title: Exploring the Pursuit of Doctoral Education by Nurses Seeking or Intending to Stay in Faculty Roles.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to describe the factors influencing the pursuit and completion of doctoral education by nurses intending to seek or retain faculty roles. Traditionally, doctoral education evolved to focus on the preparation of nurses to conduct scientific research, primarily through the doctor of philosophy programs. Most recently, the doctor of nursing practice degree emerged and was designed for advanced practice nurses to be clinical leaders who translate research into practice and policy. Nurses who pursue doctoral education in order to assume or maintain faculty roles must choose between these degrees if they desire a doctorate within the discipline; however, factors influencing their decisions and the intended outcomes of their choice are not clear. During this study, 548 nurses (current students or recent graduates of doctoral programs) completed a comprehensive survey to generate critical evidence about the factors influencing the choices made. Principal findings are related to the issues of time, money, and program selection. These findings can be used to develop strategies to increase enrollment and, therefore, the number of doctorally prepared faculty who are specifically prepared to excel as nursing faculty.
authors.affiliation: Assistant Professor, Indiana University. Indianapolis, IN. Electronic address: ktdreifu@iu.edu.
authors.forename: Kristina Thomas
authors.initials: KT
authors.lastname: Dreifuerst
authors.affiliation: Professor and Associate Dean for Scholarship, Innovation, and Clinical Science, George Washington University, Washington, D.C. 20036.
authors.forename: Angela M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: McNelis
authors.affiliation: Professor and Associate Dean for Research and Scholarship, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL.
authors.forename: Michael T
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Weaver
authors.affiliation: Dean of the School of Nursing; Vice Chancellor for Nursing Affairs, Duke University; and Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs for Nursing, Duke University Health System, Durham, NC.
authors.forename: Marion E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Broome
authors.affiliation: Assistant Professor, Indiana University. Indianapolis, IN.
authors.forename: Claire Burke
authors.initials: CB
authors.lastname: Draucker
authors.affiliation: Assistant Professor, Indiana University. Indianapolis, IN.
authors.forename: Andrea S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Fedko
mesh_terms: D002321:Career Choice; D004511:Education, Nursing, Graduate / Q000379:methods*; D005181:Faculty, Nursing / Q000191:economics / Q000600:supply & distribution*; D006801:Humans; D015399:Nursing Research; D013663:Teaching
keywords: DNP; Doctoral education; Faculty shortage; PhD in nursing