Advice re: Phd?

[shmassrn]

Hi Everyone,

First of all, I am new to allnurses.com (I just registered)! However, I remember searching and reading some posts while I was in my ADN program several years ago and have always appreciated the candid sharing of information in this community. I am finishing my MSN to become an NP and really want to begin a Phd program in nursing next year. My goal would be to work in academia full time and to practice clinically part time. For members who are working on, have completed, or even began a Phd program and changed their minds - would you share some thoughts about the typical coursework? For example, what are the assignments like in the statistics courses versus the methods courses? I'm having a hard time envisioning what the "day to day" experience would be like and would appreciate any insight you may have. Thank you!

[nurseprnRN, BSN, RN]

I am going to answer a question you haven't asked, sorry; someone else can take it from there.

As an editor who gets papers submitted from PhD/DNSc students, I have one very, dead-serious recommendation: Do NOT take a for-profit online program. I know they are seductive about working on your own time and the TV ads and "credit for life experience" and all that, but seriously? I have never once seen a paper come in from one of those programs that was worth spit. Awful stuff. "Research" that's really opinion-polling, poor analysis skills, bad writing...this sort of thing gives academic advancement a really bad name, and makes real degrees suspect. Not to mention the outrageous cost and the marketing that's more important than the education to the "school."

Go to a real school where you will be sitting down with your faculty and classmates, exchanging ideas, networking, strengthening each other's critical thinking skills, having worthwhile critiques of your work, and learning how to do and evaluate real (not bogus) research.

[shmassrn]

Hi GrnTea,

I definitely appreciate the advice. I can see how people get lured into the online programs. The program I intend to apply to is the state university in my state which has a good reputation and face-to-face classes. I guess my question is more along the lines of what to expect in the classes, e.g. what are the assignments like in a class on advanced regression analysis? That being said, I greatly appreciate your advice and will continue to appreciate any advice related to the nursing Phd programs!

[iteachob, MSN, RN]

Hi,

I am currently in a PhD program (large state university). I completed my qualitative methods class in April. LOVED it. Lots of reading, practicing some of the methods (non-participant observation, lifeline interview method, etc). My professor was awesome....from Great Britain (bonus: very cool accent). I take quantitative methods in the Fall.

As for statistics, the class in general statistical methods was not bad at all. I had seen a lot of it before. Right now (literally, right now) I am taking Regression & Analysis. The assignments consist mostly of problems/data that you have to run through minitab and then analyze the output. Other than the moments when I think my head might actually explode, it has not been too bad. A helpful professor and a good cohort to go through it with are highly recommended.

[shmassrn]

Hi iteachob,

Thank you so much for taking the time to respond to my post. You've given me a clearer picture of what the courses may actually be like. I am definitely leaning towards applying to the state program. I really love research and I think that I can handle the statistics, but math was never my strongest area. I'm also a little tech illiterate, so I hope they walk me through the software! Thanks for sharing and best wishes as you continue your studies!