Interested in PhD nursing/ appreciate advice

[cenochs]

Hello I currently have my BSN in Indiana. My background includes cardiac ICU (2 years), oncology PCU (1 year), and currently resource team (Med Surge, PCU) for about 6 months now.

I have been been thinking about higher education for a long time now mainly due to lack of job satisfaction as a bedside nurse.

After extensive research reviewing my options and even considering a change in career completely I would like more information about obtaining a pHD in nursing. This area seems to peak my interests and long term goals the most. I am seeking more information to see if this is really what I want to do before I decide to spend more time and money on school!

More about me: I am obsessed with reading and love to learn new things. I wouldn't consider myself a great writer but I enjoy writing. I am always asking myself at work - why are we doing it this way? What is the research behind this? When I notice something is not done based on the current research I get very frustrated. I also feel frustrated when I know I cannot change something for the better even if I voice it as a bedside nurse. I do not like a lot of attention I enjoy solitude and working "behind the scenes." These are some reason I believe a PHD may be the right fit for me.

If there is anyone out there who could give me advice it would be great.

-What would be a great starting point?

-Should I shadow a PhD nurse and how would I even find one to shadow?

-What do you plan on doing with your PhD when you graduate, or are currently doing?

Unfortunately there is really only one college in Indiana with a PHD program - Anyone from Indiana in a PhD program? Are you currently studying in Indiana or did you apply out of state? I have limited resources here.

Thanks!

[llg, PhD, RN]

I think it would help you to switch your focus away from the specific degree (PhD) -- and focus instead on the kind of work you want to do. A degree is just a credential that you get when you graduate from an educational program. The important thing is not the degree itself -- it is what you learned while in school and what you plan on doing with what you learned.

So what type of job would you be looking for with that PhD? Do you want to be a university professor? That is where most PhD's work. Would you be happy as a professor? teaching classes, grading assignments, advising students, serving on faculty committees to help run the school, etc. Those are some of things professors do in addition to doing research. If that interests you, then explore the faculty role and how to get into that line of work. Most faculty get an MSN and start their faculty careers teaching undergraduate classes and clinicals ... then get PhD's and move up the ladder.

Would you be more interested in working in Staff Develpment for a hospital or health care system. That's been my career path. I got my MSN and worked in staff development (Nursing Professional Development) ... got my PhD and stayed in that specialty.

Are you interested in working in Quality Improvement? That is another path where a PhD might find a career home. If so, explore those career options and the different types of education and experience you might obtain to pursue those types of jobs.

People with PhD's in nursing can work in a variety of different roles. Each role is part of a different career path. I recommend you start looking at the different career paths and deciding which one will suit you best. Then and only then will you be ready to start choosing educational programs that will help you progress along that path.

Good luck!