Career opps for NPs and MPHs that combine research and clinical?

I'm an epidemiologist with an MPH working in research for the last 5 years. I am considering a career switch in order to become a nurse practionier. I would love to hear from NPs who also have public health backgrounds, to see how or if they have been able to combine research and clinical practice into their jobs? Does anyone have a position that uses both research and clinical? What kinds of opportunities are available to NPs (...say praticing in an academic medical facility) to also participate in research studies/grants/data analysis projects, etc??

I feel that becoming an NP could be a great opportunity, and would allow me to have direct patient contact which i am missing now in my job, but I am unsure because it is a big commitment to return to school. I ultimately would love to have more flexibility & diversity in my profession (ideally would love to work 2-3 days a week in a clinic and 1-2 days doing research) but don't know if this is feasable or readily done. Thoughts?
I work as an assistant on a research unit for a giant Medical center. We have one NP that started as an RN. She is in charge of a lot of studies that we do. She seems to enjoy her job and had a big interest in research. You can definitely work as an NP in a clinical research facility.