CNS in Oncology to PhD?? PLEASE HELP

Editorial Team / Admin · Oct 28, 2005

Hi. i'm a nursing student (going for my BSN) and i am planning on continuing and getting my master's and becoming a CNS specializing in oncology. my problem is i would really love to get my PhD in nursing. my prof. actually first suggested it and he thinks i would do well in research. i would like to do both...treat patients and be able to do research in onc. as well. sooooo i have asked around at hospitals and they all say that a CNS is a CNS and if i continue to get a doctorate i won't be paid anymore than any other CNS and that there's not many research opportunities unless i go work for a drug company. does anyone have any thoughts or input on this??? any info would be helpful. thanks:rolleyes:

Hello, AJfutureCNS/Phd,:balloons:

Welcome to Allnurses.com. Great to have you with us.

I am not a CNS. I am an NP. But, I think I can answer your question. No, having a PhD will not make much difference as far as pay in comparison to your CNS collegues without PhD.

Acquiring the PhD is admirable, however. I do hope you are successful and wish you much luck. Looks as if you have an exciting career ahead of you.

elkpark · Oct 29, 2005

Siri is correct that a CNS with a PhD will not necessarily get paid much more than a CNS without a PhD. However, having the PhD will create a wider range of professional opportunities and options for you. You sound like you are interested in more considerations than just the money, and, if you really want it, then it is worth doing.

Also, there are many opportunities for nursing research besides drug companies. I don't know who is telling you that, but they are not v. well informed.

Welcome to allnurses!

llg, PhD, RN · Oct 29, 2005

I spent most of my career in CNS and/or staff development roles. Then I got my PhD. Then I went back to a CNS/staff development role (at a different hospital in a different section of the country) with no increase in pay. At that time (8 years ago), I found no opportunities available that were designed for a doctorally prepared CNS type person.

Over the last 8 years, my role has evolved to be a bit different than the other Master's prepared folks in advanced practice roles -- but I am still in the same job category and still make the same that they do. However, I have been able to negotiate a role that is more suited to my interests and I have been able to "get out of" some of the tasks that I hate. I also have more freedom to choose my own hours, choose my own projects, etc. So ... while I don't make more money, I have a better quality of work life -- and that means a lot to me.

I was recently contacted by a head hunter who was urging me to apply for a job that would give me significantly more money. However, it would also be in an area with a higher cost of living and would require me to work more hours per week. (I rarely work more than 40 anymore.) Because of the extra stress that such a job would bring to my life, I decided to not even apply for it. For me, the quality of my work life, my schedule, my autonomy, etc. are more important than a few bucks.

I believe that there will be more and more hospital jobs for doctorally prepared nurses in the future. We "pioneers" are out there and growing in numbers. At the moment, you have to be flexible and prepared to be very independent. As the only PhD nurse in the hospital, there isn't anyone who shares my educational background: that makes some things tough -- but gives me the freedom to be my own unique self.

As with most things in life ... you have to accept the bad with the good. Who knows what the world will be like 10, 20, 30 years from now when you will be trying to find/create your place in the nursing profession? In the end ... it really won't be as much about what the world will be like as it will be about what you have to offer and how you can package yourself to "sell" to an employer in exchange for the things you want.

llg

AJfutureCNS/Phd · Oct 29, 2005

thanks so much everyone for the replies :) . you are right i'm not concerned about the money issue, just curious. my main focus is my contribution to patient care and research. that to me is the most rewarding thing. i just found out about the AACN's push for NP's and CNS's to have a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree. they just decided it a few days ago. they want all NP's and CNS's to have their doctorate as an DNP by 2015, but of course those already practicing won't be affected. i found two great articles.

http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/453247_1 (you have to register to read it, but it's free) and

http://www.aacn.nche.edu/Media/NewsReleases/2005/CCNEDNP.htm

elkpark · Oct 29, 2005

There are several recent threads here about the "clinical doctorate for advanced practice" proposal that you may want to search and review.

Keep in mind that the degrees the AACN is talking about are clinical doctorates, not PhDs -- they are intended to prepare people as "clinical experts" (whatever that means above and beyond what those of us who are currently advanced practice nurses got), not as scholars and researchers.

The proposal is somewhat controversial.

AJfutureCNS/Phd · Oct 30, 2005

oh yes....i'm sorry that i was unclear. the articles were just in reference to NP's and CNS's having to get a DNP and not just a master's in the future...i think the proposal says by 2015 they want it to be implemented. i had never heard of it until recently, but i am definitely interested in it...my goal is a doctorate...i'm just going to take my time figuring out if i should go the PhD or DNP route...i'm kind of torn between focusing more on patients or research....mmmpph. thanks to everyone for the replies and HELLOOooooo