Online Ph.D. in nursing education programs prepare graduates to work at the highest levels of the field conducting research, managing healthcare organizations, and educating the next generation of nurses. A doctorate serves as the highest level of education possible for nurses, and the degree commonly leads to positions with excellent job growth projections and high salary potential.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects careers for nurse anesthetists, midwives, and nurse practitioners to grow by an astonishing 45% from 2019-2029, or around 10 times the national average growth rate for all occupations.
A doctoral program can last anywhere from 3-6 years, and most programs require applicants to hold master's degrees in nursing or closely related subjects. This page offers an overview of online nursing Ph.D. programs, including typical courses, certifications, and career paths after graduation. It also covers doctoral scholarships and answers some of the most common questions about doctorate in nursing programs.
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Most Affordable Online Doctorates in Nursing Education 2021
What Are the Goals of Nursing?
Nurses work first and foremost to provide care to patients, promoting and maintaining health for individuals, families, and communities. Doctorate in nursing programs focus on the highest levels of nursing, training students to serve as leaders, managers, educators, and researchers. Doctoral programs often adopt a more conceptual approach to the field, training candidates to conduct the research that leads to new practices and protocols in nursing, rather than performing these practices themselves.
A Ph.D. serves nurses looking to move beyond standard nursing practice and into academic, research, or management positions. However, many programs like the Doctorate of Nursing Practice (DNP) also focus on advanced nursing practice and patient care.
What Are the Benefits of a Degree in Nursing?
An online Ph.D. in nursing program offers an assortment of academic and professional benefits for students, and nurses choose to pursue this advanced degree for many reasons.
Increased Job Opportunities A doctorate prepares nurses for a wide assortment of advanced careers, most commonly in higher education, research, management, and nursing practice.
Increased Salary Potential
Advanced careers typically come with higher salaries, and a Ph.D. can help nursing candidates distinguish themselves when competing for these high-paying positions.
Research Opportunities For nurses interested in developing new methodologies and approaches to patient care and nursing education, a doctoral program provides extensive opportunities to conduct research.
Additional Certification
A doctorate can also prepare nurses for advanced certifications in the field, which usually lead to more job opportunities and higher salaries.
Networking Opportunities Enrolling in Ph.D. programs connects nurses with other experienced professionals in the field, which can create valuable professional networking opportunities.
Admissions requirements
Before applying to an online doctorate in nursing program, make sure you meet the admission requirements, which include a master's in nursing from an accredited program and current and valid registered nurse (RN) license. Most programs require a minimum GPA of 3.0 for master's level coursework.
A resume and academic or professional recommendation are also key qualifiers for most programs, as well as academic writing samples demonstrating knowledge of course material. If selected for the online Ph.D. nursing program, be prepared for an in-person or phone interview as well.
How to Become a Nurse Anesthetist
Nurse anesthetist ranks among the most popular career paths in nursing due to its high salary and strong growth projections. Anesthetist positions require at least a master's degree, though some candidates may choose to pursue a Ph.D. Anesthetist master's programs require applicants to hold registered nurse licensure, and most programs only admit candidates with at least one year of professional critical care experience.
State requirements vary, but anesthetists must earn certification through the National Board of Certification and Recertification for Nurse Anesthetists and complete the national certification examination to become a certified registered nurse anesthetist.
Career and Salary Outlook for Nursing Majors
Graduates of online Ph.D. in nursing programs can pursue a variety of high-level positions in the field, such as education, research, or management. In general, these careers feature high salary levels and strong advancement potential. The BLS projects certain career paths, such as nurse anesthetist and medical and health services manager, to grow at significantly faster-than-average rates, ensuring generally strong career prospects for nursing graduates in these positions.
| Career | Median Annual Salary | Projected Growth Rate (2019-2029) |
|---|---|---|
| Nurse Anesthetists, Nurse Midwives, and Nurse Practitioner | $117,670 | 45% |
| Postsecondary Teacher | $80,790 | 9% |
| Registered Nurse | $75,330 | 7% |
| Medical and Health Services Manager | $104,280 | 32% |
Source: BLS
Nurse Anesthetists, Nurse Midwives, and Nurse Practitioner Known as advanced practice registered nurses, these highly trained nurses may provide both speciality and primary care. Anesthetists provide anesthesia for surgical procedures, while midwives provide prenatal care and deliver babies. Nurse practitioners coordinate and provide care to patients, often focusing on a specific population, such as geriatric or pediatric.
Postsecondary Teacher Teaching at colleges and universities, postsecondary teachers train new nurses, instructing students at the undergraduate and graduate level. Nurse educators must design and plan courses, lead classes, and assess student work. As experts in the field, they must also stay informed about the latest developments in nursing.
Registered Nurse Registered nurses provide a wide assortment of patient care, assessing patients' conditions, administering treatments, devising care plans, and coordinating care with doctors and other healthcare professionals. Nurses may work in a variety of healthcare settings, such as hospitals, outpatient clinics, schools, doctor's offices, and nursing homes.
Medical and Health Services Manager Taking an administrative role in the healthcare field, medical and health services managers plan and direct operations in environments such as hospitals and group medical practices. Graduates of nursing Ph.D. programs may supervise and coordinate the activities of other nurses, improving the efficiency of healthcare services and training staff members.
Accreditation for a Doctorate in Nursing
When researching online Ph.D. in nursing programs, you should always make sure prospective schools hold proper accreditation from recognized regional accrediting agencies. Accreditation helps colleges and universities regulate themselves, ensuring that each institution and its academic programs adhere to nationally recognized educational standards.
Colleges may hold national or regional accreditation. While national accreditation typically serves trade and vocational schools, regional accreditation applies to traditional academic colleges, which offer most nursing programs. Only regionally accredited colleges feature nursing programs at the doctoral level. You can determine whether a school holds accreditation from one of the six regional accrediting agencies designated by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.
Reputable nursing programs should also hold programmatic accreditation from either the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing or the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education. Accreditation from either of these agencies indicates that a program offers reputable nursing education and adequate professional preparation.
Courses in a Nursing Doctorate Program
Doctorate in nursing programs cover an assortment of high-level course topics, but they commonly focus on research, education, leadership, and management. Some programs hone in on education, while others emphasize advanced nursing practice. Nearly all programs also include a dissertation component and require you to perform significant original research into an area of nursing or nursing education.
This list highlights five courses commonly found in online Ph.D. in nursing programs. While exact course content may vary among programs, these courses represent key topics likely to figure into most advanced nursing programs.
Certifications and Licensure for Nursing Majors
Like many healthcare professions, nurses depend on licensure and certifications to demonstrate professional competency and obtain higher levels of employment. The registered nurse license is a prerequisite for almost any position in the field, but nurses can also pursue more advanced credentials, three of which are highlighted below.
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How Can a Ph.D. Student Pay for College?
Nursing students can obtain a variety of funding sources to finance their education, including scholarships. Though not as common as those for nurses in undergraduate or master's programs, doctoral scholarships do exist, often in the form of grants funding student research. The list below outlines five scholarships for nursing Ph.D. candidates.
American Holistic Nurses Association Research GrantsWho Can Apply: Members of the AHNA with research that focuses on holistic nursing. Doctoral applicants must submit a cover letter, research proposal, budget, and a letter from their dissertation committee chair approving the research application. Recipients must also submit an annual progress report detailing their research.Amount: $5,000
Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology Graduate Student AwardWho Can Apply: Any graduate or doctoral nursing student conducting research into infection prevention. Award recipients must present their findings at the APIC's annual conference and may also prepare their research for submission to the American Journal of Infection.Amount: $5,000
March of Dimes Graduate Nursing ScholarshipsWho Can Apply: Nursing master's or Ph.D. candidates with a focus on maternal-child nursing. Applicants must be a member of at least one professional organization, including the American College of Nurse-Midwives; the Association of Women's Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses; or the National Association of Neonatal Nurses.Amount: $5,000
CVS Together We Care Nurse Practitioner Scholarship ProgramWho Can Apply: Candidates enrolled in an accredited master's or doctor of nursing practice program that leads to initial certification as an advanced practice registered nurse with family nurse practitioner certification. Applicants must hold a minimum 3.2 GPA and demonstrate community involvement and leadership.Amount: $2,500
Nursing Economics Foundation ScholarshipWho Can Apply: Candidates in a master's or doctoral nursing program with a focus on management or administration. Applicants must plan to pursue a nursing career with an emphasis on administration, education, leadership, or management.Amount: $5,000
