Expanding horizons: Lonergan's philosophy as a guide to PhD program pedagogy

Area of Science:

• Nursing Science
• Doctoral Education

Background:

• The traditional apprenticeship model is the standard for educating nurse scientists in research-focused doctoral programs.
• This model assumes optimal learning occurs when students are paired with faculty on similar research topics.
• The effectiveness of the apprenticeship model is contingent upon a stable workforce, adequate funding, and sufficient faculty expertise.

Purpose of the Study:

• To propose and describe an alternative pedagogical approach for preparing doctoral students in nursing science.
• To foster a new generation of creative and insightful nursing scholars capable of advancing the discipline.
• To explore innovative methods beyond the conventional apprenticeship model in nursing doctoral education.

Main Methods:

• The paper outlines a novel approach to doctoral nursing education.
• This approach is philosophically grounded in the work of Bernard Lonergan.
• The focus is on cultivating critical thinking and expanding the scope of nursing science.

Main Results:

• The proposed model aims to cultivate creative and insightful thinkers.
• It seeks to broaden the intellectual horizons within the nursing discipline.
• This represents a departure from the established apprenticeship paradigm.

Conclusions:

• Alternative approaches to doctoral nursing education are necessary and valuable.
• The proposed Lonergan-based model offers a framework for developing innovative nurse scientists.
• This new approach has the potential to significantly contribute to the advancement of nursing science.