Doctoral Nursing Programs

Most practicing nurses have a bachelor's or master's degree in nursing. Acquiring a doctoral degree in nursing is a relatively new practice in the field.

 

A doctoral degree can offer the training and skills necessary to acquire expert knowledge in the healthcare field. Nurses with doctorates are credentialed as independent practitioners, just as pharmacists and medical doctors are. They are fully accountable for their own practice and coordinate with specialists; they have no specific physician supervision.

 

Clearly, this challenges traditional thinking on physician/nurse relationships, and the healthcare field is still adjusting to accommodate this change. Nurses with doctorates stand out in the clinical field and also have specific knowledge of business practices, making them particularly qualified to lead administrative staff in diverse healthcare environments.

Students may specialize in two main areas within nursing doctorate programs: Direct Healthcare and Health Systems/Clinical Leadership. The latter is more focused on administrative practices and strategic planning in the healthcare field.

 

Currently, there are only a few credentialing nurse doctoral programs in the U.S. However, as the needs of the healthcare field change and evolve, many more programs are expected to develop in the next decade.

 

Below is a survey of the different type of nursing doctorate programs presently available.

A doctorate in nursing is for advanced nurse practitioners who already have some experience in the field. This doctorate requires three to five years of full-time study, including summers. The goal is to prepare leaders who can implement changes needed in the current managed care system. As the population ages and our healthcare system undergoes developments, nurses with an advanced understanding of the field will be in great demand.

This area of study is based on clinical practice leadership development. The goal is to prepare graduates for research, clinical care delivery, patient outcomes and systems management, making the expert nurse a viable participant in the strategic growth of the healthcare industry.

These nurses use their research, clinical and leadership skills to influence the healthcare system. Statistical analysis, healthcare economics and outcome measurement are typical buzzwords in this arena, and a dissertation is often required in this field of study.

The PhD in nursing trains scholars who will contribute to the field of nursing through research and theoretical study. These professionals typically influence public policy administration.

While many academic institutions are still formulating the curricula for nursing doctoral programs, there are a few BSN-MSN-PhD fast track programs that will result in a Doctorate of Philosophy in Nursing.

 

For the advanced practice nurse and doctoral degree graduate, a new range of career options is just opening in the field.

 

Do you have a program in mind?

Research different schools that offer any of the below programs with the links below.