Best Doctorate Degree

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Specializes in ER, ICU, Family Practice.

Hey everyone. I am a nurse practitioner with a masters degree in nursing with an emphasis in family practice and a postmaster certificate as an emergency nurse practitioner. I'm duly certified as a family NP and emergency nurse practitioner from AANP.

I am looking to go back to school to finish a doctorate degree but am not convinced that the DNP is the way to go. Long-term, I would like to see myself working with at risk populations and even looking at global health. I would like to have the option to teach at the university level in my future. I'm curious what other options might be feasible for a doctorate degree.

I have looked into several but I'm not really sure what is the best fit for a nurse practitioner like myself. I do have some concerns about the future oversaturation of nurse practitioners and the watering down of the DNP curriculum. This has me thinking about looking outside of the nursing realm. I considered a doctorate degree of public health.

Any other thoughts or advice? Thanks in advance.

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

Moved to Doctoral Degrees

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There are dual DNP/PhD options available.

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In my opinion you don't need the DNP because you are a practicing NP at the moment. From what I have seen the DNP programs are more focused on clinical side, which you already have. Do you want to conduct research and add to the body of knowledge? Then I would consider a PhD in nursing. I am doing that with a focus in global nursing. You could pursue a PhD in public health, but I think it's easier to stay in your science and focus on public/global health with your research.

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Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.

If you want to perform research, PhD. If you want to apply existing research to clinical practice, DNP.

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Specializes in Vascular Neurology and Neurocritical Care.

From what you're saying about your desire to do work with at risk populations, this scream doctorate in public health to me. Alternatively, a nursing Ph.D. with a concentration in public health or at risk health populations would also work nicely as a second choice.

Good luck

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Specializes in ICU, ER, RESEARCH, REHAB, HOME HEALTH, QUALITY.

there is a shortage of primary care physicians, so I think you will be ok ..

Look at Saybrook University.. I am working on a PhD in Mind & Body Medicine, with an emphasis in Health Systems..

check it out.

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Specializes in psychiatric nursing.

I am very interested in the Mind-Body PhD at Saybrook. I am try to decide between that program and the DNP with the Integrative Health concentration at Regis.

I want to be able to teach someday at a university, so while I like the looks of the curriculum at Saybrook, and I think the DNP from Regis would be more marketable.

What are your plans to use your degree in mind / body?

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Specializes in ER, ICU, CCT-RN, Educator/Peds Clinical.

I finished my DNP in @ Touro University Nevada in 1 year and prepare you into teaching in the near future.

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MPH and doctorate in that field, PhD in DrPH.

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Specializes in ICU, ER, RESEARCH, REHAB, HOME HEALTH, QUALITY.

I want to do some consulting, but with a PhD I will be able to do many things,

anyway that is what I am hoping. I am writing a dissertation on nurse bullying and I want to present the results of this research to others. We will see what that brings.. Thanks so much for asking. I also believe I will be able to teach as well.

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