A Ph.D. in Nursing is the Doctorate of Philosophy in Nursing Degree which is the highest level of education that a nurse can achieve. Most often, the Ph.D. in nursing is confused with a DNP or Doctorate of Nursing Practice, which focuses on advanced clinical practice whereas a Ph.D. in Nursing enables a nurse to conduct medical research that will enhance the nursing profession and for teaching nursing in colleges.
Many Ph.D. programs take about 4 to 6 years to finish therefore, most nurses pursue this degree on a part-time or full-time basis. You can even choose to take online PhD education for nurses with a reputed site like OnlinePhD.org which was created to provide prospective students with authoritative online resources who wanted to complete their Ph.D. degree.
This is why the site has compiled a list of top nursing programs to assist you with a doctorate in nursing. The top schools have been evaluated based on their curriculum, faculty, reputation, and student support services. As of now, the list has these top schools for Ph.D. in Nursing:
- Vanderbilt University
- Washington State University
- Indiana University
- University of Central Florida
- University of Arizona
- Clarion University
- Hampton University
- University of Mississippi Medical Center
Education prerequisites
The educational prerequisites for completing your Ph.D. in Nursing vary according to the school you plan to attend. The educational prerequisites needed are:
- Completing a Bachelor of Science in Nursing Degree: Courses would include nursing research, healthcare law, ethics, chemistry, microbiology, and anatomy.
- Passing the NCLEX-RN exam: This is the National Council Licensure Examination as an entry-level nurse.
- Completing the Master of Science in Nursing Degree: Courses will include advanced nursing research, pharmacology, and health assessment. It prepares you for advanced-level nursing jobs.
Types of Ph.D. Nursing Programs
- MSN to Ph.D. Program: This program is for nurses who have already obtained a Master’s degree in nursing.
- RN to Ph.D. Program: This is for RNs who have Bachelor’s in Nursing but no MSN. You may require to take extra courses and examinations for this program to get into some colleges for a Ph.D.
- DNP and Ph.D. Dual Degree Program: This is a rigorous program and provides both Ph.D. nurses also to become experts in faculty practice, research, and expert nurse clinicians.
The Ph.D. Nursing curriculum
Ph.D. programs usually culminate in dissertations and original projects based on particular research. The curriculum for a Ph.D. in Nursing program focuses on research with advanced coursework in:
- Scientific research principles
- Data analysis
- Statistical measurement
What can you do with Ph.D. in nursing?
There are many career opportunities with a Ph.D. in a nursing program like:
- Conducting research for the medical and nursing industry by getting a job as a director of nursing research.
- Teaching nursing students at the collegiate level or as a classroom instructor for an AS, BSN, MSN, or Ph.D. program.
- Work for the government like in the Defense department, correctional facilities, and other government sectors.
- Leading healthcare organizations: You can become a director of clinical services and work as a liaison between the higher-level management and department managers.
Consider a Ph.D. in Nursing as it deepens your knowledge about the nursing field while also helping you in advancing your career with the best job opportunities.
