When people think of nursing, they think of busy hospitals, prompt bedside care, and a frantic schedule. And that’s what it actually looks like for a typical nursing career. However, it does not always pan out that way for everyone. There are certain pathways that are less explored and talked about. A PhD in nursing is one of them.
A PhD in nursing revolves around healthcare, research, leadership, policy, and education. Considered to be the highest academic credential in the profession, a PhD goes beyond clinical care and can be a great pathway for those interested in influencing and changing the system for the better. It is a complete mindset shift from patient-centricity to system focus. It evolves into broader questions like making more humane policies, improving patient outcomes on a population level, bringing efficiency to the system, finding ways to integrate technology, improving nursing education, and maintaining equitable access to care. If you are someone who wishes to contemplate and take action on such matters, a PhD might just be the next step in your career. If you wish to work while you study, online nursing phd programs could be your best foot forward.
What Does a PhD in Nursing Prepare You For?
At its core, a nursing PhD is all about creating “new knowledge”. Unlike DNP (Doctor of Nursing Practice) programs that focus on applying existing evidence to clinical practice, PhD programs train nurses to design and conduct original research. The focus is on rethinking existing norms and finding new ways to do things better. This means diving deep into things like:
- Quantitative and qualitative research
- Health policy review
- Statistical modeling and data interpretation
- New theory development (with adequate evidence)
- Grant writing and academic publishing
The scope of what can be studied is quite wide. It can range from analyzing the impact of implementing new technology like EHR to studying the implications of inequitable access to healthcare. Adequate skills like critical thinking, interdisciplinary collaboration, and academic writing need to be developed. It can be a brave new world for nurses who are used to having a more direct and tangible impact on the ground. But it can be equally impactful in the long run, depending on the area of study.
Career Pathways After Earning a Nursing PhD
1. Academic Faculty or Researcher
Many PhD nurses go on to embark on an academic career, which lands them at a nursing school. They get an opportunity to teach undergraduate students who go on to become competent nurses and join the workforce. Their years of experience and newly acquired academic rigor can often be a great combination to produce skilled educators. At the same time, they could also be involved in a cutting-edge research project that could shape the future of nursing. They usually need to seek grants from institutions like the National Institutes of Health (NIH) or the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation to secure funding and conduct their research.
2. Healthcare or Public Policy Researcher
In such roles, the individual is a part of a think tank, a government agency, or a nonprofit. Everyone works together to contribute to a large-scale project that has a direct impact on public health policy. This usually includes actionable recommendations and policy shifts that are backed by evidence. It could pertain to anything falling under the scope of public policy, like medical aid, vaccination drives, health interventions, and even nurse staffing models at medical workplaces.
3. Executive or Leadership Roles
Some nurses can transition into leadership roles in hospitals after completing their PhD. This is perfect for nurses who want to be closer to a clinical setting and still have an immediate impact on the ground. Their academic background can assist them in making data-backed decisions and driving policy change with better outcomes for all stakeholders.
4. Consultant or Independent Researcher
While a path less trodden, the independent route still appeals to many nurses who crave flexibility and want variety in work challenges. They tend to work as independent consultants for hospitals, insurance companies, and even educational institutions. Their skill mix of clinical experience and systems thinking puts them in a unique position to meet specific challenges faced by such organizations.
A PhD can be a life-changing decision, especially for a nurse. The work dynamic can shift dramatically from a patient-centric role to something broader. Skills like academic writing, statistical analysis, and theory development come to the fore. There are multiple pathways that a person can pursue after completing their PhD. A stint as an independent consultant appeals to those seeking variety and flexibility in work. The more conventional route is a career pivot as an academic or a public health researcher. Finally, for those seeking to stay closer to clinical settings, a move up the ladder in an executive capacity suits them best. While the paths are many, one thing is certain: a PhD opens doors to pastures anew.
