If students have already obtained a BSN or MSN degree, and are still interested in furthering their nursing education, then they are in luck. Yes, students can officially be Dr. Smith and work as a nurse by obtaining a PhD in Nursing. Instead of an MD, the doctorate students receive is a PhD, which allows them to work in teaching and advanced research within the nursing industry. By getting a master’s degree, students become a nurse practitioner, clinical nurse specialist, certified nurse anesthetist, or certified nurse midwife. With a PhD in nursing, it makes sense to continue advancing within whatever path has been chosen.
Many nurses with doctorate degrees go into teaching in whatever field interests them most. Students can also work in research, where they work with doctors and patients to look for cures and better understand health and genetics. Some PhD in nursing candidates also continue practicing. A doctorate degree qualifies students for the highest-level positions out there in the nursing field, and they can also consider opening their own practice. With a PhD, students qualify to have an independent practice in some states, rather than having to work under the supervision of or in partnership with a doctor. While the national average salary for all levels of nursing is around $40,000 to $60,000 annually, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the salary is about $84,000 for medical and health service administrative positions. In some teaching or research jobs, students can earn even more. Of course, students also earn more as they gain experience in their field. A six-figure salary is definitely possible as a nurse with a doctorate degree.
In a PhD in nursing program, students cover topics such as leadership, research statistics and analysis, and nursing science philosophy. Many nursing programs allow students to specialize in one area of medicine or one type of nursing, so classes also cover high-level topics in this fields. Overall, it takes three to five years of full-time schooling, including work during summers, to complete a PhD in nursing degree program.
Online PhD in Nursing Degrees
- PhD in Nursing – Nursing Education: Capella University
- PhD in Nursing: University of Massachusetts
- PhD in Nursing: University of Phoenix
