IACRN and ACRES to Support Clinical Research Nurses

The International Association of Clinical Research Nurses (IACRN), a non-profit organization based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and the Alliance for Clinical Research Excellence and Safety (ACRES), a Massachusetts non-profit charitable organization, have announced the signing of a strategic alliance agreement, setting the stage for multiple collaborative projects.

IACRN’s vision is to enhance clinical research quality and safety through specialized nursing practice by defining, validating and advancing clinical research nursing as a specialty practice as well as by supporting the professional development of registered nurses who directly or indirectly impact the care of clinical research participants.

ACRES’ mission is to collaboratively leverage the expertise and investments of research stake-holders world-wide to build and maintain a global system for clinical trials that are conducted according to the highest standards of safety, quality and efficiency while aligning ethical principles with good business practices to benefit all peoples.

“The leadership of IACRN is committed to enhancing clinical research quality and safety globally through specialized nursing practice. We bring passion and enthusiasm for impacting clinical research globally to our new Alliance with ACRES”, stated IACRN President-elect Margaret McCabe, RN, Ph.D and P.N.P.

For their initial work together, IACRN and ACRES will work together to identify the clinical research nurse workforce worldwide, to develop and conduct initiatives focused on evidence-based best practices in clinical research nursing and to co-develop and present at key conferences. Also, ACRES will provide representation and expertise for clinical research nursing in ACRES initiatives aimed at establishing research site standards.

“Clinical research obviously has a global reach”, noted Liza Behrens, RN, MSN, CCRC, current President of IACRN, “ and while our nurse members bring passion and expertise in enhancing the quality and safety to clinical research through the use of specialty nursing practices, this alliance with ACRES will definitely widen and positively impact clinical research practices throughout the world”.

"The education, training, skills, commitment and judgment of all professionals in clinical research are keys to quality and safety, and none of these are more important than the role of professional research nurses. Our strategic relationship with IACRN will ensure that this important perspective is fully represented as ACRES allies work together to build a global system for clinical research that recognizes and rewards excellence worldwide," noted Dr. Honorio Silva, ACRES Vice-President for Professionalism and Systems Integration.