MPH considering nursing PhD

Nursing Students Post Graduate

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I have an MPH and am looking at PhD programs in Public Health. I recently learned that at my local university I can apply to the Nursing PhD program without being an RN. I am very interested in this option, as I have contemplated a career in nursing for quite some time. Does anyone have insights into the advantages of a nursing PhD over a PhD in epidemiology or health sciences research? Also, what disadvantages in terms of career options might I face if I pursue the nursing PhD without having an RN?

Thank you!

Mabeltoo

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Specializes in Trauma,ER,CCU/OHU/Nsg Ed/Nsg Research.

Hi mabeltoo;

I am in a nursing PhD program, but my research focus is such that I will be taking my cognate electives in public health. You may be able to do the same, if you wish- since your school doesn't require a nursing license for entry. I'm guessing you will still have to sit for the NCLEX when you complete the program?

This is a great time to become a nurse educator or researcher. We have a major shortage of PhD level nurse educators here in the US, and nursing research is really beginning to come into its own.

Do you know what your research focus will be? What are your interests? Are these closely aligned to the goals of the nursing program?

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BBFRN,

Thanks for your reply. My research interests are primarily in immigrant and refugee health, and exploring a community assets approach for reducing health disparities -- also in women's reproductive health. There are several faculty with similar or overlapping interests, so it seems like it would be a great fit. I could minor in social epidemiology, which is exciting too. I agree with your point about teaching, and would love to contribute to making nursing education more accessable to interested prospective students. I'm not sure about the NCLEX, but I would love it if that were true! It would be a slick way to acquire licensure. I'll have to look into that. Good luck with your program! I hope you are enjoying it!

Mabeltoo

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Specializes in Trauma,ER,CCU/OHU/Nsg Ed/Nsg Research.

Oh- if your interest matches several nurse faculty interests, then it sounds like a very good fit! You have certainly found a good area of need to explore. I know we have needs in my area, and one of my cohorts (who is also a FNP) has opened her own clinic for the immigrant population here.

You may not need to minor- with the PhD, you can take courses in other departments, as long as it correlates with your research focus, and your advisor agrees with it. In fact, my school encourages taking complementary electives in other departments. So, you could get some social epidemiology credits that way.

Plus, I don't know anyone who has minored in a PhD program, but someone more experienced than me may be able to tell you more about that. ;)

I am enjoying my program- most of the time...LOL. It's one big roller coaster ride. They tear you down to build you back up again the 'right' way. But, I absolutely LOVE it. The freedom in determining your own educational & professional destiny is great, and when you propose a good research idea, the support & excitement of the faculty is amazing. They really, really want to mentor those who will follow them- no matter whether you're their student or not. I think you're picking a fabulous field to transition into. ;)

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Mabeltoo:

What do you want to do when you complete a PHD program? If you are thinking that you might want to a faculty member in a school of nursing, you'll need to be sure to check out the Board of Nursing regulations in the states that you might work in. The Boards of Nursing of the 50 states (and commonwealths) have different rules for nursing faculty status. Some of the states mandate that faculty have Master's degrees in Nursing. Others do not have this requirement. These BON requirements are changing (I recall an AACN report from 2006 (I think) that indicated at that time, 24 states required Masters in Nursing, and 26 did not. One of our present Nursing PhD students who has a MPH (she was a BSN-prepared nurse already) made sure to earn her MSN last year to ensure that she could teach anywhere in the US when she graduates in 2010. She did not want to limit her job search to only half of the states.

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I so appreciate the thoughtful answers folks are writing! I am making a list of questions to ask a faculty member I've been in contact with at the school. This one will be among them.

Thank You!

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Specializes in Trauma,ER,CCU/OHU/Nsg Ed/Nsg Research.

My program now has an option for the BSN-PhD students, where we take a few extra courses, and earn a MSNed & teaching certificate, concurrent with the PhD courses. If your school has a BSN-PhD program, I wonder if you can also go that route? That's what I'm doing, so I can teach in the classroom as I finish up.

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Specializes in Critical Care, Progressive Care.
Also, what disadvantages in terms of career options might I face if I pursue the nursing PhD without having an RN?

Do you want work as a nurse?

If you are not a registered nurse (or anLVN) then you cannot legally work as nurse.

I attend nursing school a big research university. In my training so far I have only been taught be registered nurses. Some have their PhD, others an MS but all, without exception are RNs. Nurses have a culture and way of thinking a problem solving. Patient care is central to this way of thinking. And one cannot care for patients without a license.

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Specializes in Critical Care, Progressive Care.

A further thought...

You can apply to the PhD program without an RN but will you get one as part of the program? I suspect this might be the case....

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Specializes in cardiac surgery ACNP, PhD student.

Hi! I am a PhD in Nursing Science student too, but I'm a NP. At my university, there are several doctoral faculty that are not nurses. They bring their own areas of specialization and apply it to the domain of research and developing of nurse scholars and scientists. We have a internationally recognized social psychologist and we have our own statistician. They both love the nursing profession. They collaborate with nurse researchers and have certainly taught me a great deal.

It really depends on you: what are your goals? The bottom line is the foundation upon which you'd build your doctoral training. It also depends upon state and university regulations/requirements. Historically, prior to Nursing PhD programs, a lot of nurse faculty had PhDs in other disciplines. If you are successfully prepared as a scientist, the profession of nursing would be lucky to have your knowledge of public/global health.

I'd say go for it.

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Specializes in Global orphan care, ortho, geriatrics.

I'm aware of these programs, but you will not be an RN, you will just have a PhD in the field of nursing. Just as I will have a PhD in an unrelated field but I cannot practice in the practical domain of that particular field. I think a PhD in nursing will be difficult because of the absence of RN experience.

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Specializes in Cardiac and Geriatric.

I know this was posted several years ago. I am hoping that others are still researching this subject and may be able to answer a few questions. I am an RN-BSN and starting an MPH degree program. Is it really possible to obtain a doctoral degree in nursing without an MSN? I find this interesting and thought provoking. Also, is there a specific site that would list which states would allow such a process?

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