Clinical Nurse Scientist
Durham, NC, US, 27710
The Clinical Nurse Scientist at Duke University Health System (DUHS) and Duke University School of Nursing (DUSON) leads and evaluates nursing research and evidence-based practice (EBP) initiatives to improve patient care and outcomes mainly in the clinical setting. This dual-role position bridges clinical and academic domains. Responsibilities include coordinating EBP programs and fellowships, mentoring staff and students, facilitating IRB processes, and promoting research dissemination. The role also supports strategic planning, interdepartmental collaboration, scholarly publications, and grant development.
Plans, implements, and evaluates nursing research and evidence-based practice activities, to promote the delivery of quality patient care and improved patient outcomes. The role facilitates nursing services strategic research priorities.
Duties and Responsibilities
- Promotes, supports, and facilitates individuals engaging in research activities to advance research in practice: evidence-based practice, the conduct of research, research utilization, and dissemination of research results.
- Serves as co-chair for the Nursing Clinical Research Council, coordinates, guides, leads and provides support for council activities and serves as the liaison to the nursing shared governance structure.
- Conducts an annual clinical research needs assessment and uses results to construct a strategic plan to develop clinical research for nursing.
- Collaborates and develops innovative programs to educate, mentor, and enhance the knowledge of nursing staff.
- Serves in a leadership role to coordinate the annual research symposium.
- Seeks research funding through grant applications, assists departments and individual health care professionals to apply and obtain such funding for research projects and activities.
- Fosters the development of an environment conducive to the conduct of inquiry; research and practice.
- Promotes collaborative multidisciplinary research.
- Serves as liaison between DUHS Nursing and the Office of Research Affairs of the Duke University School of Nursing, DTNI and other academic programs on research related activities including linking student projects of all levels of instruction to hospital research needs/ activities.
- Develops and maintains a database of Duke Nursing clinical research projects.
- Facilitates and directs the development of interdepartmental and interdisciplinary research activities, including generating research interest groups.
- Conducts independent research in areas of interest.
- Serves on departmental and external committees.
- Supports institutions efforts to improve quality care, linking research to improved patient outcomes.
- Conducts research connected to the National Patient Safety Standards. Participates in department-based activities and initiatives to improve and ensure a safe environment.
- Participates in performance improvement activities; quality improvement and patient safety activities; assists in maintaining compliance with JCAHO accreditation and other internal and external regulatory standards including the code of conduct.
- Perform other related duties incidental to the work described herein.
Required Qualifications at this Level
Education
Ph.D. in Nursing or DNS or DNP requiredExperience
- Requires five years as a clinical nurse in a leadership role.
- Two years experience facilitating research activities preferred.
- Health system experience highly preferred
Degrees, Licensure, and/or Certification
- Current or compact RN licensure in the state of North Carolina or participating compact state required.
- BLS required (may renew during orientation).
Nearest Major Market:DurhamNearest Secondary Market:Raleigh
Freqently Asked Questions
To thrive as a Clinical Nurse Scientist in Durham, NC, possessing a Ph.D., DNP, or DNS in nursing is critical. Additionally, holding current RN licensure in North Carolina and having leadership experience in clinical nursing strengthens your ability to drive research and quality improvements effectively.
Unlike standard nursing roles, a Clinical Nurse Scientist focuses on bridging clinical practice with research by leading evidence-based initiatives, mentoring staff, coordinating research councils, and facilitating grant applications, all aimed at enhancing patient care outcomes through scholarly activities.
Career growth for Clinical Nurse Scientists often involves progressing into leadership roles that combine clinical expertise with research oversight, potentially leading to academic appointments, grant leadership positions, and strategic roles influencing nursing practice on institutional and policy levels.
While current RN licensure and BLS certification are mandatory, Duke University values candidates with advanced degrees and experience in research facilitation. Additional certifications in research ethics or clinical investigation may enhance candidacy but are not explicitly required.
Duke University encourages Clinical Nurse Scientists to collaborate across departments and academic programs, providing access to extensive resources, research funding support, and platforms like nursing clinical research councils and symposiums to foster innovative, cross-disciplinary nursing research.
Durham's vibrant medical research community, anchored by Duke University, makes Clinical Nurse Scientist positions highly sought after. The demand favors candidates with strong research backgrounds and leadership skills, resulting in a moderately competitive hiring environment focused on advanced nursing expertise.
Durham offers a relatively affordable cost of living compared to larger metropolitan areas, which, combined with the city's compact size, allows Clinical Nurse Scientists to enjoy manageable commutes, facilitating a healthier work-life balance and greater focus on complex clinical research activities.
In Durham, NC, Clinical Nurse Scientists typically earn between $90,000 and $120,000 annually, depending on experience and education level. Duke University offers competitive compensation packages reflecting the specialized expertise required for leading nursing research and evidence-based practice.
Duke University positions Clinical Nurse Scientists as pivotal connectors between clinical nursing and academic research, enabling them to co-chair research councils, mentor staff and students, and align nursing research with institutional strategies to elevate patient care standards.
Duke University’s Clinical Nurse Scientist position uniquely combines health system and academic responsibilities, offering dual roles that emphasize leadership in evidence-based nursing research, access to extensive grant opportunities, and active involvement in shaping nursing scholarship and clinical outcomes.
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