Ph.D in nursing help

Spacklehead, MSN, NP · Nov 12, 2009

I would suggest going for your MSN in nursing education and then maybe teaching a course or two at that level. Also, performing research and getting published would look great on a PhD application.

llg, PhD, RN · Nov 12, 2009

The path described by Softballmama is the standard path. Getting solid clinical skills is big plus. That usually takes more than a year of work experience, but you can continue to work while you pursue further education.

I suggest you start pursuing your options for graduate school. Are you willing/able to re-locate? If you are limited to schools in your region only, then go their websites, contact them, etc. to find out what they offer and what they require. If relocation is an option for you, then start exploring schools further away that appeal to you based on their location and what you can learn from their websites, etc.

There are a few PhD programs that accept students without MSN's -- but they are the minority. I know there is at least 1 active member here in such a program. Perhaps she will comment in this thread.

Search this forum for related threads and you'll find lots of conversations that might interest you.

Good luck!

llg, PhD, RN

UVA Grad Nursing · Nov 12, 2009

PhD programs are grounded in research. Do you have an idea of what you want to research now? If not, I would recommend waiting until you know what you want to examine and have an idea of the current state of the science. As a PhD student, you will be expected to add to the state of nursing science.

There are BSN-PhD programs out there, some of which you would earn a MSN degree along the way.

There is no easy answer regarding when to enter a program. The 'old school' advice in nursing was to work for 10 years between degres (entering MSN programs in mid-thirties and doctoral programs in your 40s). This advice is goind by the wayside. In other disciplines (sciences, humanities, social sciences), people enter doctoral programs within a few years of their BS/BA. While this is not apt for everyone, I do think it is easier to focus on doctoral study when you are younger and without other 'extras' (mortgage, family, etc).

There are a number of PhD programs that have generous scholarships (all PhD student at my university receive 2-3 years of full scholarship). The programs with the generous scholarship programs are generally residential programs and would require relocation --- again easier to do if you are w/o mortgages or family.

If you love nursing practice however and want to teach, I would encourage you to look at DNP programs. DNP graduates are getting hired as faculty too.

runrun · Nov 12, 2009

thanks for reply. i'm so ready to relocate.. no family/mortgage at this point. my first choice is to do research in managing RHD in developing countries. however i could not find any nursing school that focus on that. my second choice to do research is on controlling BP in african american population with low-income. what do you guys think of the PhD program at university of texas?

BBFRN, BSN, PhD · Nov 14, 2009

I'm currently in a BSN-PhD program. One of my good friends is doing her postdoc at Case Western at this time, and has told me that they are working toward a more global health focus, so you may want to consider their program. They do have a BSN-PhD option, as well.

One thing to note though, is that this is probably the most competitive doctoral nursing programs in the US, but it's definitely worth looking into. Here's the webpage: http://fpb.case.edu/PhD/entry.shtm

BBFRN, BSN, PhD · Nov 14, 2009

Another thing to note about this program, is that they are connected to the Cleveland Clinic, so you can't get any better than that, as far as having a cardiac population to study.