Ph.D. in Nursing Programs Guide

The Future of Nursing, a report released by the Institute of Medicine in 2009, created a blueprint for improving nurse education by the year 2020. The report explained that nurses with advanced degrees receive better training and are more prepared to take on leadership roles in data collection, policymaking, or workforce planning.

Doctoral candidates for nursing must be hardworking, detail-oriented, passionate, and eager to advance nursing science. Even if the Institute of Medicine meets its goals, only 10% of nurses will have a Ph.D. by the year 2020; therefore, the career outlook for those who have an advanced degree is good.

A Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree and a Ph.D. in nursing are both advanced degrees, but have different goals and career outcomes. A DNP helps prepare nurses for the highest level of practical care, looking to convert research into practice. A Ph.D. in nursing focuses on advancing research and knowledge in nursing science.

Curriculum requirements vary by school. Prospective students should research the colleges they are interested in to determine specific degree requirements. In general, DNP programs require a clinical project that demonstrates practical knowledge and Ph.D. programs require an original research project and dissertation.

DNP degrees typically require 70-95 credits, while Ph.D. programs require 70. Ph.D. graduates typically find research or policy careers while DNP holders pursue clinical professions or management positions. However, there is some crossover. For example, both DNP and Ph.D. degree holders can work as nurse practitioners.

Find a program that meets your affordability, flexibility, and education needs through an accredited, online school.

Nurses have a lot to gain from earning a Ph.D. The benefits of a Ph.D. in nursing include greater independence, heightened job security, more authority, and higher salaries.

A Ph.D. opens many doors, including in industries not typically suited for nurses. Nurses with doctorates can work in hospitals, clinics, doctors’ offices, or at an independent advanced practice, but they can also pursue careers in government — local, state, or federal — and in academia.

Students should work through their Ph.D. programs with specific career goals in mind and research what further steps they need to take to achieve those goals. There are many options for degree holders. For example, in academia, graduates can pursue careers as professors, administrators, or researchers.

Graduates interested in healthcare can become nurse practitioners, nursing researchers, or managers in hospitals or clinics. At the intersection of healthcare and government, degree holders can become healthcare policymakers, consultants, or advisors. Below are a few career options for nurses with doctorates.

Nursing programs sometimes turn away qualified nursing candidates because there aren’t enough instructors. A Ph.D. in nursing qualifies graduates to teach the next generation of nurses while still conducting their own research. This path offers a lot of job security for nurses with doctorates.

Nurse directors manage nursing activities in healthcare institutions like hospitals and clinics. They oversee staff, manage budgets, and facilitate communication between nurses and other healthcare professionals. While a Ph.D. is not required, salary increases with higher levels of education.

Chief nurse anesthetists coordinate and supervise anesthetic procedures. They are responsible for anesthetic protocols and evaluating patients. Nurse anesthetists work closely with patients and staff, which requires strong leadership and communication skills. Some facilities may not require a Ph.D. for this position, but having one improves chances of being hired.

Clinical research nurses oversee clinical trials to improve patient health. These nurses work with many different illnesses, people, and medications. They must monitor the effects of new treatments and pay close attention to the welfare of their patients. A Ph.D. in nursing sets job seekers on a track for advancement and management positions.

Dean of nursing is an administerial position at a college or university. Deans oversee the college of nursing and provide counsel to faculty, staff, and students. They must have a thorough knowledge of nursing education, conduct personal research, and ensure their school follows federal and state policies and regulations.

While all colleges and universities have different qualifications and curricula, there are some similarities between online Ph.D. nursing programs. Below, prospective students can find information on application requirements, curricula, and program outcomes for online Ph.D. programs. Degree seekers can learn what application materials they need and what to expect from the experience.

Prospective students should always research specific requirements for the schools and programs that interest them.

All online programs require a bachelor degree in nursing, but some require a master’s. Prospective students usually need a cumulative 3.0 GPA, and both their bachelor’s and master’s degrees should be from accredited schools.

Ph.D. candidates may need current RN licensure to be considered for a program. Some schools also require a scholarly paper focused on nursing and a resume detailing previous professional experience. Colleges encourage nursing experience — particularly clinical nursing experience. In some cases, additional certification — like the advanced practice national certification for nurses — may be required.

Prospective students should prepare a statement of purpose outlining their educational goals and consider what they will say if asked to sit for an interview with an admissions officer. Few programs require GRE scores, though some do.

Online Ph.D. nursing programs typically offer both core and specialty credits. Core classes cover theoretical practice and research methods and are the foundation for the degree, so they are required. Students earn the majority of their credits in their core classes.

Specialty courses allow students to pursue their particular areas of interest. These classes focus on specific subject matter related to future career prospects. Specializations may include health systems, clinical nursing science, and caring science. Specialty courses require fewer credits than core courses. Some programs also offer electives, which could be interdisciplinary, allowing students to explore other, non-nursing-related fields.

While remote students take most of their classes online, many colleges and universities require some time spent on campus even for online programs. These residencies are usually short but mandatory. Requirement details vary by school, but you can find a few example courses below.

Practicing nurses, managers, and nursing researchers need to understand the ethical standards of the healthcare industry, engage with their peers, and utilize research to improve health outcomes. Ph.D. programs are designed to help with this by creating new knowledge through research, defending the social significance of nursing, engaging scientists and nurses in scholarly discussion, and cultivating ethical responsibility in scientists.

Ph.D. focus on research benefits in particular. Graduates conduct research in a thorough, empirical manner, study the research of other scientists, and apply new discoveries to theoretical models or use them in clinical practice.

When searching for the perfect college or university, prospective students should consider accreditation. Accreditation — regional or national — proves that the institution meets rigorous academic standards. The majority of Ph.D. programs will not accept candidates who don’t have undergraduate or master’s degrees from accredited universities.

For nursing programs, students should look for accreditation from the Commission on the Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN), the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (COA), and the American College of Nurse-Midwives Division of Accreditation (ACNM).