Clinical research nurses (CRNs) are calling for action to strengthen their workforce to help realise the ambitions of the national research strategy, warning Australia is increasingly out of step with other countries that are advancing their research capability through workforce investment.
The Australian College of Nursing (ACN) welcomes the recognition of CRNs, midwives, and other frontline research professionals as ‘critical enablers’ in building and delivering on the aspirational goals of the Strategy and embedding research into clinical care, in the recently released National Health and Medical Research Strategy 2026–2036.
“We do, however, need to see action as well as words,” said ACN Chief Executive Officer Adjunct Professor Kathryn Zeitz FACN. “Despite their vital role, clinical research nurses are currently poorly recognised and have little to no workforce development or formal career pathways. Significant targeted investment in the leadership and sustainability of this critical delivery workforce is still required to realise the ambitious translation and commercialisation targets outlined in the Strategy.”
“In Australia, we have fallen behind international leaders in developing and nurturing our clinical research delivery workforce, including clinical research nurses,” said Chair of the ACN Clinical Research Nurse Faculty, Kelly Beer. “Meanwhile, investment in clinical research nurses within both the United Kingdom and United States has accelerated the capacity and capability of these countries to deliver clinical trials and research studies.”
“Our CRN workforce in Australia is struggling with workplace challenges including short-term contracts, inconsistent training, and a lack of clinical support and professional identity,” said Ms Beer.
Without a sustainable CRN workforce, the Strategy’s ambitions are at risk.
“The CRN workforce is critical to the successful delivery of high-quality, safe research, and investment in these highly skilled personnel is essential to realising the ambitions of the Strategy,” said Ms Beer.
ACN is urging leaders in the sector to build on the momentum generated by the Strategy, which marks a significant cultural shift.
“The Strategy’s acknowledgement of the role of Clinical Research Nurses and other operational colleagues, as well as the need for support of these professionals, is vital to recognising that world-class research cannot happen without a world-class delivery workforce,” said Ms Beer.
To support the Strategy to achieve its goals, ACN is calling for distinct national funding and structural investment in two key areas:
- National Leadership and Governance Support for CRNs: Embedding national leadership and governance structures for CRNs and other research delivery professionals to enable a cohesive, thriving delivery workforce to support accelerated translation and commercialisation priorities.
- Workforce Development and Career Pathways: Formalising career structures, secure funding models, and professional development pathways to develop and retain highly skilled research delivery nurses within the Australian health system.
“The ACN Clinical Research Nurse Faculty looks forward to collaborating with the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing, and the broader research sector to build a robust, fully supported research delivery ecosystem that benefits all Australians,” said Ms Beer.
ACN is proud to support nurses in clinical research, including through its development of a Nursing Careers Pathway resource that seeks to champion and support nurses to pursue careers in non-traditional nursing pathways.
Contact
e: acn.media@acn.edu.au
