How to become a Research Nurse / Practitioner
Runs clinical research and trials — recruiting participants, collecting data and ensuring good clinical practice. Open to nurses, midwives and AHPs.
Entry routes
- From Specialist Nurse: Research methods + Good Clinical Practice (~2 yrs)
- From Registered Nurse: Research methods + Good Clinical Practice (~3 yrs)
- From Midwife: Research methods + Good Clinical Practice (~3 yrs)
- From Physiotherapist: Research methods + Good Clinical Practice (~3 yrs)
What you'll need
Qualifications
Employer support
- Employer support / sponsorship
Experience
- 12+ months HCA experience
- Clinical experience and references
Funding
- Funding or apprenticeship sponsorship
Registration
- Active NMC registration as a nurse
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A typical path
£25,272 now → £39,959 in 7 yrs
- £25,272
Healthcare Assistant
Year 0 · Band 2 · entry
- £28,392
Nursing Associate
Year 2 · Band 4 · entry
- £32,073
Registered Nurse
Year 4 · Band 5 · entry
- £34,592
Registered Nurse
Year 6 · Band 5 · intermediate
- £39,959
Research Nurse / Practitioner
Year 7 · Band 6 · entry
- £42,170
Research Nurse / Practitioner
Year 9 · Band 6 · intermediate
Common questions
How long does it take to become a Research Nurse / Practitioner?
2–3 years from registration — see the step-by-step timeline above for a typical path.
See what you'd earn as a Research Nurse / Practitioner
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Indicative — England 2026/27 Agenda for Change basic pay, excludes High Cost Area Supplements, unsocial-hours and overtime. Typical timings are national averages, not guarantees. Not financial advice. See data sources.