You need some educating!!!!!!!

scribblerpnp · Jun 5, 2007

Someone mentioned that the advanced practice nurse will soon be required to have a doctorate. This is correct. It has been made to be understood that it will happen (how long is anyone's guess- but I would think withon the next 10 years). This force is so strong that most MSN nurse practitioner programs are phasing them out and starting DNP (doctorate of nursing practice programs). This is NOT the same thing as a PhD, but it is yet another type of doctoral program that would be open for a nurse.

gt4everpn, BSN, RN · Jun 6, 2007

Research, start your own business, teach other Ph.D. candidates, publish papers, write textbooks, work for Fed gov.
What did you have in mind when you got it?

I was just wonderin, I'm kinda planning on going for it, but no time soon. Work for the Feds, really, doing what exaclty?

gt4everpn, BSN, RN · Jun 6, 2007

I have my PhD in Nursing and work for a children's hospital. Here is a list of some of the things I do in my job:
1. Teach classes for the nurses who work at the hospital
2. Help analyze the status and needs of our nursing workforce -- recruitment, retention, etc. Monitor national trends in workforce issues and help the hospital develop projects and programs to address any problems.
3. Act as a liaison between my hospital and the local schools of nursing (arranging student experiences, trouble-shooting problems, etc.)
4. I developed (and now run) a summer extern program for nursing students. Extern programs are jobs/education programs for nursing students.
5. I established (and now run) a scholarship program for nursing students
6. I have done a little writing for publication and speaking at professional conferences
7. I recently taught a course at a local school of nursing

WoW, how admirable, If you don't mind me asking is you salary much higher than say, a nurse with her masters or does it vary by not much?

llg, PhD, RN · Jun 6, 2007

WoW, how admirable, If you don't mind me asking is you salary much higher than say, a nurse with her masters or does it vary by not much?

Roles like mine are pretty rare ... and I knew I was very fortunate that my employer was considering creating a job for me like that. I also knew that asking for a lot of money would make it more difficult for my boss to get permission to create the job for me.

So ... I made a deal. I wouldn't ask for a raise and she would give me lots of freedom, flexibility, autonomy and work expectations that would not require more than a 40-hour work week. Some people may think that money is more important than those things, but to me, those things make for a high quality of life. I would rather have a good quality of life and make a little less money than be unhappy earning more money.

I am paid exactly the same as the Master's-prepared CNS's. But I have much more flexibility etc. than they do -- and I have an extraordinary quality of worklife in this position. That quality of life means more to me than money. Besides, I make as much (if not more) than most college faculty -- which is the other major alternative employment opportunity for nurses with PhD's.

Yes, I would be happy to earn more money -- but I understand that if they paid me more money, they would expect me to work more, and that would mean a decreased quality of life. So I am happy with the deal that I made.

Interestingly, that deal is in jeopardy at the moment as I have just gotten a new boss. If she starts making a lot of difficult demands, I'm not sure what I'll do. When and how do I bring up the deal I made with the previous Vice President? That could be a problem.

As a general rule -- PhD's don't add a lot of income in most professions (not just nursing). The people who get PhD's want PhD's for the intrinsic pleasure they get in the educational process and the personal satisfaction that the education brings. The degree also opens up a few opportunities that are not otherwise available -- even though those opportunities rarely pay much more than Master's-level jobs. In other words, few people do it for the money.

joannep · Jun 8, 2007

I am quite sure my body would not respond well if I were doing bedside, inpatient nursing. I have several chronic health problems and I really get exhausted when I have to be on my feet for a long time and/or teach for a few hours.

Thank you for writing that. I sometimes mentally flog myself because I am not working in a clinical role anymore and feel guilty, but I also know that I physically cannot do that role.

llg, PhD, RN · Jun 8, 2007

I am quite sure my body would not respond well if I were doing bedside, inpatient nursing. I have several chronic health problems and I really get exhausted when I have to be on my feet for a long time and/or teach for a few hours.
Thank you for writing that. I sometimes mentally flog myself because I am not working in a clinical role anymore and feel guilty, but I also know that I physically cannot do that role.

You're welcome. In fact, if I don't get more energy after getting lots of rest this weekend, I am going back to my doctor. I think I may have mononucleosis again -- either that, or I'm having a bad reaction to my new med for my hypertension. Either way, I can barely keep my eyes open after about 4 hours of work and am so tired I can't think straight.