Page 163 - Encyclopedia of Nursing Research

130 n DoCToRAL EDUCATion

preparation for faculty positions, particularly students to study instructional technology
in research-intensive institutions. Research- and pedagogy and to have practicum expe-
D focused doctoral programs offer either the riences teaching students. Typically, half or
academic doctorate (doctor of philosophy more of the credits focus on research meth-
[PhD]) or the professional doctor of nursing odology and actual conduct of research. on
science (DnS, DSn, or DnSc) degree; one the average, full-time students complete their
research-focused program offers the doctor doctoral study in 4 years: 2 years to complete
of education (EdD). Practice-focused doctoral the course work and an additional 2 years to
programs, which are increasing very rap- complete the dissertation.
idly in number, are designed to prepare the An important trend in nursing is the
nurse for specialized advanced practice and rapid increase in the number and size
administrative roles and for practice leader- of practice-focused doctoral programs.
ship. They often prepare individuals for fac- Stimulated by position papers and policy
ulty roles focused in clinical teaching. The statements by the American Association of
degree title that is most commonly offered Colleges of nursing (in 2004) and several
by practice-focused programs is the doctor of other professional organizations, practice-
nursing practice (DnP or DrnP). Currently, focused doctoral programs are now viewed
more than 120 institutions in 36 states plus as a viable alternative to the academic doc-
the District of Columbia offer DnP pro- torate for individuals who wish to attain the
grams, and more than 161 are planned. The highest level of expertise in clinical practice.
number of research-focused doctoral pro- Enrollment in DnP programs currently out-
grams has also increased but more slowly; numbers that in PhD programs in nursing.
they currently number 120, and 8 more are The curricula differ considerably from those
being developed. Many institutions offer of the research-focused programs, with the
both types of doctoral programs. major differences being that practice-focused
Most research-focused programs offer programs typically include fewer credits
the PhD. it is the doctoral degree that is addressing research and require both an
universally recognized and accepted and intensive practicum experience and a final
enjoys considerable prestige, particularly project that differs from a dissertation. Areas
in academia. Curricula for programs lead- of content that are common to virtually all
ing to research-focused doctorates typically of the practice-focused doctoral programs
contain a core of required courses address- include the following: the scientific under-
ing nursing theory and theory development pinnings for practice; ethical underpinnings
strategies and various aspects of research for practice; advanced practice in a given
methodology and statistics. in addition, specialty area of nursing; organization and
students usually are required to deepen system leadership, including organizational
their substantive expertise in a specialized change strategies and quality improvement;
area of nursing knowledge and research analytic methodologies related to the evalu-
by selecting courses in nursing and related ation of practice, application of evidence to
disciplines (cognates), becoming involved practice, and practice-focused scholarship;
in hands-on research-related experiences use of technology and information; develop-
such as research residencies or practice and ment, application, and evaluation of health
research assistantships and conducting a policy; health promotion and disease pre-
major independent research project that cul- vention for individuals and populations; and
minates in a written dissertation. Because interdisciplinary collaboration. in addition,
graduates of research-focused doctoral pro- programs provide the basis for advanced spe-
grams often are employed as faculty, many cialized expertise in at least one area of nurs-
PhD programs provide opportunities for ing practice. A dissertation is generally not