
Vanessa De Pue
Clinical Research Coordinator
Midwest Cardiovascular Research and Education Foundation in Beacon Health System
Elkhart, IN USA
Midwest Cardiovascular Research and Education Foundation in Beacon Health System
Elkhart, IN USA
Clinical Research Coordinator
I conduct clinical trials research at a cardiovascular clinic and am the department supervisor.
I review patients from the hospital list and discuss them with the care team at morning rounds if they potentially qualify for a clinical trial. Then, I review the outpatient clinic schedule for our outpatient trials. I teach patients about the trial, collect side effect data from consented patients, dispense medications, and attend procedures to guide randomization and use of devices. I participate in national study update meetings and review potential new trials. My day is constantly changing.
Here's the first step for everyone
In clinical trials research, one must possess attention to detail and protocol rules, but be able to assimilate continual change of the rules. There will always be tension between the best interests of the patient and the research, as well as ideal protocol adherence and the real world of the clinic and patients' lives. If an RN, study some toxicology research. It's a good application of science to medicine to answer the question of causality. If not medical, shadow RNs in the clinic and the MD.
"You should know what you want to do and go after it. You should become a doctor instead of a nurse."