PhD in Nursing vs PhD in Education

VickyRN, MSN, DNP, RN · Sep 22, 2009

Most nursing programs prefer faculty with the PhD in Nursing rather than the education doctorate.

llg, PhD, RN · Sep 22, 2009

If you don't like research ... what do you plan on doing with a PhD? Graduate faculty members are expected to do research -- and few other positions require a PhD.

Also ... a PhD program in education would include a lot of research. The only difference is that the research would be focused on educational topics. But you would still be taking research classes, etc.

If you are interested in learning more about education, why not take a few nursing education classes? There are plenty of programs around in that. You could take some nursing education courses, get certified in nursing education, etc. That should meet your desire to learn more about education.

Then, if you want to pursue a PhD (a degree focused on research regardless on what discipline you get it in) ... you can still do that when you are feeling more positive about the research focus that those programs have.

elkpark · Sep 22, 2009

If you don't like research ... what do you plan on doing with a PhD? Graduate faculty members are expected to do research -- and few other positions require a PhD.
Also ... a PhD program in education would include a lot of research. The only difference is that the research would be focused on educational topics. But you would still be taking research classes, etc.

That was my first thought, also, when I saw the OP. You're sick of nursing research, soooo -- you think you'd like education research better?? Any PhD program is going to primarily be "about" research, it's just a matter of what specific topic area you're researching, and most people understand the point of getting a PhD to be that you're going to continue to conduct research after you've completed the degree.

If someone is really sick of nursing (and, presumably, other "flavors" of) research, -- and I'm certainly not suggesting there's anything wrong with that -- maybe a PhD program isn't really what you want.

I second llg's excellent suggestion, to pursue teaching courses and maybe certification. Best wishes!

bookwormom · Sep 29, 2009

You might consider an EdD. These programs come in different varieties, but you might find one with an emphasis that appeals to your career interests.

AOx1 · Oct 23, 2009

Honestly, with many accreditation bodies now calling for 20% of faculty to hold a doctorate, when many programs (especially in rural areas) struggle to find master's level faculty, I believe there will be a very high demand for faculty in possession of either degree.

I do think it is important to round out your education. By that I mean to identify your own personal areas in which you would benefit from more education. In my own situation, my master's coursework did not strongly focus on adult education, on teaching methods, and on research related to education and its best practices. I wanted this information, and am currently pursuing my EdD, but of course, this was simply the right choice for me. Before you pursue more education, find course content that excites you, that motivates you to learn more and will contribute to your students' and your own learning. Whether that happens to be focused on nursing or on education, you will have found a worthwhile area of study that is right for you.

ParkerBC,MSN,RN, PhD, RN · Dec 5, 2009

I hope I do not sound stupid when I ask the question, but when you ask which degree is better PhD in Nursing vs PhD in Education, are you speaking of a PhD in Nursing Eduation? And for those of you replying, do you think a PhD in Nursing Education is appropriate for university work? I think my research interest would be more geared towards Nursing Education vesus Nursing Science. Some of the courses for the PhD program include some Nursing Science courses, but the main focus, of course, is Nursing Education.

Any thoughts?