The journey to becoming a research nurse.

Clinical trials nurses are in a unique position to actively engage in many aspects of cancer research and scientific inquiry. Opportunities range from research nurse to data manager to and protocol treatment nurse. Each role encompasses responsibilities and tasks critical to ensuring the protection of human subjects and credible clinical trials data. Federal regulations serve as guides to direct practice and for the purpose of applying ethical principles. A case study describing an oncology nurse's transition to the research role is presented.