Anyone considering BSN-PhD program?

I am just curious if anyone is considering a BSN-PhD program. There are only a few schools around the country that are offering this option. My mentor has been trying to talk me into taking this route, and up until recently, I wouldn't even consider it. However, I've done a lot of soul-searching and I think I might go for it. Has anyone else thought about a BSN-PhD program?

[traumaRUs, MSN, APRN]

I did consider it but opted for the MSN instead and the reasons why included that if I decided to teach (which is the only option in my area), the pay-off wouldn't be worth the money. As it is, if I decide to teach with my MSN, I would take a huge pay cut and I can't afford that. However, I am looking into a post MSN clinical nurse specialist and hope that will make me employable. What are your goals? That might determine what path you take. You might also consider a DNP (doctorate of nursing practice) or a DNSc (doctorate of nursing science) if you want more of a clinical focus. Let me know what you decide...I'm always interested in the way people choose their career paths. Linda (LLG) will probably be along later to post to this thread also. She has a PhD and works in a hospital.

[llg, PhD, RN]

Linda (LLG) will probably be along later to post to this thread also. She has a PhD and works in a hospital.

lol .... Yes ... here I am.

I have always had mixed feelings about that option. I too had a mentor who recommended it for me many years ago and decided against it. I decided to get my MSN, then work for a few more years before going back to school for my PhD.

On one hand, I like to think that the direct BSN to PhD route should be a viable option for nurses. In other disciplines, people enter PhD programs right out of college at the age of 22. Why not nursing?

On the other hand, I believe that such a career path is the correct one for only a very small percentage of the nursing population. There is a very great danger that schools would fill those BSN-PhD programs with students who really don't belong in such a program -- and we would end up with a lot of people with PhD's on paper who really weren't functioning at the level we would like.

In most other disciplines, the practice of the discipline itself is very much like what people learn and do while in graduate school. After graduate school, the 28 year-old PhD gets a job a job as a post-doc working under the direction of other people with PhD's or they become an assistant professor teaching beginners the academic basics of the discipline. In other words, the graduate school experience includes the "practical application" of the material being studied and the typical career paths available for grad student assistants, etc. prepare them for the types of jobs they will be getting as a new PhD.

The situation with nursing is frequently different. Most nursing school experience focus on the academics with little actual practical experience build into the program. If a person went right from new grad to PhD program, he/she might never develop any real expertise (or even familiarity) with the realities of the practice of nursing. "Book learning" is terrific and necessary in the development of true nursing expertise. But so is practical "hands on" experience within the settings where patient care is provided. Also, nurses with PhD's usually seek (and get) leadership positions -- ones they might not be prepared for if they had only book learning and minimal practical experience. (Am I making any sense here?)

So ... if you are a nurse with several years experience in both direct patient care and with some experience in leadership roles ... then I see nothing wrong with going to a program that takes you from BSN to PhD as quickly and smoothly as can be done.

However, if you are a new grad nurse or one with only a little bit of practical experience ... and/or have no experience providing nursing leadership at any level ... then I think that it would be premature for you to enter a PhD program. Unless... maybe if you were going to do that PhD program slowly over a period of years during which you would also be getting the practical experience needed to supplement the book learning.

So... back to my original statement ... for SOME people, I think a BSN to PhD program is a good thing and should be supported. Those people are the ones who have enough practical experience to "flesh out" the academic work. However, it is the wrong career path for other people -- particularly those who do not have sufficient practical experience to back up the scholarly work.

That's my $.02

llg

[HealthyRN]

Thank you for your responses. My lack of clinical experience is one reason why I have been hesitant. If I were to pursue this program, I would work part-time as a nurse for two years and as a nurse practitioner for at least 2-3 years (I've been told that this is feasible). I realize that is still not enough time to be completely comfortable in clincal practice. However, I am really interested in nursing research. I don't know how many jobs are available for PhDs outside of academia though. I would not want to teach until quite a few years after obtaining the degree.

[Tweety, BSN, RN]

Great post as always Linda!

If you're considering a PhD, I think it's a great option because you don't have to repeat courses that you take on a Masters Level and then turn around and take them on the PhD level.

It's quite a commitment of time and money. The BSN to PhD program here requires lots of references and for you to be in the Top 10% of your BSN class. If I were 20 years young I might even consider it.

Good luck in whatever you do.

[AngelaNurses]

I just registered on here because of this thread!

I am a 44yo nurse - graduated with BSN 2 years ago and have been working in critical care since. Also have a prior bachelor's degree. Really love research and have been considering the BSN-PhD option myself. For someone really looking at research, is this a good option? I am also curious - what happens if life interferes and that 4 year program gets interrupted for unforeseen circumstances?

thanks -

Angela

[llg, PhD, RN]

I just registered on here because of this thread!

I am a 44yo nurse - graduated with BSN 2 years ago and have been working in critical care since. Also have a prior bachelor's degree. Really love research and have been considering the BSN-PhD option myself. For someone really looking at research, is this a good option? I am also curious - what happens if life interferes and that 4 year program gets interrupted for unforeseen circumstances?

thanks -

Angela

What happens if your program gets interrupted depends on your school policies. Most schools let you drop out for a while and then return. However, whether or not you would have to repeat any classes or take additional ones would depend on a lot of things -- such as the particular school's policies, how long you had dropped out for, and whether or not the curriculum had changed significantly while you were "away."

Another thing to consider is whether or not the program awards an MSN along the way. If that's the case, then you could complete the MSN portion and practice at that level for a little while if you needed a little break in the schooling. However, if the school does not award that degree as part of the process, then you would have no advanced degree until you finished the whole process. If you dropped out (for a little while, or permanently), you would just have your BSN plus some extra courses you had taken.

You should talk with the particular school in question to find out their policies about such things.

[Camphope]

I too have been bitten by this bug. I am a new grad, just recently employed at a top facility, and my non quenching desire for higher learning keeps me torn between working and getting the experience first, or combine the two (school and work experience).

I know I would like to achieve that PhD status (SOMEDAY), and I know that I am not one for giving up on anything. So maybe if I go to it directly, I would have a greater chance of achieving it b/c of my resilient nature. If I do the MBA/MSN to NP cert to PhD/DNP, I may stop on the way, and never pick it back up.

So , I am considering it