Respond to at least two of your colleagues in one or more of the following ways:
- Share an insight from having read your colleagues’ postings, synthesizing the information to provide new perspectives.
- Validate an idea with your own experience and additional research.
- Make a suggestion based on additional evidence drawn from readings or after synthesizing multiple postings.
- Expand on your colleagues’ postings by providing additional insights or contrasting perspectives based on readings and evidence.
POST 1
According to Cleary and Hunt, (2011), recent studies have shown the majority of nursing doctoral candidates are female, clinically experienced, and in their 40s or 50s at the time of starting their PhD. Based on that criteria, this writer fits exactly into that criteria. It is noted that other disciplines tend to start doctoral training much earlier (Cleary & Hunt, 2011). As a practicing nurse of 30 years, most of it as an Associate Degree nurse the recognition of the PhD nurse was seen as a profession in a nursing league of their own. According to Michael and Clochesy, (2016), the PhD in nursing was predominant throughout the 20th century with members of the academic nursing community recognizing the need for the development of knowledge to inform practice and to promote the credibility of the profession. Nursing theorists such as Jean Watson and Patricia Benner were game changers in the industry of theoretical nursing. The ability in achieving higher levels of education and in conducting research are hallmarks of professionalism (Houser, 2018).
This writer has a passion for teaching students and wants to be the best instructor she can be. She chose to go down the path of the PhD in Nursing education to increase skills and knowledge to improve what is delivered to students every day. The PhD is being pursued to separate myself from the growing amount of DNP faculty that she works with daily. Being an alumni with Walden University for the MSN, it was an easy choice to pick Walden University for the terminal degree. Michael and Clochesy, (2016), states the PhD and DNP represent complementary and alternative approaches to the highest level of educational preparation in nursing. PhD programs prepare nurse scientists to conduct original research and to generate knowledge that may be broadly applicable or generalizable using advanced research designs and statistical evaluative methods. Conversely, DNP programs prepare students for advanced specialty practice at a high level of complexity with a concurrent focus on the development of knowledge and skills required for translation of evidence to improve health outcomes and health care delivery (Michael & Clochesy, 2016).
Michael and Clochesy, (2016), also states two of the main reasons for not completing a doctoral program are financial and family stresses. Strategic plans must include financial considerations (e.g., research costs), support systems and a systemic approach to the dissertation to balance the demands successfully and complete a doctoral degree. Support from family and significant others, faculty, or fellow students is likely to result in greater positive feelings and outcomes (Michael & Clochesy, 2016). This student was fortunate enough to be able to personally finance the PhD program without creating student loans or an overwhelming financial burden on the family. She has a strong support network of family members including her husband and daughter. This writer plans to elevate her workplace position from a team leader of a fundamentals course to an associate degree program coordinator, associate degree of nursing director or dean of health sciences with the completion of her PhD in Nursing Education.
References
Cleary, M., & Hunt, G. E. (2011). Demystifying PhDs: A review of doctorate programs designed to fulfil the needs of the next generation of nursing professionals. Contemporary Nurse: A Journal for the Australian Nursing Profession, 39(2), 273-80. Retrieved from https://ezp.waldenulibrary.org/login?qurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.proquest.com%2Fdocview%2F1022984001%3Faccountid%3D14872
Houser, J. (2018). Nursing research; Reading, using, and creating evidence (4th ed.). Jones & Bartlett Learning
Michael, M. J., & Clochesy, J. M. (2016). From scientific discovery to health outcomes: A synergistic model of doctoral nursing education. Nurse Education Today, 40, 84–86. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nedt.2016.02.011
POST 2
What does it Mean to be a Nurse with a Practice or Research Doctorate
Over the past decade, the doctoral prepared nurse role continues to evolve as healthcare organizations continue to seek qualified nurses who are geared and prepared in providing evidence-based patient-centered care. The doctorate role in nursing practice is emerging in numerous practices setting, especially hospitals, outpatient settings, and academic institutions, using guidelines to evaluate and enact new standards of care in education and practice to enhance best patient outcomes (Beeber et al., 2019).
What are the Expectations Associated with this Degree
Being a Doctor of Nurse Practice (DNP) means individuals are prepared to apply research in promoting evidence-based practice while advocating for patients. The DNP-prepared nurse provides leadership with the highest clinical expertise, which evaluates provider practices, clinical education design, and implementation translating research into practice (Greco, 2019). The Ph.D. nurse and DNP nurse work together in collaboration with the Ph.D. nurse focusing on research methodologies and ways to implement research (Hartjes et al., 2019). In other words, the Ph.D. nurse is a nurse scientist. The Ph.D. nurse research methodologies, develop theory, generalizes and replicate findings from an analysis of results to enhance quality improvement projects, and implement regulatory compliance (Hartjes et al., 2019).
How Might this be Different for a Nurse who Holds a Different Degree
The nurse who are considering a doctoral degree may choose from various education-focused degrees, such as the Doctor of Education (EdD), or a research-focused degree, such as a Ph.D. Others chose the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP). The doctoral options increase the skillset and knowledge with the ability to create policy reforms applying research into evidence-based practice. Historically, the Ph.D. degree is research-intensive and prepares the nurse for a career in academia or conducting independent research (Malloch, 2017).
How Considerations Relate to my Motivation to Pursue a Doctoral Degree now
The decision that influence my career choice in obtaining a DNP is my fellow peers. I have several colleagues who are doctorate-prepared nurses. During my clinical rotation during my MSN program, I was enormously impressed by these DNP prepared nurses. These DNP nurses were able to translate current practice guidelines and evidence-based practice into the way they care for patients, which, in my opinion, were beneficial for optimal patient care. I knew I wanted to also implement quality improvement methodologies in my practice, along with translating research into practice. The DNP degree will prepare me to become a clinical expert and a leader in health care with innovation, which will help to influence policy and practice changes at the highest organizational level (Udlis, & Mancuso, 2015).
References
Beeber, A. S., Palmer, C., Waldrop, J., Lynn, M. R., & Jones, C. B. (2019). The role of Doctor of Nursing Practice-prepared nurses in practice settings. Nursing Outlook, 67, 354-364. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.outlook.2019.02.006
Greco, M. (2019). The lived experience of Doctor of Nursing practice in pursuit of a Doctor of Philosophy degree in nursing. International Journal of Nursing Education, 11(4), 195-199. https://doi.org/10.5958/0974-9357.2019.00118.1
Hartjes, T. M., Lester, D. D, Arasi-Ruddock, L. D, McFadden, B. S.., Munro, S. P, Cowan, L. P, & Goolsby, M. J. (2019). Answering the question: Is the Doctor of Philosophy or Doctor of Nursing Practice right for me? Journal of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners, 31, 439-442. https://doi.org/10.1097/JXX.000000 0000000273
Malloch, K. (2017). Leading DNP professionals. Nursing Administration Quarterly, 41(1), 29-38. https://doi.org/10.1097/NAQ.0000000000000200
Udlis, K. A., & Mancuso, J. M. (2015). Perceptions of the role of the Doctor of Nursing Practice-prepared nurse: Clarity or confusion. Journal of Professional Nursing, 31, 274-283. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.profnurs.2015.01.004
EXAMPLE OF HOW REPLY FOR POST 1 AND POST 2 LOOKS LIKE.
The doctoral education is on a slow but gradual rise between the doctor of philosophy and doctor of nursing practice (Hartjes et al., 2019). The Ph.D. programs prepare nurse scientists intending to generate new knowledge to advance nursing science. The DNP programs prepare nurses to lead interprofessional teams to improve health care quality and systems (Ketefian & Redman, 2015). It is very interesting that most nurses and clinicians seek advancement with a doctoral degree into their 40s and 50s. Can you imagine what the research and practice ladder would be like if there were more doctoral prepared nurses before age 40. Educating the future is essential. You are quite fortunate to be able to go back to school where finances or not an issue. Having family support is critical in one’s success as the demands of the programs can be overwhelming. On a positive note, being a doctorally prepared nurse will provide new and compelling future opportunities.
References
Hartjes, T. M., Lester, D. D, Arasi-Ruddock, L. D, McFadden, B. S.., Munro, S. P, Cowan, L. P, & Goolsby, M. J. (2019). Answering the question: Is the Doctor of Philosophy or Doctor of Nursing Practice right for me? Journal of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners, 31, 439-442. https://doi.org/10.1097/JXX.000000 0000000273
Ketefian, S., & Redman, R. W. (2015). A critical examination of developments in nursing doctoral education in the United States. Revista Latino-Americana de Enfermagem (RLAE), 23, 363-371. https://doi.org/10.1590/0104-1169.0797.2566
