certification is for more experienced employees as it often requires some work experience to acquire.
Here's a bit more background on how to obtain this research nurse certification:
- To become a certified Certified Clinical Research Professional (CCRP), you need to pass the exam.
- This certificate requires more than two years of work experience.
- Renew certification every 3 year.
What are some of the most in-demand certifications for research nurses?
The most in-demand research nurse certification is Certified Clinical Research Professional based on all active job postings. Having this research nurse certification will give you access to more research nurse jobs with higher salaries.
What certifications can impact a research nurse career and salary?
The Family Nurse Practitioner certification will help you to secure a family nurse practitioner position, which will increase your pay and career trajectory. A family nurse practitioner's average salary is $93,196 whereas research nurses make an average salary of $53,463.
The most common combination of research nurse certifications include: Certified Clinical Research Professional (CCRP), Oncology Certified Nurse (OCN), and Certified Clinical Research Coordinator (CCRC).
Online courses for research nurses to earn certifications
1. Understanding Clinical Research: Behind the Statistics
If you’ve ever skipped over the results section of a medical paper because terms like “confidence interval” or “p-value” go over your head, then you’re in the right place. You may be a clinical practitioner reading research articles to keep up-to-date with developments in your field or a medical student wondering how to approach your own research. Greater confidence in understanding statistical analysis and the results can benefit both working professionals and those undertaking research...
2. Studying Cities: Social Science Methods for Urban Research
Welcome! Are you looking to learn more about how to conduct scientific research, specifically in an urban or local context? Then you have found the right course: Studying Cities: Social Science Methods for Urban Research by the Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS), Erasmus University Rotterdam. During the course you will gain more insight in the different steps of the research cycle, and build a firm foundation for your own future research endeavors. Before any (urban)...
3. Good Clinical Practice ICH GCP for Clinical Research
Certification on ICH GCP E6 R2 Good Clinical Practice for Clinical Research The Only Complete Course You Can Find Online...
4. The Beginners Course for Clinical Research
The Essentials of Clinical Trials - Clinical Research for Beginners...
5. Clinical Trials Data Management and Quality Assurance
In this course, you’ll learn to collect and care for the data gathered during your trial and how to prevent mistakes and errors through quality assurance practices. Clinical trials generate an enormous amount of data, so you and your team must plan carefully by choosing the right collection instruments, systems, and measures to protect the integrity of your trial data. You’ll learn how to assemble, clean, and de-identify your datasets. Finally, you’ll learn to find and correct deficiencies...
6. Understanding Research Methods
This MOOC is about demystifying research and research methods. It will outline the fundamentals of doing research, aimed primarily, but not exclusively, at the postgraduate level. It places the student experience at the centre of our endeavours by engaging learners in a range of robust and challenging discussions and exercises befitting SOAS, University of London's status as a research-intensive university and its rich research heritage. The course will appeal to those of you who require an...
7. Good Clinical Practice for Clinical Research Professionals
The Complete, Certified ICH GCP (R2 & R3) Course for Investigators, Study Coordinators, Sponsors, Monitors and Study staff...
8. Clinical Research for beginners
The Art of Publishing - Master Pub Med, Study design, Biostatistics, Journal choice, Manuscript writing & Referencing...
9. Psychological Research
This specialization is primarily aimed at first- and second-year undergraduates interested in psychology, data analysis, ethics in research, and quantitative research methods along with high school students and professionals with similar interests.\n\nLearners will develop knowledge about the fundamentals of research design for quantitative studies in psychology, analysis of data from quantitative studies in psychology, and ethical standards for conducting psychological research. Learning...
10. Foundations of Health Equity Research
Introduces students to the core principles of health equity research. Covers topics such as defining health equity, engaging community and policy stakeholders, patient-centeredness, cultural competence, and dissemination of research findings. Content will recognize different geographic, cultural, and social contexts where health inequities occur...
11. Certificate Course in Clinical Research (CCCR)
A Clinical Research Course-ICH-GCP E6(R2), Clinical Trials, Essential Documents, Sponsor, Investigator, Pharmaceuticals...
12. Research Methodology: Complete Research Project Blueprint
Research Methodology From A-Z. A Step-by-Step Guide Through Research Design, Data Collection, Analysis, & Interpretation...
13. The Simplest Guide to Clinical Trials Data Analysis with SAS
Step into the world of Pharmaceutical industry Clinical Trials Clinical Research Biostatistics Clinical SAS SAS...
14. Basic of Clinical Data Management
Clinical Data Management...
15. Market Research: A-Z Fundamentals with Case Studies
Learn Market Sizing & Forecasting, Survey Design, Customer & Competitor Analysis to become a PRO Market Research Analyst...
16. Research Methodology
Academic Research Business Research Thesis & Dissertation Report Research Paper / Journal...
17. Good Clinical Practice (GCP)
Key features of the GCP guideline, roles and responsibilities involved and the requirements of essential documentation...
18. Market Research: Dekker's Complete Marketing Research Course
Competitor Analysis, Market Research Analysis, Marketing Analytics, Consumer Analytics, Conversion Rate Optimization...
19. Global Marketing Research and Analytics
Understand and conduct market research on a global scale...
20. Research Methods For Business Students
A-Z guide to writing a rockstar Research Paper with a bulletproof Research Methodology!...