Nursing and the doctorate, an important partnership: A discussion paper

This discussion paper aims to raise awareness of doctoral studies for nurses, highlighting current debates around different routes available, in the UK and across the international community, for further critique and discussion.

Nurses are being encouraged to undertake doctoral level study and research. Yet, the profession remains disproportionately under-represented at the doctoral academic level. Recent drivers and opportunities addressing the lack of research leadership and involvement of nurses are welcomed. It is vital for improved patient outcomes, evidence-based practice and the education of the nursing workforce that a proportion of nurses are being educated to doctoral level.

This is a discussion paper drawing on both UK and international literature to support a critical discussion.

The importance, requirements and challenges of obtaining a doctorate as a nurse are discussed in relation to relevant policy and literature, highlighting debates in the field and raising awareness of the different routes available. Comparisons with doctoral provision across the international community are made providing further awareness and allowing ongoing critique. In the UK the various routes provide equivalence in terms of academic rigor, quality and level of achievement and attainment.

There is an increasing need and aspiration, for nurses to study at doctoral level. Each pathway for a postgraduate doctorate award offers highly respected academic qualifications and recognition and is governed by strict quality assurance standards despite differences and variants in operationalisation.