title: Three key components to successfully completing a nursing doctoral program.
abstract: Using their personal experience, the authors identify three key components to successfully completing a nursing doctoral program. The first component is asking the right questions to determine the doctoral degree best suited for the potential student. The second component is having a strategic plan that includes aspects such as financial considerations (research costs and potential financial support) and the development of a strong support system (specifically study pairs). The third component is the development of a systematic approach to completing the research, writing the dissertation, and completing the oral requirements. Addressing these areas will help students balance the many demands of doctoral study.
authors.affiliation: Hunter-Bellevue School of Nursing, New York, New York, USA.
authors.forename: Donald G
authors.initials: DG
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Delmore
mesh_terms: D004212:Academic Dissertations as Topic; D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002321:Career Choice; D004511:Education, Nursing, Graduate / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D009042:Motivation; D015399:Nursing Research / Q000193:education / Q000458:organization & administration; D009937:Organizational Objectives; D010934:Planning Techniques; D012107:Research Design; D012647:Self-Assessment; D012944:Social Support; D013338:Students, Nursing / Q000523:psychology*; D014146:Training Support / Q000458:organization & administration*; D014956:Writing