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DOCTORAL NURSING PROGRAMS: Advancing Nursing Perspective

Posted: 05 Aug 2011 09:54 PM PD

Nursing as a science has its goal of developing a body of knowledge to be used as basis for nursingpractice in a variety of settings. Nursing knowledge, however, is not isolated or exclusive, but rather encompasses the selection, integration, and expansion of knowledge from nursing and other disciplinesand the application of this knowledge to the understanding of health and illness and to the analysis and

improvement of nursing practice. This pre mise coveysthe necessity of advancing nursing knowledge and practice through higher level of education andexperience, from Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) to Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), andeventually a doctoral degree in nursing.

While there are different program and title offerings, it is a fact that doctoral study in nursing is built uponand expands the doctoral student’s knowledge acquired in baccalaureate and master’s degree programs

in nursing. Doctoral nursing programs are based on nursing’s distinct body of knowledge, which can andmust be verified using methods of scholarly inquiry — research. This prepares intellectual leaders withanalytical skills to contribute to the development of nursing science. Students bring to doctoral studyunique combinations of experiences, knowledge and capabilities that help facilitate an emphasizes on theinterchange among clinical practice, research, and teaching based on the belief that research informspractice, practice informs research and both inform teaching. To pursue this, one may choose from thefollowing doctoral nursing programs:

DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY IN NURSING (PhD)

The term philosophy in Greek literally means “ love of wisdom ”. From this, it can be gleaned that a nursewith this degree has a love for wisdom in nursing and focuses on fundamental and general aspects. ThePhD in Nursing program prepares nurse scholars in the development and conduct of scientific research or inquiry that advances the theoretical foundation of nursing practice and shaping the healthcare delivery.Key competencies or outcomes after completion of the program include knowledge and skills intheoretical, methodological, and analytic approaches to the discovery and application of knowledge innursing and healthcare. The program is designed to prepare nurses for careers as research scientists,often in academic or governmental positions.

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DOCTOR OF NURSING PRACTICE (DNP)

Preparation of nurse leaders’ capacities for evidence-based patient care and executive roles is the mainthrust of the DNP program. As a clinical practice-oriented development program, it has emerged in recenttimes as the preferred advanced degree for nurse executives and is the highest degree a nurse can beconferred without getting PhD. It gears toward the development of competence in translating researchinto practice, evaluating evidence, applying research in decision-making, and implementing viable clinicaland organizational innovations to change practice. After completion of the program, DNP graduates shallhave gained knowledge and skills in applying and translating research into practice; and leadsdissemination and integration of new knowledge in healthcare organizations. These sets forth thehallmark of DNP from other doctoral nursing programs. The program is also designed to hone nurses atthe highest level of nursing practice to become experts in managing the complexity between quality of care, accessibility, and fiscal responsibilities.

DOCTOR OF NURSING SCIENCE (DNSc)

Comparable with PhD in Nursing and DNP, the degree Doctor of Nursing Science is also a professional

degree. Nurses who display ability to make an original contribution of scholarship in nursing areconferred with this degree with focus on health outcomes measurement, health care economics,statistical analysis and informatics among others. The DNSc program is geared to the preparation of thenext generation of scholars, nurse educators, and clinical scientists with investigative skills of aresearcher, and clinical and leadership skills necessary to influence and shape the health care system.Research skills places strong emphasis on the science of clinical nursing practice and its relationship tohealth systems research and policy initiative and development. With this focus, it provides graduates witha sound foundation to participate in future scholarships and education that are clinically significant toimprove the health care of clients at all levels. DNSc graduates accomplish this end through theevaluation forces that influence health, synthesis of knowledge of health needs and problems of selectpatient/client groups, examination of knowledge and application of findings to nursing practice, education,and policy. Despite this, critics and a number of references cite DNSc as similar to that of DNP in terms

of focus.

Doctor of nursing programs are offered on a residency (face-to-face) or online (distance learning) basis.The duration of the program on the average is 3 to 5 years on full-time study and is highly dependent onthe focus area of the program developed by the school of nursing. In order to qualify for admission for doctor of nursing programs, the following basic requirements must be met, although this may vary byschool:

• Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) and Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree• Current license to practice• Significant clinical experience• Managerial or leadership position/ role• Research interest

The main purpose of all doctoral programs is to educate qualified nurses to create dynamic contributionsto the discipline of nursing through research and other scholarly activities. It is also important tounderstand that the ongoing advancement of nursing science is crucial to the delivery of safe, high-quality, holistic, and cost-effective health care.