Vanessa De Pue
Midwest Cardiovascular Research and Education Foundation in Beacon Health System
Elkhart, IN USA
Career Roadmap
Vanessa's work combines: Medicine, Science, and Learning / Being Challenged
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Day In The Life
Skills &
Education
Here's the path I took:
High School
Concord High School
Bachelor's Degree
Chemistry, General
Ashland University
Bachelor's Degree
Nursing and Biology
Goshen College
Certification
Oncology Certified Nurse
Oncology Nursing Socieity
Certification
Certified Clinical Research Coordinator
Association of Clinical Research Professionals
Here's the path I recommend for someone who wants to be a Clinical Research Coordinator:
Bachelor's Degree: Chemistry, General
Bachelor's Degree: BS Nursing and Biology
Certification: Oncology Certified Nurse
Certification: Certified Clinical Research Coordinator
Learn more about different paths to this career
Life & Career Milestones
My path in life took a while to figure out
1.
Studying toxicology then switching my major to chemistry broadened my initial science knowledge base to include health from a science perspective.
2.
Two years of volunteer service helped stave off mental burnout as I learned new skills and met people from varied walks of life—from all over the U.S. and overseas.
3.
Working for an industrial chemical company as a salaried and female employee taught me the value of negotiation, but only after I worked myself to exhaustion trying to do it all and was paid less.
4.
Being accepted to a Chemistry PhD program at Rice University in Houston was mentally stimulating, but, when a health issue caused me to re-evaluate if I push through, the focus was too narrow for me.
5.
I used the solid relationship I kept with the chemical company to return and work part time while going back to school for nursing. I needed to have a career with more variety than a PhD allowed.
6.
Completing my biology BS along with my nursing BS deepened my understanding of clinical trial science and the side effects patients experience. Took time for educational service travel = perspective.
7.
Participating in extra educational dinners gave me the opportunity to network with study professionals and collaborate regarding analysis of side effects and future research directions as an RN.
8.
3 clinical trials jobs = don't be afraid to change even after 10 yrs. 1. Manager change = trial dept was sidelined. 2. only psych + MD not . 3. Now Cardiology, a solid team and a promotion
Defining Moments
How I responded to discouragement
THE NOISE
Messages from Society in general:
You should know what you want to do and go after it. You should become a doctor instead of a nurse.
How I responded:
Don't be afraid to initially pick your career by choosing classes that interest your mind. You can change it; even if you have to go back to school. Grants are key. The Strong Interest Inventory is a test that matches your interests with others who have been in their careers for 5 years or more and still like what they are doing. You can learn the skills to do whichever job fulfills your interests. As a research nurse, I am always learning, teaching, and helping people with cutting edge science.
Experiences and challenges that shaped me
It takes effort to find grants and scholarships, but few jobs pay better than the money you can receive per hour that you put in filling out applications. Save your answers in a document and tweak them for each one as they ask similar questions.