title: Getting that piece of paper: mental health nurses' experience of undertaking doctoral studies in Victoria, Australia.
abstract: The aim of this study was to explore the experience of mental health nurses undertaking doctoral studies. The study was conducted in Victoria, Australia. A descriptive-exploratory approach to inquiry was used for this study. Participants were mental health nurses who had successfully completed a doctoral qualification. Eligibility for inclusion required participants to be residing in Victoria (irrespective of where their doctoral studies were undertaken) and to have conducted their research within the domain of mental health and/or currently employed in the field of mental health nursing. Of the 20 potential participants invited, 16 accepted the invitation. Five emergent themes were explicated from narrative analyses. These themes were "being a trail blazer," "positioning for professional advancement," "achieving a balance between competing priorities," "maintaining a commitment to the development of the profession," and "a point of affirmation." An understanding of the experience of undertaking doctoral studies can be used to influence the development of strategies to encourage more mental health nurses to consider undertaking a doctoral degree.
authors.affiliation: Institute for Health and Social Science Research, CQUniversity Australia, Rockhampton, Queensland 4702, Australia. welcha@qut.edu.au
authors.forename: Tony
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Welch
authors.forename: Brenda
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Happell
authors.forename: Karen-Leigh
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Edward
mesh_terms: D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002321:Career Choice; D002322:Career Mobility; D003431:Cross-Cultural Comparison; D003479:Curriculum; D004511:Education, Nursing, Graduate; D005181:Faculty, Nursing; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D024802:Nurse's Role / Q000523:psychology; D015399:Nursing Research / Q000193:education; D011568:Psychiatric Nursing / Q000193:education*; D012570:School Admission Criteria; D014739:Victoria