Exploring Research Opportunities for Oncology Nurses, APPs

An oncology nurse practitioner recounts her journey into research, emphasizing the excitement of contributing to advancements in cancer care and exploring the diverse avenues available for advanced practice providers and nurses to participate in research studies.

Oncology Nursing News spoke with La-Urshalar Brock, FNP-BC, CNM, RNFA, to learn more about her personal journey into the world of research, highlighting the unexpected pathways and rewarding experiences that can come from pursuing this course of professional development. She also offers insights for any nurse considering a career that incorporates research.

Brock is a part of the Breast/Gynecologic Specialty – Medical Oncology at Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia.

Transcript:

If you're thinking about it, I would definitely say, go for it, if you have an interest [in research]. When I started here at Winship [Cancer Institute], I didn't have any research experience. I actually came from a private practice and was doing something totally different. I got into this, and research was right off the bat. As soon as I got hired, I started learning the clinical trials, what…each one entailed, and what the eligibility was. That [then] started to pique my interest.

When you get involved in some of these clinical trials, and then these medications come to light and are approved, and now you're using them, that is even more exciting. In the beginning, you were helping, trying to bring this medicine to light so that it could help others. I think over time research has really grown on me.

I would tell any nurse, [nurse practitioner] or [physician’s assistant], if they're interested, to continue to pursue it, to get involved in research, because I think it is very exciting and it's interesting.

It doesn't even have to be medication. There are clinical trials [that we do] where you're looking at quality of life, like what I'm doing now. There's also where you're just interviewing and getting more information about how patients feel with being treated. There are lots of things that you can do in research.

This transcript has been edited for clarity and conciseness.