Possible Ph.D. Candidate-Need Advice, Please!

nursemaa · May 15, 2005

Hello!
I really enjoy reading all of your threads in this forum; I find them very informative. I am currently applying to a PhD program after having just finished my BSN. This route seems to be more research intensive, which is what I am predominantly interested in. I have already gotten preliminary approval for my area of research interest, but what concerns me is the teaching! I have never taught before, and am nervous about it. Do you all have any general advice? I was very up front with the advisor at the university about my lack of teaching experience, and she did not hesitate to encourage me to apply anyway. Were you all nervous before you taught for the first time?

How is it that you are applying for a PhD program when you just finished your BSN? I've never heard of a university that will allow you to teach or to pursue a PhD unless you have a Master's degree....and I'm not sure but I don't believe that teaching is usually a requirement while you're pursuing your PhD...although research definitely is. Where did you apply?

mitchsmom · May 15, 2005

How is it that you are applying for a PhD program when you just finished your BSN? I've never heard of a university that will allow you to teach or to pursue a PhD unless you have a Master's degree....and I'm not sure but I don't believe that teaching is usually a requirement while you're pursuing your PhD...although research definitely is. Where did you apply?

I think it's a trend lately to offer BSN- PhD. programs. Some offer a Master's along the way, some don't.

Here's a list of some of these programs:

http://www.aacn.nche.edu/Publications/AcceleratedPrograms.htm

Tweety, BSN, RN · May 15, 2005

University of South Florida in Tampa, Fl has a BSN to PhD in nursing. The idea is that you don't repeat courses that are in both the MSN program and the PhD program. There's a lot of requirements to get in, one of them being you must be in the top 10% of your BSN program which must be at an NLN approved school.

Good luck to the original poster. Sorry, I can't help you otherwise.

nursemaa · May 15, 2005

Well there you go...guess you learn something new every day. I didn't know such programs existed. The PhD programs I've seen build on alot of what the Master's programs have that the BSN's don't- like advanced research courses etc. I would think it would be intimidating to go for the PhD without the "transition" of the MSN. Good luck!!! :)

J_W, DNP, APRN, CNS · May 16, 2005

THe Doctoral program I am in also has a BSN to PhD entry route along with a MSN entry route. THe MSN student gets credit for about 22-24 hours toward the PhD hours. Yes this is odd to me, but I know students who graduate in May with BSN and start PhD program in the Fall...I say you need experience on the floor, etc..most of the students who do this go part-time and work as nurse during PhD program....You have to look at what you would like to be doing in 5-10 years, if research is something you like then a PhD is appropriate. As far as teaching it would help to take a minor in Nursing education if such is offered at your school. Most PhD nurses teach as faculty, but there are some who do nothing but research full-time...Then there are those that are hired by hospitals to be research consultants or nurse researchers, just another option for you to think about...Good luck...