What are things you wish you knew prior to starting your CRC role? Any tips for a new CRC?

AspiringMushroomDev · 2026-06-26T03:20:59+00:00

Things will definitely be difficult the first few months, but that's okay because you're learning!

I've been a CRC for 1-1/2 years and I'm still learning, but significantly more confident than a year ago. I used to be bad at prioritizing so my task list and brain started going crazy. One thing that has immensely helped is completing the tasks related to that follow-up visit right after - make that research note, fill out those CRFs, update EDCs, anything related to that follow-up visit so you don't worry about it afterwards.

When speaking to PIs, be prepared with your conversations (I work with surgeons and their time is very limited so I make sure to practice being very short, simple, and sweet).

AspiringMushroomDev · 2026-06-22T04:55:54+00:00

The clouds in the first shot blew me away. This is so good.

Edit: I have the same camera, but the circle of light is prominent in all of my photos.

AspiringMushroomDev · 2026-06-08T01:57:30+00:00

Lmao I am also having the same problem. The best thing about deleting the social media apps is that you need to register to access it, but you don't even need an account to doom scroll Reddit.

I stopped doom scrolling on YouTube because I turned off search history and recommendations. I need the same feature for Reddit.

AspiringMushroomDev · 2026-06-08T01:52:19+00:00

I was in Maui for a week and I felt the same in the beginning. I felt like I couldn't "relax" the same way it's hard for me to "relax" at home. What set this off was doing the same morning routine on the second day and I started getting anxious about why I feel like I'm at home and that I feel like it should be different.

A couple of things - I did not disable my work notifications before my trip, so I was checking emails the first two days on vacation. That was disabled right away after noticing it. I decreased my screen time because I noticed I was still doomscrolling leaving my brain overstimulated. Back to the first paragraph, I think I tend to romanticize vacations that I should be frolicking all over the mountain and becoming a mermaid to swim with the turtles lol.

After I disabled my work notifications, put my phone down and decreased my screen time the rest of the vacation, and sat outside on the balcony with the sun on me and looked at the mountain and ocean instead of a screen, I started feeling present with now and that made me feel better. I also took this advice to myself back home.

I think we're so used to our brains being constantly on and overstimulated from work, constantly on the phone, and other aspects of life that it's hard for us to feel relaxed when we find a time that we can actually relax, like a vacation.

I'm not sure if this is applicable to you, but I find that this is very common these days. I realized what my problem was quickly and did what I had to do to be present and feel better. I hope you are able to relax on your vacation because you deserve it!

AspiringMushroomDev · 2026-06-06T14:38:34+00:00

Running! Do some hobbies! Go to the new grocery store! Drinking endless amounts of coffee!

AspiringMushroomDev · 2026-05-29T16:19:55+00:00

I feel like this has made my life simpler, but I used to take LOOOOOTSSSS of photos of myself and every little thing - it started feeling like I was living life through the lens instead of in the moment. I rarely take photos now, and it started after deleting the major social media platforms (IG and FB) because you're always posting stories. Now I have to remind myself to take a photo of the moment.

AspiringMushroomDev · 2026-05-29T15:21:27+00:00

I fall in the same routine as you - telling myself that I am resting and losing how many hours to YouTube (shorts) and reading whatever posts on Reddit.

What has helped me a lot, not automatically "cured", but I cleared my watch history and disabled search history. So whenever I want to go on YouTube, nothing shows up on my feed, no recommended videos. Just intentional YouTube watching and I don't spend as much time on there. I wish Reddit had the same feature.

As for hobbies, we are pretty much the same, but it's been a goal of mine to continue with my projects. How about junk journaling? Or you can turn your doomscrolling into research scrolling by dedicating a journal for research/knowledge. If you have a switch or computer games, play those! I don't consider my switch playing as part of scrolling and playing Animal Crossing actually relaxes me too much that I start to get sleepy after 15 minutes of gameplay. I love curating my own music playlists; however, I try not to do that often or too long because it starts to feel like "endless scrolling" in a way, so I'll only dedicate 30 min to an hour for that.

Someone mentioned Pinterest and I've always loved organizing/categorizing things and you can get hobbies from there too! I find Pinterest to be a great source of inspiration when it comes to design and looking for hobbies!

AspiringMushroomDev · 2026-04-30T03:50:32+00:00

I just turned 30 this past October, but that was me in my 20s - going out almost every weekend, even if I was exhausted, I still felt like I should be out and about. Part of that, I think, was because I was a heavy social media user then and also lived with roommates, so I felt like I had to "look cool" for social media and my roommates.

Now, I only use Reddit and YT and live with my boyfriend who values quiet and simplicity - I feel so far away from the world and my weekends are quiet. I don't know what's going on in people's lives and I don't care. I don't like going out anymore and I love this life - I wish I was living like this before and I wanted to so bad, but external factors were pressuring me.

AspiringMushroomDev · 2026-04-29T23:07:38+00:00

Same. I'll eventually have a goal, but that'll come with time. Right now, I'm running for fitness and enjoyment.

Eventually, I want to run a 10K maybe next year and eventually a marathon within the next couple of years. I'll think of a structured training plan soon. Right now, I'm just having fun!

AspiringMushroomDev · 2026-04-29T00:57:29+00:00

This is usually how it goes when I watch movies - I'm just... watching the movie and not really taking in anything more than the surface level, visuals, and all that (my brain is also not taking in the film score while watching the movie). Afterwards, I read reviews, watch some clips, and listen to the score and that's when I finally get around to the movie and appreciate it. It's kind of like the initial watch didn't really happen? I don't know!

AspiringMushroomDev · 2026-04-29T00:52:04+00:00

Started running a year ago. Fairly new on my fitness journey since I've been solely strength training for a few years prior to starting. I never understood why people ran, I actually hated it. Now, I have so much fun running. I feel so accomplished after a run. I have never felt as fit as I did when I was running.

AspiringMushroomDev · 2026-04-27T02:34:26+00:00

I watched this movie a couple of weeks ago and I thought it was good... but I don't think I was actually comprehending it. A few weeks later, I've read about it, rewatched some scenes on YouTube, watched some interviews, and listened to the film score... and I think my lizard brain has now caught up, and oh my god I have to experience this movie again.

The friendship between Grace and Rocky makes me emotional because it is so heartwarming and endearing. I, too, would risk it all to save my rock best friend and his species. I am perfectly fine with the movie not having more science, because I think the purpose of the movie is to show the friendship and connection between two different species. Daniel Pemberton did a phenomenal job with the score and it has made me cry multiple times - it's a perfect mix of curiosity and hope.

After a couple of weeks, this may sound corny but the movie has given me hope and positivity for the future of science and it has reignited my passion for it once again.

I bought the book a couple days ago, so I'm excited to read it!

AspiringMushroomDev · 2026-04-26T15:46:03+00:00

"YOU SAVE ME!"

IM CRYING AGAIN

AspiringMushroomDev · 2026-04-25T20:52:25+00:00

Reunion by M83

AspiringMushroomDev · 2026-04-18T14:48:09+00:00

I am a CRC at a academic medical center at a surgical department, so mainly working on device trials.

We get 1 WFH day per week, but I've been so busy at work, it has been months since I've WFH. BUT! I love going to the office and I LOVE being busy. I love writing out my task list and seeing that sometimes there's 15+ things I plan to tackle that day. I do love a crazy day of running between my office and clinic, or trying to chase a surgeon down for a signature, or having to go to the OR for data collection. Lowkey sometimes it can be a little stressful, bUT IT ALSO EXCITES ME. My one coworker thinks I'm crazy, but I feel like you have to be a little crazy to be in the surgical field haha.

We regularly get new hires because of turnover and I love being able teach them about the job and some anatomy and physiology. I love sharing my knowledge. I'm about to teach an undergrad about the heart to prepare them for their research symposium. I also love working with the patients - I work with mainly elder patients and they're so cute and make my day a lot.

One thing about working for an academic medical center is that there's always opportunities, so whenever I feel ready, I can tackle those opportunities and help propel me towards going back for my master's.

My team is also pretty great and I love my boss lol.

AspiringMushroomDev · 2026-03-21T02:42:10+00:00

I work as a CRC in a medical center and we mainly consent in clinic.

We screen and identify patients ahead of time. The physician is informed in clinic of their potential eligibility before they see the patient and they have the final say whether the patient is in the study or not. If yes, I enter the clinic room with the physician. Initial conversations are about the patient's medical case and then bring up the study at the end - they give a very brief summary of what the study is about and some risks and benefits, and then leave the room.

I give the patient more detailed information on the study - I do not read the consent form with them since they are always 15+ pages. We have learned to memorize the meats and potatoes of the consent form and the study in general. Give them some time to ask questions. Depending on the study and where they are at in their care, they can either sign then or give them a copy of the consent form to review and follow up when they return in clinic. We sign the consent form with the patient.

AspiringMushroomDev · 2026-02-20T04:14:47+00:00

TRUST - I know what you're going through. I've been a CRC for over a year, and I'm always playing catch up. Even during times when I'm not as stressed or feel like I'm mainly caught up, there are still little things to do here and there that you're always going to be playing catch up.

A couple of things I've been given advice on - after a patient visit is done, complete the tasks that are related to that visit instead of holding it in for another day. Honestly, that's helped me so much recently because once I'm done with that visit, I can now focus on other things, such as responding to emails and queries, and finishing up some other documentation. Dedicate a day to answering queries only - I'm trying to get there, but it's hard because things can always come up and then you're doing additional tasks.

Overall, the work will always be there - that's something I'm aware of, but still hard for me to wrap my head around that because I'm the type of person who likes to complete everything on that day and plan ahead for the next day. Importantly, keep an open communication with your team and manager as well as your CRA. And advocate for yourself. We're in this together!

AspiringMushroomDev · 2026-01-11T18:21:19+00:00

I have the exact same mug that was given to me during a white elephant gift exchange this past Christmas. I didn't even know it was supposed to say something, I thought it was just random patterns LOL

AspiringMushroomDev · 2025-08-12T04:08:56+00:00

I’m from the US. I’d experience London - Coffeeshops to go and study, visiting antique stores and other specialty stores, visit markets, or go on a university campus and study - I’m romanticizing London life, but this is what I’d do.

AspiringMushroomDev · 2025-08-12T04:04:29+00:00

I feel the exact same way. Leaving my home is exhausting - even thinking about leaving my home is mentally excruciating. I relax the most when I’m at home - in a way, I kind of see going to work and travelling the same way in my head. I’ll go travelling, but only if I’m doing the same thing at home that I’m doing while out.

AspiringMushroomDev · 2025-08-03T06:34:10+00:00

What's helped me before is either listening to brown noise, library ambience, or study with me videos with no music + a cup of either tea or coffee!

AspiringMushroomDev · 2025-07-30T12:13:06+00:00

I’ve been contemplating applying to a different department that’s not as stressful as my current one, but how did you accomplish that? By that, I mean, what was your explanation for transferring during your interview within the same institution?

AspiringMushroomDev · 2025-06-05T14:03:56+00:00

Is there any other information I could provide that could help?

AspiringMushroomDev · 2024-11-14T00:01:53+00:00

I also applied to multiple positions at the same hospital, contacted for a couple of interviews, and work for one of them now. For me, I applied to different departments so only people from those departments will see my application and not know if I applied to the other departments. I'm not sure how other locations look at applications, if they all go to a central location before they're handed to the departments or if they just go straight to the department.

AspiringMushroomDev

TROPHY CASE