To qualify for admission to an online PhD nursing degree program, you must have completed either a bachelor's or master's of science in nursing degree. You also must be certified as a registered nurse in your state of residence. Universities such as the Medical University of South Carolina and New Mexico State University may require a minimum undergraduate or graduate grade-point average, ranging from 3.0 to 3.5. Students enrolled in online training also are expected to have basic computer skills and experience with Internet navigation.
According to Vanderbilt University School of Nursing, the goal of the PhD in Nursing degree is "to prepare scholars for research and academic careers in public or private sectors of health care." Students are trained to consider the health care needs of patients and communities when analyzing and developing research and policy strategies. Drawing on their clinical experience as registered nurses, students learn to develop and review new techniques that can advance patient care and outcomes.
Depending on whether students choose to study full-time or part-time and have either a bachelor's or master's degree, an online PhD nursing degree program can take three to six years to complete. Although the majority of learning is conducted online, students are required to attend mandatory on-campus programs and short intensive courses from once to three times a year, depending on the online university chosen. Students are also highly encouraged to become members and attend conferences held by professional regional nursing research societies.
Curriculum for online PhD nursing programs is developed with the intent of producing nursing scholars. Therefore, classes are offered in subjects such as health policy, research and issues for advanced practice nurses; applied statistical methods for nursing research; theories, constructs and concepts of vulnerabilities; health policy and advocacy; and theories in the nursing of children. Students pursuing a PhD in nursing education, as offered by Capella University, will also take courses in classroom assessment, curriculum design and evaluation, and teaching strategies and techniques.
Graduates of online PhD nursing degree programs seek employment in health-care administration, clinical research, government health policy and education. The combination of practical clinical nursing experience, academic training, dedication and leadership skills makes nurses with PhD degrees highly desirable to employers. With their extensive knowledge and continuing research, nurses with PhD degrees have the unique opportunity to improve the quality of health care not only in their communities but also on a global scale.