Online Doctoral Degree Programs in Nursing
Online doctoral degrees in nursing offer a direct route to clinical research or faculty positions. The Doctor of Nursing Practice can lead to advanced practice in nursing specializations, while the Ph.D. in nursing is designed to suit academic ambitions. The qualifications for advanced nursing practice are being revised to require a doctorate rather than a master's degree, according to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing.
Choosing nursing degrees online
Nurses with a BSN or MSN degree are eligible for advanced doctoral study. Online doctoral degrees in nursing may be completed in three to five years of full-time study, depending on the program.
The Doctor of Nursing Practice includes courses in the chosen specialty area as well as a clinical practicum. This degree qualifies registered nurses for advanced practice roles such as:
- Certified nurse midwife
- Certified registered nurse anesthetist
- Clinical nurse specialist
- Nurse practitioner
The Ph.D. in nursing is an academic program focused on preparing nurses for faculty positions and scientific research. Courses cover research methodology, quantitative methods, grant writing, epidemiology, health policy and specialty topics. Doctoral students pursue research and teaching under faculty mentorship, and the program culminates in a dissertation based on original scholarship.
Nursing career opportunity ahead
In 2010 the AACN president praised the expanded access in California to doctoral degrees in nursing, as a way to prepare more professionals for in-demand nursing faculty and clinical positions. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts excellent prospects for all advanced practice specialties between 2008 and 2018. Nursing degrees online can help you transition into an advanced practice or academic nursing career.
