Doctoral Programs in Nursing
Like nurses with master's degrees, nurses with doctoral degrees are expected to have tremendous job demand over the next ten years. These programs prepare nurses for careers in health administration (a PhD is the preferred degree for nursing executives), clinical research, and advanced clinical practice. The programs take from four to six years to complete, so they represent a significant commitment on your part.
In a doctoral program everyone receives training in research methods (including statistics and data analysis), the history and philosophy of nursing science, and in leadership skills. But it's up to you to focus in on a specific research area for your degree. Compared to a BSN or MSN, it's important to match your particular interests with those of a particular faculty member.
Doctor of Nursing Programs
ND programs usually require 3-5 years of full-time study, including summers. While the focus areas of the program will vary by school, the ND degree generally builds on the role of the advanced practice nurse and is more focused on developing advanced practice nurse specialist skills. The goal is to prepare leaders who can affect change through system redesign and evidenced-based decision making in a variety of clinical, organizational and educational settings.
Doctor of Nursing Practice Programs
This is an emerging doctoral program, thus focus areas will vary by school. DNP programs usually require 3 years of full-time study and emphasize clinical practice-oriented leadership development. The goal is to prepare graduates for leadership positions in research, clinical care delivery, patient outcomes and system management. Graduates will be experts managing the complex balance between quality of care, access and fiscal responsibilities.
Doctor of Nursing Science
Graduates of a DNSc program are prepared as nurse scientists with the investigative skills of a researcher and the clinical and leadership skills necessary to influence the health care system. Health outcomes measurement, health care economics, statistical analysis and informatics are common focus areas. A clinical defense and dissertation are common requirements.
Doctor of Philosophy Programs
PhD programs prepare nurse scholars and researchers who will contribute to the growth of nursing science through scholarly research that advances the theoretical foundation of nursing practice and health care delivery. Graduates will be qualified to engage in all dimensions of professional and scholarly life, including the conduct of scholarly inquiry, leadership in health care delivery systems and public policy formation.
MSN/PhD Dual Degree This program is for highly qualified nurses with a bachelor's degree in nursing who are interested in an intensive, accelerated program simultaneously offering master's preparation and advanced research training at the doctoral level. A typical program takes 5 years to complete. Some schools offer programs for students entering with a non-nursing bachelor's degree.
Accelerated BSN to PhD
These relatively rare programs are focused on students who have definite plans for being a researcher or teacher of nursing in your future. The programs efficiently take you through a BSN, to an MSN, to a PhD in nursing.