Moving forward together: the practice doctorate in nursing.

Area of Science:

• Nursing Education
• Advanced Practice Nursing
• Doctoral Education

Background:

• Societal drivers and trends in healthcare and education are influencing nursing practice.
• There is a resurgence of interest in the practice doctorate for nurse practitioners.
• This movement may parallel historical shifts from certificate to Master's level preparation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide insights into the movement toward the practice doctorate in nursing.
• To describe the societal impetus for this educational change from the nurse practitioner (NP) perspective.
• To examine the historical context of NP and doctoral education.

Main Methods:

• The article adopts an NP perspective to analyze the movement toward the practice doctorate.
• It explores the societal drivers and historical evolution of doctoral education in nursing.
• The 4 Ws (why, what, where, when) of the movement are discussed, alongside myths and realities.

Main Results:

• Societal, educational, and healthcare trends are key drivers for the practice doctorate in nursing.
• The historical progression of NP education offers a parallel to the current interest in doctoral preparation.
• An examination of the movement reveals specific reasons, characteristics, and timing, addressing common misconceptions.

Conclusions:

• The practice doctorate represents a significant evolutionary step in advanced practice nursing education.
• Understanding the impetus and history is crucial for navigating this educational shift.
• The National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties (NONPF) serves as a key resource in this area.