%0 Journal Article
%T Topic: The Doctor of Nursing Practice; Title: Difficult Professional Choices: Deciding Between the PhD and the DNP
%A Jo A. Loomis
%A Barbara Willard
%A Jayne Cohen
%J Online Journal of Issues in Nursing
%D 2007
%I 
%X Although the PhD has been the traditional doctoral degree in nursing, nurses now have a choice between that degree and the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree. An Internet-based exploratory survey of DNP students (n= 69) investigated the motivation of nurses to pursue doctoral education, factors that influenced the decision between the two degrees, rationale for choosing the DNP program, and career plans after graduation. A majority reported considering the PhD but decided the DNP would be more appropriate for their professional and personal goals. Nursing education was ranked as an important career intention for 55% of respondents, dispelling the concern that the DNP will increase the shortage of nursing faculty. The results indicate that the DNP degree is a desirable option for clinically oriented nurses considering doctoral education and provides nurses with a choice of educational pathways for their professional careers. Citation: Loomis, J., Willard, B., Cohen, J., (December 22, 2006). "Difficult Professional Choices: Deciding Between the PhD and the DNP in Nursing". OJIN: The Online Journal of Issues in Nursing. Vol. 12 No. 1. Available: Key words:
%K PhD in nursing
%K research doctorate
%K Doctor of Nursing Practice
%K DNP
%K practice doctorate in nursing
%K clinical nursing practice
%K nursing faculty shortage
%K advanced practice nurses
%K nursing education
%U www.nursingworld.org/MainMenuCategories/ANAMarketplace/ANAPeriodicals/OJIN/TableofContents/Volume122007/No1Jan07/ArticlePreviousTopics/tpc28_816033.aspx