Phd in Nursing-doing research or something other than teaching?

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I am currently working as a full time nurse but I want to get my Phd. I do not want to teach or do education though. I want to do research or clinical trials.

Are there any students that are getting their Phd now or nurses that have their Phd and are doing research or anything other than teaching with it?

What can you do with a Phd in nursing?

Was getting your Phd worth it (money wise, loans, hard work put into it) ?

What is your work day typical like (work flow, work weekends?) ?

What kind of institutions can you work for?

How is the job market?

Did you do an online program?

Did you work full time while in school? and how long did it take you to complete your Phd?

Thanks so much for taking the time to read this and answer!!

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I'm a newly accepted RN student starting at the only nursing school I applied to and it is an associate degree program (cost and timing being major factors). I would love to read specific replies to your question. What are your interests? In college, as a summer research intern, we did diabetes and geriatrics research. However, it was not nursing-focused and the professors taught. I doubt you wouldn't have teaching responsibilities. For me, once I'm at the point where I could apply to PhD programs (assuming I do) I would embraced the idea of teaching higher academics pertaining to my research studies. Let is discuss scientific ideas if you'd like. Good luck.

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yes I would love to know more about what someone with a Phd does or if a DNP route would be more what I am looking for!! I think research would definitely be interesting so I hope the answers to these questions will help me decide! I am not 100 % sure what route for my further education I want to do! I want to make sure I am making the right choice and that it will be something I love.

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I know a few PhD nurses who are working in advanced practice clinical roles at the medical center at which I work.

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Do you know their duties and responsibilities in those rules

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Specializes in Maternal-Newborn.

I'm currently in a PhD program. I will be completing my last year of coursework this year and then sitting for qualifying exams in May '15. I expect my dissertation process to take approximately 1 year during which time I will take a sabbatical from my teaching job to focus full-time on my dissertation writing and defense. To answer your questions:

1. What can you do with a nursing PhD? Research is by far the biggest focus with this degree, even more so than teaching, so if research or clinical trials are your thing....this is the degree for you! I have 17 years of experience in academia, so I plan to continue that along with research.

2. Was it worth it? I thoroughly expect it will be. I haven't spent that much money, because I have been the recipient of scholarships and fellowships (full tuition and stipend). As for work......it is an enormous amount of reading and writing. I do not exaggerate on this point! It is also very difficult material, with demanding, world-renowned (I have a professor who has published in excess of 300 peer-reviewed articles) teachers. I, and all my classmates in my co-hort, have experienced various blows to our self-esteem. We have also learned SO much!

3. What is my work day like? I'm a full-time faculty member at a 4 year university. I do not work weekends, or holidays. I currently have summers off as well, since I have no teaching responsibilities in the summer. Right now, I am assisting in data collection for one of the members of my PhD committee, but it's only a few hours a week.

4. What kind of institutions can your work for? Any kind of school of nursing would be happy to have you. You can also work in hospitals. You can develop a program of research at a research university (small or large). A PhD opens a lot of doors.

5. How is the job market? For nursing PhD's? One word. Outstanding.

6. Did you do an on-line program? No. I wouldn't recommend it, either. In a PhD program, working extremely closely with your adviser and committee members is of utmost importance. I spend a lot of time in her office. I have taken only one course (the first required statistics course) on-line in my program. Furthermore, your cohort is invaluable as a source of moral support. Believe me, sometimes you really need it!

7. How long did it take? I work full-time in a school of nursing. It has taken me 2 years so far, and I have 1 year of coursework to go. After that, I plan to complete my dissertation process in 1 year, while taking a sabbatical from my job. All in all, I should be completely done on a 4 year time-line from start to finish. I'm doing a secondary analysis of my advisers data in order to meet this time frame.

Good luck in your future endeavors!

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Specializes in NICU, Trauma, Oncology.

Clinical trials research nursing doesn't necessarily need a PhD/DNP. Clinical research is my end goal. Google "clinical research associate RN" that should give you am idea of the scope, certifications and degree required. Also check out SOCRA (society of clinical res assoc)

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thank you so much! I really appreciate you taking the time to answer all my questions!! I have one more question...What exactly will your job duties be with your Phd? Will you be working with other nurses in the research department or will you be doing your own research independently and writing research articles about it?

Thanks!!!

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THere's no specific set of "job duties" that go with a PhD. It's a degree. It opens many doors to many different opportunities. The "job duties" depend on what kind of position you are in at any given moment. Some people (with PhDs) teach and don't do any research. Some do just research and don't teach. Some choose to return to clinical practice. Some blend all those roles. It depends on what your interests are, and what positions are available (or what roles you are able to create within an organization).

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THere's no specific set of "job duties" that go with a PhD. It's a degree. It opens many doors to many different opportunities. The "job duties" depend on what kind of position you are in at any given moment. Some people (with PhDs) teach and don't do any research. Some do just research and don't teach. Some choose to return to clinical practice. Some blend all those roles. It depends on what your interests are, and what positions are available (or what roles you are able to create within an organization).

Would your salary be higher than a staff RN position with a Phd ( teaching or research )

Thanks for the input!!!

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Clinical trials research nursing doesn't necessarily need a PhD/DNP. Clinical research is my end goal. Google "clinical research associate RN" that should give you am idea of the scope, certifications and degree required. Also check out SOCRA (society of clinical res assoc)

Thank you!!!

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Would your salary be higher than a staff RN position with a Phd ( teaching or research )

Thanks for the input!!!

There are too many variables to be able to answer that question with a "yes" or "no." The PhD-prepared RNs I work with now get paid more for doing the same job that the MSN-prepared advanced practice nurses do, because they have the additional degree. That's one employer; that may or may not be true in other healthcare organizations. Plenty of PhD-prepared faculty members in schools of nursing make less than a full-time staff nurse making a decent hourly rate in clinical practice does. Plenty make more. It just depends on the particular circumstances.

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