The clinical research nursing practice domain was
further conceptualized to cover in its scope 2 primary
roles assumed by nurses practicing in clinical
research settings. These roles represent the ends of a
continuum with one role primarily concerned with
patient care (Clinical Research Nurse [CRN]) and the
other role primarily concerned with study coordination
(Research Nurse Coordinator [RNC]). Actual roles vary
along this continuum. The practice domain taxonomy
was the basis for a role delineation survey instrument
that was used in a survey of nurses in RNC and CRN
roles at the NIH Clinical Center.48 The large sample size
(n ¼ 412) and the ability of the role delineation instrument
to differentiate roles focused on clinical implementation
from roles focused on study coordination,
supports broader application to characterize the roles
of nurses practicing in clinical research across the
spectrum of research settings.