Stimulating Research Interest and Ambitions in Undergraduate Nursing Students: The Research-Doctorate Pipeline...

Innovative strategies may support the Institute of Medicine's recommendation to increase the number of doctorally prepared nurses by 50% by 2020. Moreover, strategies implemented may increase the number and diversity of Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)-prepared nurses in particular.

The purpose of this article is to describe the approaches used by one college of nursing to enact a research-doctorate pipeline initiative to inspire a diverse pool of undergraduate students to consider pursuing a PhD degree. Principles that served as the foundation for this pipeline initiative are identified.

Sixteen undergraduate students, with varying degrees of research interest, participated in this initiative. Students contributed an average of 35 hours as full members of research teams, and 94% completed the experience. Students with initial low interest in research reported enhanced interest after participation. Overall student experiences were positive and influenced future career plans.

Lessons learned and future steps for the pipeline initiative are presented.