Doctor in Education-nursing ?

Published

Hi,

I wonder if you guys could give me your opinion.

I have started to look into PhD programs as well as other options for post master's education. My MSN is almost done, I am not becoming a NP as I did not feel strongly about it.

Currently I have a very good job that I like but I would like to educate more and also do some research. There are a couple of PhD programs I am still looking at. In addition, I also looked into options for a post - master's NP education track (which would be part-time).

I found a program for a doctor in education with specialization in nursing education. With those studies, there is of course a research focus that needs to be connected to the nursing education field.

I am definitely gravitating towards research and with it some education though I also very much like what I am doing now and probably want to keep this position which is 32 hours/week. Is the doctor of education a degree that is actually utilized in nursing education? I have asked the University for some information about where graduates with this degree work.

PhD or D.Ed ?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Nurse Leader specializing in Labor & Delivery.

If you want to stay in nursing, I would go with the PhD, rather than the Ed.D.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Nursing Professional Development.

There are lots of nursing educators with doctorates in education. It's not at all unheard of. Particularly, in the past ... there were very few options for nurses to get doctorates in nursing. PhD's in Nursing barely existed before 1980 and the DNP is a 21st century phenomenon. So back in the old days, nurses interested in doctoral studies had to get their degrees in other fields because they had no choice.

In recent years, some people still choose to get a doctoral degree in education because either the particular school's program is more convenient for them to take (being local, etc.) ... or because they truly want careers in nursing education and want academic training in the educational field. Most people I have known in that category have gotten EdD's and are nursing school administrators.

I think it is a matter of personal preference at this point for someone in your position. In what field do you want to do research? In what field do you want to focus the rest of your career? Do you want your highest level of expertise to be in nursing or education? Both are legitimate choices. For me, I wanted my terminal degree to be in nursing. I wanted to be the "most educated nurse" I could be. My commitment was to nursing. So I got a PhD in nursing. Then I got professionally certified in the type of education that I specialize in (Professional Development). That was the right choice for me ... but it's OK if the right choice for you is to get that final level of education in a different field if that's what fits you and your career plans the best.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in NICU, ICU, PICU, Academia.

Of the faculty at my school, I would say it's pretty evenly split EdD/PhD/DNP. All are terminal degrees, and as long as your masters is in nursing- either would be considered an appropriate terminal degree.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in MCH,NICU,NNsy,Educ,Village Nursing.

My PhD is in Higher Education. It has served me well in nursing education as well as other areas.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
There are lots of nursing educators with doctorates in education. It's not at all unheard of. Particularly, in the past ... there were very few options for nurses to get doctorates in nursing. PhD's in Nursing barely existed before 1980 and the DNP is a 21st century phenomenon. So back in the old days, nurses interested in doctoral studies had to get their degrees in other fields because they had no choice.

In recent years, some people still choose to get a doctoral degree in education because either the particular school's program is more convenient for them to take (being local, etc.) ... or because they truly want careers in nursing education and want academic training in the educational field. Most people I have known in that category have gotten EdD's and are nursing school administrators.

I think it is a matter of personal preference at this point for someone in your position. In what field do you want to do research? In what field do you want to focus the rest of your career? Do you want your highest level of expertise to be in nursing or education? Both are legitimate choices. For me, I wanted my terminal degree to be in nursing. I wanted to be the "most educated nurse" I could be. My commitment was to nursing. So I got a PhD in nursing. Then I got professionally certified in the type of education that I specialize in (Professional Development). That was the right choice for me ... but it's OK if the right choice for you is to get that final level of education in a different field if that's what fits you and your career plans the best.

I would like to do research in palliative care or clinical micro systems or both - along those lines. I think I am very set with end of life care at this point including palliative and hospice - I got specialty certified.

What you write makes a lot of sense and to be honest, I can not picture myself exclusively working in education. I do like to educate as part of my job or develop some educational products for the LMS or presentations. But I also enjoy the direct contact with patients though my position is not a traditional bedside one.

The Ed.D is close to my home, which would make it easy and it is very affordable.

The PhD seems a longer commitment and would require me to drive longer. Financially the PhD is more expensive - my son starts college in August and I pay for that as well. I cannot afford to not work and rely on a stipend plus I really like my position.

Since you have a PhD - how many hours a week did you dedicate to it?

Thanks for your insight!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Of the faculty at my school, I would say it's pretty evenly split EdD/PhD/DNP. All are terminal degrees, and as long as your masters is in nursing- either would be considered an appropriate terminal degree.

Do you think that EdD are better prepared to educate than PhD and DNP (unless it is a doctor in nursing education ?)

Thank you for your comment!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
My PhD is in Higher Education. It has served me well in nursing education as well as other areas.

I did not realize that there is a PhD in education and a EdD.

Do you mind telling me what you researched in education? Was it based on nursing education?

Thanks for you comment!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
If you want to stay in nursing, I would go with the PhD, rather than the Ed.D.

Thank you - I like to be a nurse and like some amount of patient contact. I am not in a traditional bedside role anymore and doubt I would be happy with it at this point in my life. And the only management I liked was clinical management when I did not have to ride everybody about productivity and such.

I like the idea of education but I am not sure that I would exclusively go for that.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

Moved to the Post-Graduate forum for more replies.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in orthopedic/trauma, Informatics, diabetes.

where I go, the DNP is meant for working nurses and the Ph.D, you are expected tp stop working and get a small stipend to do research. I am going to finish my DNP in prbablt 5 semesters, the Ph.D is 3-5 years and requires getting grant. We have many Ed.D nurses that are instructors.

I guess it depends on what you lvoe more: research or teaching. One of my ADN instructors got her Ed.d so she could teach. Ph.D is usually a research based person that happens to teach.

It is so complicated!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Assistant Professor, Nephrology, Internal Medicine.

Which nursing EdD are you looking at? I've found a few of them.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment