< Back
The year was 1989 and I started working with the Louisiana Cardiovascular Research Center. I was a registered ICU nurse who worked at Charity Hospital in New Orleans. I always thought that the registered nurses who came into the unit for heart failure research had such a dynamic and interesting job. One day, Dr. William Smith, a local cardiologist, asked me to come and work with him doing heart failure research. I was so excited for this new job and even more excited about what the future would hold for me. For the next few years I continued to do Phase 1-4 studies. I also helped Dr. Smith complete his very first phase I study. This study would help launch his business, New Orleans Center for Clinical Research, to be one of the largest and most productive phase I units in the US.
In 1993 the coordinator exam was first developed. I decided to take the exam in 1994. I lived in New Orleans at that time. The exam was only offered at a few testing centers. I needed to go to Dallas to take the exam. I thought that my experience would be enough to pass this exam but on the plane ride to Dallas I got nervous so I decided that I better study for this exam and I read the entire Code of Federal Regulations cover to cover. I passed the exam and for the past 20 years I have maintained my certification without any lapses. My CCRC certification was instrumental in allowing me to become an independent clinical research nurse in 2003. I know without a doubt that along with being an RN, the CCRC title has helped me with my creditability as a top notch coordinator. It has put me in the role of a senior coordinator and well respected by all my colleagues. I would definitely say that being certified has helped also with the credibility of our site. For the past 11 years I have worked with Dr. Jonathan Wise, a local endocrinologist and thought leader. We do diabetic and diabetic complication studies for many different pharmaceutical companies. The name of the company is Crescent City Clinical Research Center. One thing for sure is that almost of the vendors on their pre-study forms are now asking things like, “How many employees are certified with GCP training? The CCRC certification that is received is respected by all pharmaceutical companies and allows you to be exempt from additional GCP trainings. Being certified with the Academy of Clinical Research Professionals has helped me also with maintaining the CEUs requirements for my RN licensure. All of the classes and programs are accepted by the boards of nursing so the CEUs can be used for both CCRC and RN requirements.
The experiences I have gained thru my years as a CCRC allows my fellow colleagues to come to me for clinical research advice. In addition to that, it has helped me earn the trust of the physicians I work with. It has also given me autonomy and the ability to be available to do the things in life that really matter like being a great wife and mother of three beautiful girls.
Tina Messina, RN, CCRC
In 1993 the coordinator exam was first developed. I decided to take the exam in 1994. I lived in New Orleans at that time. The exam was only offered at a few testing centers. I needed to go to Dallas to take the exam. I thought that my experience would be enough to pass this exam but on the plane ride to Dallas I got nervous so I decided that I better study for this exam and I read the entire Code of Federal Regulations cover to cover. I passed the exam and for the past 20 years I have maintained my certification without any lapses. My CCRC certification was instrumental in allowing me to become an independent clinical research nurse in 2003. I know without a doubt that along with being an RN, the CCRC title has helped me with my creditability as a top notch coordinator. It has put me in the role of a senior coordinator and well respected by all my colleagues. I would definitely say that being certified has helped also with the credibility of our site. For the past 11 years I have worked with Dr. Jonathan Wise, a local endocrinologist and thought leader. We do diabetic and diabetic complication studies for many different pharmaceutical companies. The name of the company is Crescent City Clinical Research Center. One thing for sure is that almost of the vendors on their pre-study forms are now asking things like, “How many employees are certified with GCP training? The CCRC certification that is received is respected by all pharmaceutical companies and allows you to be exempt from additional GCP trainings. Being certified with the Academy of Clinical Research Professionals has helped me also with maintaining the CEUs requirements for my RN licensure. All of the classes and programs are accepted by the boards of nursing so the CEUs can be used for both CCRC and RN requirements.
The experiences I have gained thru my years as a CCRC allows my fellow colleagues to come to me for clinical research advice. In addition to that, it has helped me earn the trust of the physicians I work with. It has also given me autonomy and the ability to be available to do the things in life that really matter like being a great wife and mother of three beautiful girls.
Tina Messina, RN, CCRC
