Thinking about PhD... where to begin?

[KatieMI, BSN, MSN, RN]

I am currently in Master's FNP program and starting to think what to do next besides, of course, work as an NP. That alone won't be enough for me. My program has a particular professor who made her whole career and became a nationally acclaimed expert specializing on a specific area of nursing research I feel very much interested in. The university has no PhD program for nursing studies, it only has DNP program, for which I'll have to work for a couple of years to get money, and I am not particularly interested in "overall" DNP anyway.

I really think about PhD, as I am a clinician and have no interest in policies and leadership but a strong interest in research and possible clinical applications of that particular area of nursing. So far, I did two courses with this professor and got A+ for both. Could anybody kindly let me know what can I do, how to proceed, or whom should I ask for help in university if I decide to go for PhD?

[llg, PhD, RN]

I assume that favorite professor of yours has a PhD. Why not talk to her? You might also talk to any other faculty members with PhD's to get their thoughts. Those conversations might help you clarify your hopes and plans for your career -- and whether or not a PhD would be a worthwhile investment.

Most nurses with PhD's work as faculty members. If being a faculty member is what you want, a PhD makes a lot of sense. That is where most of the work of research is done.

However, some of us work in other settings. I work in a hospital in the Staff Education Department -- in a job category designed for people with MSN's. Most of the work I do can be done by someone with and MSN -- and that is the amount I am paid, etc. However, I get the opportunity to work on a few projects of my own choosing that use my doctoral education and I am OK with the fact that I while I am not paid extra for my additional education, I do get a little preferential treatment in choosing my projects. I like my freedom and the chance to pick which projects I spend most of my time on. I also teach an occasional class at a local university.

2 other nurses with PhD's work at my hospital at the moment. One heads our Quality Management Department -- and the other works part time as a Nurse Practitioner while she also teaches at a university part time.

I recommend you talk to other people with PhD's and get their perspectives -- as well as get a sense of the kinds of work they do and careers they have. Then, as you work as an NP for a while, see if you can envision a career plan that will fit your needs/preferences well -- and decide whether a PhD is the right choice for you.