PhD in Nursing Science for non-RNs: Opportunities, Challenges and Future Directions
Background: Nursing values interdisciplinary collaboration. Enrollment of non-RNs into Nursing Science PhD programs has occurred since 1999. Because nursing is a practice-based discipline, accepting non-RN students into Nursing Science PhD programs is controversial. Systematic evaluation of this admissions practice has not been conducted. Therefore, this project is intended to guide future SON planning among educators and administrators. The long term goal is to facilitate alignment of recruitment, curriculum, funding, mentoring and post-graduate opportunities of non-RN PhD students in Nursing Science.
Methods: Administrators in top 20 US SON programs were contacted via email and asked specific questions regarding program requirements, enrollment and graduation information; descriptive statistics were used to analyze responses. For Aim 2, the sample consisted of School of Nursing faculty, current non-RN PhD students, and non-RN Nursing Science PhD alumni in a large urban university. An anonymous survey was sent out to 150 faculty to explore perceptions of the program, student opportunities and challenges; five current students and 25 alumni were contacted via email and offered a structured interview to explore experiences, perceived opportunities and challenges. Surveys and structured interviews were analyzed using descriptive statistics and content analysis. This project had IRB approval.
Results: Among the top 20 PhD programs in Nursing Science, four accept students who are non-RNs. Across these schools, 50 have enrolled (including current students) and 28 have graduated. In response to faculty survey, 34 completed the survey (60% had taught; 33% had been on committees of non-nurse students). Among faculty that had non-RNs in their classes, there was a split in perspective regarding the advantages and disadvantages of having non-RNs in the program. More faculty noted advantages than disadvantages. The advantages focused on increased interdisciplinary perspectives on clinical issues. The disadvantages focused on nursing as a practice-based discipline and the need to maintain it as such. Among current students and alumni contacted, four students and six alumni were interviewed. Perceived challenges included: limited opportunities for funding, committee/organizational membership, faculty positions, educational fellowships, professional awards; lack of acceptance/hostility from peers; expertise/input not valued; and knowledge of different literature/theories compared to their peers. Perceived benefits included: ability to offer diverse perspectives, supportive peers, opportunities for multi-disciplinary collaboration, expertise in multiple fields, and expansion of Nursing Science research topics.
Discussion/Implications: The number of Nursing Science PhD programs that accept non-RN students has increased over the past decade. There are now multiple non-RN Nurse Scientists in the workforce. A national discussion regarding Nursing Science is needed to guide the educational process, conceptualization of Nursing Science as a discipline, and the role of non-RNs within the field. This has implications for admissions, curriculum, funding, and employment.