A critical examination of developments in nursing doctoral education in the United States

Graduate nursing education in the United States is undergoing major transformations,as a result of factors both within nursing and in the larger society.

OBJECTIVE:

In this paper the authors examine the trends and factors that are influencing thechanges, especially in doctoral education, for both nurse scientist and advancedpractice preparation.

CONCLUSION:

The paper provides a background that serves as context, it gives an overview ofthe PhD and the DNP degrees, focusing on the recent changes and identifying themost compelling issues and concerns, ending with a series of recommendations.