PhD right after FNP-MSN?

[SaintlyJ]

Has anyone ever started a PhD program right after completing an MSN degree? I will be graduating with an MSN as an FNP in May 2016, and am currently in the process of preparing applications for fully-funded (with a stipend) nursing PhD programs to start in the Fall of 2016. My ultimate goal is to gain tenure as a professor in a major research university, while still practicing as an FNP part-time in the area of my research interest (HIV-AIDS). I've seen mostly MD-PhD's and even some NP-PhD professors pull this off in their own way, however I am curious to find out if anyone thinks it would be feasible to gain skills as a new NP working part-time during a 3-5 year PhD program (and programs I'm interested in do allow part-time work).

I know a logical way to pull this off would be to work full time as an NP for a certain period of time, however I've done a decent amount of research-related activities the past couple years and feel prepared to begin a PhD program, however I am nervous that my research skills and professional academic contacts could deteriorate if I left academia for clinic work for a few years, thus potentially reducing my chances to obtain a fully-funded PhD slot at a top nursing school with my research interest.

Any thoughts?

[llg, PhD, RN]

I've known several NP's with PhD's. If you want a research career, a PhD is the way to go. Congratulations on getting the funding. Enjoy it.

llg, PhD, RN-BC

[SaintlyJ]

I've known several NP's with PhD's. If you want a research career, a PhD is the way to go. Congratulations on getting the funding. Enjoy it.

llg, PhD, RN-BC

Hi llg! I currently don't have a funded position yet, but am preparing to apply to them this upcoming fall and there aren't many spots. I feel at this point I may be a competitive candidate to receive a funded PhD slot at some of these schools that have them, however I am nervous that if I stepped away for a couple years to practice as an NP, I won't be as competitive. I would love a career in research, however I also feel that being able to practice part time as an NP might allow me to continuously gain insight on the current state of my research, as well as possibly provide me with a different perspective on how to approach a research problem. Perhaps so, perhaps not?

I suppose I already know that this is the path that I will take, however I guess I'm just gathering perspectives on how other nurses navigated their journey to a PhD. :)

[llg, PhD, RN]

Sorry. I misread your post. I thought you already had the funding.

There is definitely an advantage to getting some practice experience as an NP before returning to school. If you don't have a slot yet in a PhD program, I would recommend working a little first. 1 year off from school to get your feet on the ground as an NP won't hurt your school chances -- and you may be able to work part time as an NP during your PhD program. But if you are going to try to work while going to school, it would be best to get settled in your job first -- and then only work very little while in school.

[SHGR, MSN, RN, CNS]

SaintlyJ, where are you applying? University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee seems to have a strong HIV/AIDS research focus (one reason I personally did not want to apply there).