investigator (Figure 2). There are several examples of
this progression at the NIH Clinical Center, which
probably has the largest consolidated clinical research
workforce in the United States. However, not all CRNs
are interested in becoming scientists, and clinical
scientists certainly do not have to begin in research by
providing care to research participants. There are
many entry and exit points into and out of the clinical
research career progression, shown in Figure 2. It is
important to note that the conceptual definition of
clinical research nursing as a specialty is a clinical
practice definition, with a focus on research participant
care and care coordination and is not intended to refer
to the role of nurse scientist as a clinical researcher.