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Research nurse vs clinical research manager

The differences between research nurses and clinical research managers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a research nurse and a clinical research manager. Additionally, a clinical research manager has an average salary of $96,504, which is higher than the $53,463 average annual salary of a research nurse.

The top three skills for a research nurse include patients, informed consent and data collection. The most important skills for a clinical research manager are patients, oversight, and FDA.

Research nurse vs clinical research manager overview

Research NurseClinical Research Manager
Yearly salary$53,463$96,504
Hourly rate$25.70$46.40
Growth rate6%6%
Number of jobs46,665100,000
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 56%Bachelor's Degree, 55%
Average age4444
Years of experience22

What does a research nurse do?

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.

What does a clinical research manager do?

A clinical research manager is responsible for leading a clinical research team in conducting clinical trials for medical purposes. Clinical research managers conduct scientific investigations, following critical methods and procedures within the budget goals and discussed timeframe. They monitor the adequacy of laboratory tools and equipment, request purchase orders, and ensure the authenticity of the materials for the accuracy of findings. A clinical research manager also enforces strict safety standards and protocols during clinical trials to avoid potential hazards and chemical contamination.

Research nurse vs clinical research manager salary

Research nurses and clinical research managers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Research NurseClinical Research Manager
Average salary$53,463$96,504
Salary rangeBetween $38,000 And $74,000Between $66,000 And $140,000
Highest paying CityNew York, NYSouth San Francisco, CA
Highest paying stateNew YorkCalifornia
Best paying companyLaboratory Corporation of America HoldingsVarian Medical Systems
Best paying industryPharmaceuticalPharmaceutical

Differences between research nurse and clinical research manager education

There are a few differences between a research nurse and a clinical research manager in terms of educational background:

Research NurseClinical Research Manager
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 56%Bachelor's Degree, 55%
Most common majorNursingNursing
Most common collegeDuke UniversityUniversity of Pennsylvania

Research nurse vs clinical research manager demographics

Here are the differences between research nurses' and clinical research managers' demographics:

Research NurseClinical Research Manager
Average age4444
Gender ratioMale, 9.2% Female, 90.8%Male, 21.5% Female, 78.5%
Race ratioBlack 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%Black or African American, 2.6% Unknown, 7.6% Hispanic or Latino, 15.0% Asian, 9.3% White, 65.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%
LGBT Percentage9%9%

Differences between research nurse and clinical research manager duties and responsibilities

Research nurse example responsibilities.

  • Collect, manage and analyze preliminary data using SPSS statistical software.
  • Adhere to local and country specific GCP and ICH guidelines.
  • Ensure coordinator and investigator compliance with GCP and ICH guidelines.
  • Assure compliance with good clinical practice (GCP) guidelines and FDA regulations.
  • Ensure appropriate source documentation, drug accountability and study compliance according to GCP and CFR.
  • Oversee study protocol implementation to ensure compliance with FDA and other regulatory bodies' rules and regulations.
  • Show more

Clinical research manager example responsibilities.

  • Launch and manage a regional CRA monitoring group that grow to 100 plus staff in two years.
  • Manage all planning and execution of oncology clinical trials, domestic and international, including decision impact and companion diagnostic trials.
  • Prepare applications to have studies approve by hospital's institutional review board (IRB) and help present study to IRB.
  • Develop an open access communication method for patients to discuss their questions and/or concerns with the principal investigators.
  • Major contributor to the NDA for both Depo-Provera contraceptive as well as Caverject for erectile dysfunction.
  • Interview, select, train, and monitor all clinical sites; negotiate site and CRO budgets.
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Research nurse vs clinical research manager skills

Common research nurse skills
  • Patients, 18%
  • Informed Consent, 11%
  • Data Collection, 5%
  • IRB, 5%
  • Oncology, 4%
  • Research Projects, 4%
Common clinical research manager skills
  • Patients, 9%
  • Oversight, 8%
  • FDA, 5%
  • IRB, 5%
  • Project Management, 5%
  • Data Management, 4%

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