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Graduate Studies

The Nursing PhD program is included within Graduate Studies at UNMC. In addition to the specific nursing information included here and in this Admission section, more information including basic admission requirments and the core PhD curriculum are located on the Graduate Studies pages at Nursing PhD in Graduate Studies.

Purpose

The purpose of the PhD program is to prepare nurse scientists to be transformational leaders in the discovery of knowledge to improve health and advance the profession of nursing. Nurse scientists improve the health of human beings through the development, testing and dissemination of nursing science. The doctoral program is committed to quality graduate education and to a learning environment that prepares graduates for leadership roles in research, education, practice policy, and academic administration.

Areas of Research Emphasis

The UNMC College of Nursing has faculty ready to serve on dissertation committees that focus on the following areas:

  1. Promoting and managing health in at-risk populations and in chronic illness
  2. Health Systems and Quality (leadership, policy, administration)
  3. Nursing Education (undergraduate and graduate)

Additional information regarding PhD research focus areas can be found at https://www.unmc.edu/nursing/educational-programs/graduate/doctoral-faculty-in-nursing.html.

Two Paths to PhD

UNMC offers two paths to your PhD. The Master's to PhD is for students who have their master's degree in nursing or a related field and will earn their PhD degree. The BSN to PhD is for students who have received their bachelor's degree and will include some graduate level courses in addition to PhD core courses as they earn their PhD degree. Beginning fall semester 2021, the BSN-PhD path does not have an option of taking courses for Advanced Nursing Practice as a Nurse Practitioner. For those who are interested in an advanced clinical practice as a Nurse Practitioner, we encourage you to consider the Post-Graduate Certificate after completing your PhD.

Competencies for Students Enrolled Beginning Fall 2024

Graduates of the Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing program will be prepared to:

  1. Synthesize in-depth knowledge and theoretical underpinnings in a substantive area.
  2. Integrate philosophy, ethics, and the responsible conduct of research into scholarly works.
  3. Appraise the role of precision health in the care of individuals and society.
  4. Forecast the impact of climate change on health.
  5. Prioritize the determinants of health, health equity and social justice. Collaborate with others to ensure health equity.
  6. Integrate health economics, patient-reported outcomes, health promotion and awareness, promotion of cultural safety, military, and LGBTI health into scholarly works.
  7. Create opportunities for improvement in global and rural health, and lead through advances in nursing science.
  8. Execute scientific methods, and model team-based science.
  9. Critique advanced research designs and statistical methods. Compare and utilize advanced research designs and statistical methods as appropriate.
  10. Synthesize data methods, management, data analytics, and big data.
  11. Communicate concepts and components of scholarship, design thinking, and innovation.
  12. Engage effectively in mentored research experiences, including interdisciplinary mentors and teams.
  13. Critically analyze extant literature.
  14. Generate competencies in grantsmanship and dissemination, both written and oral, to various audiences.
  15. Advocate for and engage in strategies in health policy and healthcare systems.
  16. Facilitate skill-building in leadership through didactic and non-course elements to prepare the next generation of nurse leaders.
  17. Design effective teaching and learning experiences using cognitive science.

Competencies for Students Enrolled Before Fall 2024

Graduates of the Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing program will be prepared to:

  1. Master in-depth knowledge in a substantive area.
  2. Appreciate the history and philosophy of science.
  3. Critique and integrate different science perspectives in the conduct of research.
  4. Understand the evolving nature of the nursing discipline.
  5. Generate new ideas based on a critical evaluation of existing knowledge.
  6. Conduct original research.
  7. Assume leadership in the conduct of culturally competency scholarship to improve nursing practice.
  8. Utilize professional and research ethics and judgement in the conduct of research.
  9. Conduct team science and participate and lead interdisciplinary research teams.
  10. Integrate the components of scholarship, research, teaching, mentoring, and service to the profession.
  11. Understand the evolving roles and responsibilities of a nurse scholar.
  12. Lead in advancing the profession.
  13. Provide professional and research mentorship to others.
  14. Contribute to a global community of scholars.
  15. Contribute to the formal and informal education of future nurses through discovery, application and integration.
  16. Communicate research findings to lay and professional audiences and identify implications for policy, nursing practice, and the profession.
  17. Communicate scholarship including peer-referred and publications and presentation for professional interdisciplinary audiences.