Preparing for Doctoral Study in Nursing

Making the Most of the Year Before You Begin

1st Edition - July 26, 2023
Editors: Laura A. Taylor, Mary F. Terhaar
Language: English
Paperback ISBN:
9 7 8 - 0 - 3 2 3 - 8 7 5 8 9 - 9
eBook ISBN:
9 7 8 - 0 - 3 2 3 - 8 7 5 9 7 - 4

Are you ready to take your nursing career to the next level? Preparing for Doctoral Study in Nursing: Making the Most of the Year Before You Begin helps you make an informed… Read more

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Are you ready to take your nursing career to the next level? Preparing for Doctoral Study in Nursing: Making the Most of the Year Before You Begin helps you make an informed decision about entering doctoral studies and choosing the nursing credential that helps you reach your career goals. Noted educators and doctoral mentors Laura A. Taylor and Mary F. Terhaar — along with a team of nursing leaders and scholars — describe the big picture for nurses educated at the highest level of scholarship, including the rising demand for advanced practice nurses and the future of nursing. The first and only comprehensive guide to preparing for a doctorate in nursing, this book helps you choose your path, make your decision, and develop a plan for success in doctoral study.

Cover image
Title page
Table of Contents
Copyright
Dedication
Contributors
Foreword
Preface
List of Illustrations
List of Tables
SECTION 1. The Big Picture of Nurses Educated at the Highest Level
1. The demand for the doctorally prepared nurse
The challenge before us
Turning to our professional associations for leadership and direction
Taking the doctoral challenge: Your turn!
Questions remain
Summary
Bibliography
2. The story of the doctorally prepared nurse
Introduction
Nursing leadership in theory development
Nursing leadership in research
Nursing leadership in education
Nursing leadership in Genomics
Nursing leadership in quality, safety, and public health
Nursing leaders in public policy
Nursing leadership in military and public health
Nursing leadership in global health
Summary
Bibliography
3. Building nursing for the future
Nursing’s social contract as a foundation for its future
Key social trends that have significance for nursing
Opportunities open to nurses
Population health
Genomics
Nontraditional roles for nurses and the opportunities they present
Summary and conclusions
Bibliography
4. Reflection on challenges: The nursing workforce shortage
Data-based picture of the nursing shortage
Conditions that perpetuate the shortage
Achieving diversity, inclusion, and belonging in nursing
Strategies being implemented to address the shortage
Your earning a doctorate will be helpful as our discipline responds to the nursing shortage
Bibliography
SECTION 2. Choosing Your Path, Making Your Decision, and Developing Your Plan
5. Clarifying your options
Introduction
Overview of terminal degrees in nursing
Dual doctorate: DNP and PhD
Non-nursing doctorates
Other factors to consider
Summary
Bibliography
6. Clarifying your aspirations
Your personal and professional goals
Expectations of a doctoral student
To doctor of philosophy or doctor of nursing practice? That is the question
The nursing doctor of philosophy degree
The doctor of nursing practice degree
Selecting a quality program
Summary
Bibliography
7. Common impediments to success
Exploring yesterday’s and today’s most common barriers
Disorganization
Fear of failure
Imposter syndrome
Self-confidence
Fear of standardized testing
Family responsibilities
Access to funding
Time
Summary
Bibliography
8. Mentoring for the next generation of nurse scholars
The mentor: What it is and why do we need it?
Mentoring across the profession of nursing
Securing a mentor
Diversity, equity, inclusion-based mentoring
Navigating the application process
Mentor-mentee relationship
Summary
References
9. Understanding and managing expenses: Financing your education
The cost of higher education
The cost of the degree you seek
Expense associated with the programs you are considering
Your conversation with the financial aid team
Considering the expense of different programs
Financial aid definitions
Necessary steps you can take to position yourself to be eligible for funding
Other options for funding
Still more ways to subsidize your education
Building a budget for your doctoral pursuits
Summary
Bibliography
10. Presenting a strong and authentic application
Application as narrative
Building a professional resumé and curriculum vitae
The interview(s)
References
Summary
Bibliography
11. Using timely wisely and well
Considering the doctoral education decision demands thought and perseverance
Becoming a master of your time
Strategies to addressing motivation and best time tracking
Distractions—staying focused
Summary
Bibliography
12. Becoming a writer
Introduction
The nuts and bolts of writing
Improving your writing
Summary
Bibliography
13. Determining good fit
Good fit
Program concentration
Degree completion requirements
Measures of program performance
Program ranking and reputation
Tuition and debt load
Teaching assistant opportunities
Research assistant opportunities
Interprofessional opportunities
Opportunities to publish with faculty
Instruction model
Time on campus
Full-time and part-time study options
Postdoctoral opportunities
Technology preparation
Library or information support
Graduate experiences/current student feedback
Community life and community of scholars
Summary
Bibliography
14. Staying motivated, confident, and well focused as a doctoral student
Making the dream a reality will be challenging
Support for success
Student support groups and organizations
Friends and family
Staying motivated
Grit
Maintaining confidence
Goal setting: Mental contrasting and W-O-O-P it up
Opportunity management
Saying no can get you to yes
Conclusion
Bibliography
SECTION 3. Shared Experiences of Doctorally Prepared Nurses on the Edge of Tomorrow
15. The nurse scientist narrative
Entry to practice
Decision to pursue higher education
Mentors
Navigating barriers
Future goals
Words of wisdom
16. The primary care DNP narrative
Your initial motivation to become a nurse
Your entry to practice
The educational path I chose and the reasoning behind that decision
My mentors
Milestones on my path
Challenges I faced and strategies I used to navigate them
Your future goals
The greatest source of satisfaction in my work
Words of wisdom to nurses considering earning a doctorate
17. The entrepreneur narrative
Entry to practice
Your decision to pursue higher education
Mentors
Barriers faced and strategies used to navigate them
Milestones
My current focus
Your future goals
The greatest source of satisfaction you find in your work
Any words of wisdom to nurses considering earning a doctorate
18. The postdoc narrative
Becoming a nurse
Know your “why?”
I just got accepted! Now what?
Now, I am a nurse scientist!
Acquiring professional skills and advance research skills
Words of wisdom
Bibliography
19. The academic narratives
Latina M. Brooks, PhD, CNP, FAANP
Initial motivation to become a nurse
Entry to practice
Decision to pursue higher education
Mentors
Milestones on my path
Barriers I faced and the strategies I used to navigate them
My current focus
My future goals
The greatest source of satisfaction in my work
Words of wisdom for nurses considering earning a doctorate
Amy Bieda, APRN, PCPNP-BC, NNP-BC
Your initial motivation to become a nurse
Entry to practice
Decision to pursue higher education
20. The nurse informatician narratives
Katherine Dudding, PhD, RN, RN-NIC, CNE
Motivation to become a nurse
Entry to practice
Decision to pursue higher education
Educational path and the reasoning behind that decision
Mentors
Milestones on my path
Barriers and strategies to earning my doctorate degree
Current research focus
Future goals
Greatest source of satisfaction in my work
Words of wisdom to nurses considering a doctorate degree
Kathleen McGrow, DNP, MS, RN, PMP
My initial motivation to become a nurse
Entry to practice
Decision to pursue higher education
Mentors
Milestones
Barriers
Current focus
My goals
Greatest satisfaction
Words of wisdom
21. The population health nurse narratives
Laura Sinko, Phd, MSHP, RN, CCTS-I
Entry to practice
Decision to pursue higher education
Mentors
Navigating barriers
Future goals
Words of wisdom
Nancy Rudner, DrPH, MPH, MSN, APRN
Motivation
Entry into practice
Decision to pursue higher education
Going for the doctorate
Milestones in my population health path
Satisfaction
Enablers, barriers, and obstacles
Considerations regarding earning a doctorate
22. The policy expert narrative
Entry into practice
The decision to pursue higher education
Mentors
Milestones
Overcoming obstacles
My current work
Greatest source of satisfaction
Bibliography
23. The nurse on the board narrative
Entry to practice
Pursuit of higher education
Mentors
Milestones
Current focus
Future goals
Words of wisdom
24. The leader narrative
Initial motivation to becoming a nurse
Decision to pursue higher education
My greatest source of satisfaction
My current focus
Words of wisdom
25. The advocate narrative
Initial motivation to become a nurse
Entry to practice
Decision to pursue higher education
Educational path and the reasoning behind that decision
Mentors
Milestones
Barriers and strategies to navigate them
Current focus
Future goals
Greatest source of satisfaction in your work
Words of wisdom to nurses considering earning a doctorate
Bibliography
26. The military nurse narratives
David Bradley, DNP, APRN, AGCNS-BC, CNOR
Lessons learned #1: Have a goal—a goal without a plan is just a dream
Lessons learned #2: Get someone to keep you accountable, so the work gets done in a timely manner
Lessons learned #3: Surround yourself with others who are encouraging
Lessons learned #4: Mentors keep you going when you want to quit and show you how to overcome mountains when, in reality, they are molehills
Lessons learned #5: You will make time for what is a priority
My personal plan to promote success
How to make a smooth switch
Jose A. Rodriguez, DNP, JM, RN, APRN, CCNS, CNOR
Lessons learned #7: Pick a project that is relevant and feasible to do in a short timeframe
Early career in the service
Navigating barriers
Milestones
Entry to nursing practice
Milestones
Decision to pursue graduate education
Current focus
Future goals
Words of wisdom
27. The systems executive narrative
Entry to practice
Mentors
Milestones
Decision to pursue higher education
Navigating barriers
Current focus
Future goals
28. The telehealth nurse narrative
Entry to practice
Decision to pursue higher education and advanced practice
Mentors
Milestones
Navigating barriers
Current focus
Future goals
Words of wisdom
29. The researcher nurse narratives
Ronald Lee Hickman, PhD, RN, ACNP-BC, FNAP, FAAN
Your entry into practice
Motivation to become a nurse
Entry to practice
Educational path
The value of mentors
Career path milestones
Barriers encountered and strategies to overcome them
Current focus and future goals
Conclusion
Tiffany Monique Montgomery, PhD, MSHP, RNC-OB
Your entry to practice
Your decision to pursue higher education
The educational path you chose and the reasoning behind that decision
Who were your mentors
What were the milestones on your path
What barriers do you face and what strategies you use to navigate them
Your current focus
Your future goals
The most significant source of satisfaction you find in your work
Any words of wisdom to nurses considering earning a doctorate
30. The health disparities nurse narrative
Your initial motivation to become a nurse
Your entry to practice
Your decision to pursue higher education
The educational path you chose and the reasoning behind that decision
Who were your mentors?
What were the milestones on your path?
What barriers do you face and what strategies do you use to navigate them
Your future goals
The greatest source of satisfaction you find in your work
Any words of wisdom to nurses considering earning a doctorate
31. The practice nurse narratives
Vanesa Velez, DNP, RN
Your initial motivation to become a nurse
Your entry to practice
Your decision to pursue higher education
The educational path you chose and the reasoning behind that decision
Who were your mentors
What were the milestones on your path
What barriers you faced and what strategies you used to navigate them
Your current focus
Your future goals
The greatest source of satisfaction you find in your work
Any words of wisdom to nurses considering earning a doctorate
Nicole Angelique Gonzaga Gomez, DNP, CRNA, APRN, CHSE
My initial motivation to become a nurse
Entry to practice
My decision to pursue higher education
My mentors
Milestones
Barriers I faced and the strategies I used to navigate them
My current focus
My future goals
My greatest source of satisfaction
Sunghee Kim, DNP, ANP-BC, NP-C
Words of wisdom
My initial motivation to become a nurse
Milestones
Educational path
My mentors
Barriers I faced and the strategies I used to navigate them
My current focus
Your future goals
My greatest source of satisfaction
Words of wisdom to nurses considering earning a doctorate
Reference
32. The psychiatric mental health clinician narrative
Motivation to become a nurse
Your entry to practice
Decision to pursue higher education
Milestones
Barriers I faced and strategies I used to navigate them
My current focus
My future goals
Greatest source of satisfaction in my work
Words of wisdom to nurses considering earning a doctorate
SECTION 4. A Toolkit for Preparation for Doctoral Study
33. Tools for the journey
Your journal
Evaluating readiness
Setting and achieving goals
Saying “no, thank you”
Maintaining balance and enjoying your journey
Work, Play, Love, Health dashboard
Odyssey planning worksheet
Key contacts directory
Program selection decision matrix
Four-quadrant time management grid
Graduate record exams preparations
Financial planning
Budgeting
Purdue online writing lab
Grammarly
Writing confidence and skill
Strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats: SWOT
Wishes, outcomes, obstacles, plan: WOOP
Interviewing
Index
Inside back cover