Jiayun Xu1, Lucine Francis2, Jenny Dine3, Teresa Hagan Thomas4. 1. Purdue University School of Nursing, 502 N University Street, West Lafayette, IN 47907-2069, United States of America. Electronic address: jiayun@purdue.edu. 2. Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing, 525 N Wolfe St, Baltimore, MD 21205, United States of America. 3. Hunter College, 695 Park Ave, New York, NY 10065, United States of America; Weill Cornell Medicine, 695 Park Ave, New York, NY 10065, United States of America. 4. University of Pittsburgh School of Nursing, 3500 Victoria St, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, United States of America. Electronic address: t.thomas@pitt.edu.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Given the aging nursing education workforce and the persistent high demand for doctorally-prepared nursing faculty, there is a critical need to increase the number of nurses entering and completing PhD programs. To fill this need, accelerated PhD education pathways, such as the direct entry BSN/BS-PhD education pathway, have become popular. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to explore the unique characteristics of the direct entry BSN/BS-PhD student experience. This study defines and details the experiences of current and past direct entry BSN/BS-PhD students. DESIGN: This was a qualitative, descriptive study. SETTING: Web-based journals and feedback. PARTICIPANTS: Our sample includes four former and current direct entry BSN/BS-PhD students. METHODS: We used the Delphi method to first analyze participants' journal entries on their lived experiences, and then iteratively summarize and classify the experiences into summative themes. RESULTS: We found four themes unique to participants' experiences: commitment to science, nursing identity, exploring prospects, and balancing family and student expectations. CONCLUSIONS: To ensure that BSN/BS-PhD students have a high-quality education, nurse leaders should be aware of the unique perspectives of direct entry BSN/BS-PhD students. Results from this study can be used to evaluate BSN/BS-PhD programs from students' perspectives.
BACKGROUND: Given the aging nursing education workforce and the persistent high demand for doctorally-prepared nursing faculty, there is a critical need to increase the number of nurses entering and completing PhD programs. To fill this need, accelerated PhD education pathways, such as the direct entry BSN/BS-PhD education pathway, have become popular. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to explore the unique characteristics of the direct entry BSN/BS-PhD student experience. This study defines and details the experiences of current and past direct entry BSN/BS-PhD students. DESIGN: This was a qualitative, descriptive study. SETTING: Web-based journals and feedback. PARTICIPANTS: Our sample includes four former and current direct entry BSN/BS-PhD students. METHODS: We used the Delphi method to first analyze participants' journal entries on their lived experiences, and then iteratively summarize and classify the experiences into summative themes. RESULTS: We found four themes unique to participants' experiences: commitment to science, nursing identity, exploring prospects, and balancing family and student expectations. CONCLUSIONS: To ensure that BSN/BS-PhD students have a high-quality education, nurse leaders should be aware of the unique perspectives of direct entry BSN/BS-PhD students. Results from this study can be used to evaluate BSN/BS-PhD programs from students' perspectives.
Authors: Nicholas A Giordano; Peggy Compton; Paule V Joseph; Carol Ann Romano; Mariann R Piano; Mary D Naylor Journal: J Prof Nurs Date: 2020-09-02 Impact factor: 2.104