PhD/NP advice

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I am posting in hopes of soliciting some feedback from clinical nurse practioners and if possible any nurse practiioners with PhDs. I am currently a second year grad student in an unrelated program. Beginning in the Fall I plan in enrolling in the minimum grad hrs to be considered a full-time student (9 hrs) while simultaneously pursuing an ADN at my local community college (10 hrs/semester). My plan is to graduate with ADN in Spring '08 to get licensed as an RN and the following year (Spring '09) to graduate with a PhD in Speech and Hearing Science. My goal is to pursue an MSN Nurse Practioner program following completion of the PhD. Now that you have some background, I would like to ask two questions

(1) Am I getting in way over my head with doing 9 grad hrs (PhD) and 10 undergrad hrs (nursing) simultaneously? Additonal notes include: I have a 5 year old daughter that spends three nights a week with me, need to work part-time while in school, and ADN program is 30 minutes away. The ADN program requires me to be there 4 days per week mainly just from early morning until early/mid-afternoon. I am a procrastinator but also one of the top students in my dept's program. Additonally, I have worked as a pharmacy technician for the past 4½ years (also took course in pharm nursing dept at university doin PhD at) so pharmacology is not a problem for me. I dont have a problem writing papers but would likely be annoyed by nursing theory/diag/care plans.

(2) My goal is to be a nurse practioner in ENT but cannot in ENT then in neuro or neurosurg. I would like to collaborate with physicians to do clinical research in field. My question is : is it unlikely that a physician would want to do research when not associated with a med school and with not being compensated for it? If they did not want to do research, how likely is it that they would tolerate me doin it within their clinic assuming it did not take up significant time from my work? Lastly, do university nursing programs frown upon NPs having PhDs in non-nursing areas as opposed to nursing?

Sorry my post is so long and thanks in advance for your responses

Mark

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Specializes in Education, FP, LNC, Forensics, ED, OB.
I am posting in hopes of soliciting some feedback from clinical nurse practioners and if possible any nurse practiioners with PhDs. I am currently a second year grad student in an unrelated program. Beginning in the Fall I plan in enrolling in the minimum grad hrs to be considered a full-time student (9 hrs) while simultaneously pursuing an ADN at my local community college (10 hrs/semester). My plan is to graduate with ADN in Spring '08 to get licensed as an RN and the following year (Spring '09) to graduate with a PhD in Speech and Hearing Science. My goal is to pursue an MSN Nurse Practioner program following completion of the PhD. Now that you have some background, I would like to ask two questions

(1) Am I getting in way over my head with doing 9 grad hrs (PhD) and 10 undergrad hrs (nursing) simultaneously? Additonal notes include: I have a 5 year old daughter that spends three nights a week with me, need to work part-time while in school, and ADN program is 30 minutes away. The ADN program requires me to be there 4 days per week mainly just from early morning until early/mid-afternoon. I am a procrastinator but also one of the top students in my dept's program. Additonally, I have worked as a pharmacy technician for the past 4½ years (also took course in pharm nursing dept at university doin PhD at) so pharmacology is not a problem for me. I dont have a problem writing papers but would likely be annoyed by nursing theory/diag/care plans.

(2) My goal is to be a nurse practioner in ENT but cannot in ENT then in neuro or neurosurg. I would like to collaborate with physicians to do clinical research in field. My question is : is it unlikely that a physician would want to do research when not associated with a med school and with not being compensated for it? If they did not want to do research, how likely is it that they would tolerate me doin it within their clinic assuming it did not take up significant time from my work? Lastly, do university nursing programs frown upon NPs having PhDs in non-nursing areas as opposed to nursing?

Sorry my post is so long and thanks in advance for your responses

Mark

Hello, Mark,:balloons:

It appears you are very disciplined with your programs and job so, I think you will have no problem handling that load.

You are correct in the statement that doing care plans might be somewhat "annoying", but, most definitely needed in order to learn how to deliver care to your patient effectively. The theory courses will enable you to prepare for clinicals. Not to mention they all come together to help prepare you for the NCLEX.

As for the NP track, I think you will do well. You will have a well rounded background and probably will be successful.

Where I am, our physicians have no problem allowing research to be conducted without compensation. The individuals doing this must sign the appropriate contracts (mostly revolving around HIPAA) in our facility regarding policy/procedure/confidentiality, etc.

And, lastly regarding whether the schools frown upon the nurse with non-nursing PhD, I guess that could be an issue with some, but, certainly not the norm.

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thank u for your reply siri

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chicoborja,

I'm in almost exactly the same boat as you in that I'm doing a PhD in a non-related field (biomedical engineering) and currently doing pre-requisites for an accelerated BSN program.

My goals is to do biomedical research with a clinical emphasis. I'm planning to work in the government doing being both an NP at a clinic and also a researcher, but only research in a clinic or paper work, no more lab work like now.

Now, my question is, do you think my PhD will be frowned upon when I apply for the accelerated BSN program? I'm only worry about this since my marks are excellent and I volunteer regularly at hospitals, so I know what I'm getting into.

Thanks!

ASYL

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LOL, I don't know how anybody could frown upon a PhD in biomedical engineering. If anything, they might only be hesitant about accepting you becuz they might be afraid u may upstage the professors on a variety of issues. If they don't accept you, it would only prove that they are more self-serving and fear driven than wanting what is best for the nursing profession and its associated public image. Nursing needs more researchers/professionals with firm grounding in the sciences whether it be the basic sciences or behavioral sciences. I have my reservations about "nursing science".

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I'm actually in a very similar position... in year 4 of a PhD in cell biology.

I'm applying to direct-entry MSN programs right now, for entry fall 2006. (*please* don't start with the criticisms of those, i'm well aware of the debate)

Yes, this means that I do not think that I will finish my PhD. Coming to this conclusion has been the most painful process of my life, and I can't really say it's over yet... I still have at least 9 more months where I am in the lab and dealing with a PI who is NOT thrilled with me.

Anyhow, I can't really comment on how a PhD will be viewed, but I wanted to let you know you aren't alone out there!

janony

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Thanks! I guess I will find out once I've applied... So happy that there are others in this boat. My parents are so unsupportive and thinks I'm crazy.

Yeah, biology PhD is tough... Could you at least get a Masters with the research you have so far? I wish you all the best with your PI...

Another question is, do you tell your PI you're considering applying to nursing school? I think I might do that eventually, but I'm afraid people in the department will have similar reactions as my parents =(

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