Introduction
Nursing doctoral education is the highest level of qualification in the field of nursing. It is a long and arduous process that requires dedication and hard work. As such, it is crucial to determine the most appropriate focus for nursing doctoral education. There is considerable debate about whether nursing doctoral education should focus on research, practice, or both. This essay will explore the options of research-focused, practice-focused, or a combination of both as the focus for nursing doctoral education.
Benefits of Nursing Doctoral Education
Focus on Research
Research-focused nursing doctoral education has many advantages. The research-focused approach to nursing doctoral education would involve the completion of a PhD thesis (Jackson et al., 2021). This would enable students to gain a deeper understanding of the subject matter and advance the profession’s knowledge.
Such an approach provides the student with the opportunity to develop critical thinking and research skills, which are essential to the practice of nursing (Jackson et al., 2021). Furthermore, this type of focus would enable the development of new theories and interventions that can be subsequently applied in practice. Research can also help nurses to identify and address gaps in care, improve patient outcomes, and inform healthcare policy.
Focus on Practice
The numerous benefits of practice-focused nursing doctoral programs are primarily realized through the completion of a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree, which represents an applied path to doctoral education (McCauley et al., 2020). This type of education involves applying nursing knowledge and skills in the clinical setting, providing the necessary tools to effectively and efficiently manage patient care. It would also equip students with advanced clinical skills and knowledge needed to excel in their practice (McCauley et al., 2020). Thus, this approach would be highly beneficial in developing the skills and knowledge necessary for nursing practice.
Conclusion
To summarize, nursing doctoral education has two main options: research- and practice-oriented studies. Each has its own advantages and disadvantages, and it is up to the individual student to decide which is the best for them. Nevertheless, it could be argued that a combination of both research and practice would be the ideal choice for nursing doctoral education, as it would provide the student with both theoretical knowledge and practical skills.
References
Jackson, D., Davidson, P. M. & Usher, K. (2021). Successful doctoral training in nursing and health sciences: A guide for supervisors, students, and advisors. Springer International Publishing.
McCauley, L. A., Broome, M. E., Frazier, L., Hayes, R., Kurth, A., Musil, C. M., Norman, L. D., Rideout, K. H., & Villarruel, A. M. (2020). Doctor of nursing practice (DNP) degree in the United States: Reflecting, readjusting, and getting back on track. Nursing Outlook, 68(4), 494-503. Web.