Doctoral nursing programs, as stated in the article Doctoral Nursing Programs: Advancing Nursing Perspective, teach nurses to be nurse scientists with extensive knowledge in their discipline, whether clinical, academe, or administrative, and, most crucially, research. As a result, they contribute to the advancement and transformation of nursing and its practice. They are also well-educated and well-positioned to assist in the development of policies and the shaping of the healthcare system. In the Philippines, few nurses, including our nursing leaders, have earned a doctorate in nursing.

Keep reading to see detailed information on doctor of nursing practice salary, 2 year nursing degree in philippines, phd in nursing university of the philippines, master of arts in nursing philippines, and phd in nursing meaning.

Doctor Of Philosophy In Nursing Philippines

This can be attributed to many factors and one of which is the limited number of nursing schools offering a doctorate degree in nursing.  With this, many nurses have instead opted to widen their horizon by taking up other doctoral programs such as Doctor of Public Health, Doctor of Philosophy in Educational, and Doctor of Education.  Notable personalities in Philippine Nursing that have obtained their doctorate degrees include Dr. Carmencita Abaquin (Chairman, PRC-Board of Nursing), Dr. Carmelita Divinagracia (Dean, UERMMMC-College of Nursing), and Sister Carolina Agravante,SPC (University President, St.Paul Iloilo).

Schools Offering Doctoral Nursing Programs in the Philippines

The following are the schools offering doctorate programs in nursing in the Philippines:

MANILA TYTANA COLLEGES (Formerly Manila Doctors College)
Program of Study: Doctor of Nursing Management (DNM) **
Address: President Diosdado Macapagal Blvd., Metropolitan Park, Pasay City 1302
Contact Number: (632) 859-0888
Email: information@mtc.edu.ph
Website: http://mtc.edu.ph/

OUR LADY OF FATIMA UNIVERSITY
Program of Study: Doctor of Philosophy Major in Nursing Administration (PhD)
Address: 120 McArthur Highway, Valenzuela City, Philippines
Contact Number: (02) 291-6556; 291-6644
Email: admissions@fatima.edu.ph
Website: http://www.fatima.edu.ph/content.asp?pid=197&cat=3

PHILIPPINE WOMEN’S UNIVERSITY
Program of Study: Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing (PhD)
Address: 1743 Taft Avenue, Manila 1004, Philippines
Contact Number: (632) 526-8421 local 125
Email: nursing@pwu.edu.ph
Website: http://www.pwu.edu.ph/nursing/index.html

SILLIMAN UNIVERSITY
Program of Study: Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing (PhD)
Address: Hibbard Avenue, Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental 6200 Philippines
Contact Number: 422-6002 local 500
Email: sucn@su.edu.ph
Website: http://beta.su.edu.ph/college/nursing/course/

ST. PAUL UNIVERSITY PHILIPPINES (ST. PAUL UNIVERSITY SYSTEM)
Program of Study: Doctor of Nursing Science (DNSc)
Address: Mabini Street, Tugegarao City 3500 Cagayan, Philippines
Contact Number: (078) 846-1863
Website: http://www.spup.edu.ph/FS_ProgramsCourses.aspx

ST. PAUL UNIVERSITY MANILA (ST.PAUL UNIVERSITY SYSTEM)
Program of Study: Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing Education Major in Educational Leadership & Management (PhD NED)
Address: 680 Pedro Gil St., Malate 1004 Manila, Philippines
Contact Number: (632) 524-5687
Website: http://www.spumanila.edu.ph/FS_ProgramsCourses.aspx

TRINITY UNIVERSITY OF ASIA
Program of Study: Doctor of Nursing Management (DNM)
Address: Cathedral Heights 275 E. Rodrigues Sr. Avenue, Quezon City, Philippines 1102
Contact Number: 702-2882
Website: http://www.tua.edu.ph/academicprograms.php

UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES MANILA
Program of Study: Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing (PhD)
Address: Pedro Gil cor. Taft Avenue, Manila, Philippines
Website: www.upm.edu.ph

PhD in Nursing Education

If you earn your Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Nursing Education, you can become a researcher or postsecondary nursing education teacher. Read on to learn more about this degree, how the programs work, if you can take classes online and what jobs you’ll qualify for after graduation.

Who Should Apply to a Nursing Education Ph.D. Program?

Doctoral degree programs in nursing education are usually designed for nursing professionals who wish to enter education positions within the nursing field or who would like to produce research on nursing practices, teaching methods and technologies. To apply, most programs require you to be a registered nurse and to hold at least a bachelor’s degree in nursing or a related field. Teaching experience might also be recommended.

Common Students	Nursing professionals interested in producing nursing research or becoming nurse educators
Online Availability	Online programs are available with possible visits to campus required; specific computer programs and equipment may be required
Common Courses	Teaching strategies for nurse educators, U.S. health care system, nursing theory, applied research in nursing, curriculum development
Median Annual Wage (2020)	$75,470 (for postsecondary nursing instructors and teachers)*
Job Outlook (2019-29)	18% growth (for postsecondary nursing instructors and teachers)*

*Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Can I Take Classes Online?

You can earn your Ph.D. in Nursing Education online. Some programs have a residency requirement, which usually includes attending orientation at the beginning of the Ph.D. program. Some programs also administer all major exams on campus.

To participate fully in an online program, you typically must download Windows Media Player, Flash Player and an antivirus program. You also usually need a computer, DVD player, sound card, speakers and headphones.

How Does the Program Work?

Nursing education programs combine nursing and medicine with advanced teaching methods. Classes examine which teaching strategies work best for students of different backgrounds. You’ll analyze how learning disabilities can affect teaching approaches. This program usually combines academic work with a hands-on student teaching experience. Common nursing education courses include:

• Nursing theory
• Teaching strategies for nurse educators
• Leadership in the health care field
• Curriculum development
• Applied research in nursing
• U.S. health care system

You typically must take a comprehensive exam and write a dissertation proposal midway through the program to receive your Ph.D. candidacy. The dissertation should be based on the scientific exploration of a research problem related to nursing education. Most Ph.D. programs end with the defense of your dissertation in front of a committee of faculty members.

what is doctor of philosophy in nursing

A Ph.D. nurse is one who has completed a Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing degree. A Ph.D., or doctoral degree, is the highest level of education a nurse can achieve. Different from a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree, which focuses on advanced clinical practice, a Ph.D. in Nursing program is a research and science-focused degree that prepares nurses for careers conducting important medical research that will advance the entire nursing profession and for teaching nursing at the college level.

RegisteredNursing.org Staff Writers | Updated/Verified: Sep 13, 2022

Becoming a Ph.D. Nurse

In order to become a Ph.D. nurse, of course, nurses must complete a Ph.D. in nursing program, which generally takes 4 to 6 years to finish. An aspiring Ph.D. nurse must have a strong interest in conducting medical research and/or teaching future nurses. Strong leadership skills are also important, as many Ph.D. nurses go on to supervise and mentor other nurses, whether they work in scientific research, management, or teaching capacity.

What Are the Educational Requirements For a Ph.D. Nurse Program?

A Ph.D. in Nursing program is known as a terminal degree, meaning it is the highest level of education for the nursing profession (in addition to the DNP degree, another separate nursing doctorate program track). Prior to entering a Ph.D. program, nurses must complete a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree and pass the NCLEX-RN exam. In some cases, applicants to a Ph.D. in Nursing program must also complete a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree, which provides advanced education in nursing practice with courses in pharmacology, pathophysiology, and clinical practice.

Educational Prerequisites

Specific requirements to complete a Ph.D. in Nursing program will vary slightly from school to school. Schools offer Ph.D. in Nursing programs in traditional classroom formats, as well as online and hybrid styles that combine in-person study with online coursework. In addition to a variety of formats for Ph.D. in Nursing programs, students can also sometimes opt to take these programs on a full-time or part-time basis to suit their personal schedules.

The curriculum for a Ph.D. in Nursing program is research-focused, with coursework in advanced scientific research principles, data analysis, and statistical measurement. Ph.D. programs generally culminate in a dissertation and original research project. As an example of Ph.D. curriculum, below is a selection of courses offered by the Medical University of South Carolina as part of their online Ph.D. in Nursing Science program:

• Advanced Quantitative Research Methods
• Qualitative Research Methods
• Advanced Statistical Methods for Nursing Research
• Advanced Study Design and Methods
• Advanced Health Policy & Advocacy
• Research Team Leadership

What Does a Ph.D. Nurse Do?

A Ph.D. nurse conducts scientific research that advances the nursing profession. The knowledge that Ph.D. nurses gather and present as a part of their scientific research powers positive change in the quality of patient care and outcomes in the entire nursing field. In addition to their role as nurse scientists, Ph.D. nurses also teach and mentor nurses at the college/university level, working to shape the next generation of nurses.

What Are the Roles and Duties of a Ph.D. Nurse?

The majority of Ph.D. nurses pursue careers in either the research or teaching fields, so their day-to-day duties will vary depending on which career track they have chosen.

For a nurse researcher, typical duties may include:

• Identify research questions, and design and conduct scientific research in partnership with other scientists from various fields
• Collect and analyze scientific data and publish reports detailing findings
• Write proposals and apply for grants to help fund their research
• Establish and maintain quality assurance programs to ensure the validity of their data findings
• Train and supervise laboratory staff and other nurses or scientists

For a Ph.D. nurse educator who has chosen to pursue a faculty position, typical duties may include:

• Plan, prepare, and revise curriculum and study materials for nursing courses
• Deliver lectures to undergraduate and graduate level nursing students
• Supervise students’ laboratory and clinical work
• Grade students’ classwork, laboratory, and clinical performance
• Mentor and advise students regarding their future work in the nursing industry

For faculty members who pursue department chair or administration roles, additional duties may include:

• Hire, supervise and conduct performance reviews of faculty members
• Assist with the scheduling of classes and professors
• Oversee department curriculum and provide quality control as to the content and materials of given nursing courses

Workplace Settings

A Ph.D. nurse can work in a variety of settings, depending on the career path he or she has chosen. A Ph.D. nurse may find employment at a hospital, medical laboratory, research facility, or university as a research scientist, or may work at a nursing school, college, or university as a faculty member or department chair. In some cases, a Ph.D. nurse may also work as a public health nurse in a government setting, helping to develop research-based solutions to public health issues.

Ph.D. Nurse Salary & Employment

Salaries for Ph.D. nurses vary based on the type of employment a nurse seeks after graduation. Nurse researchers, a primary career path for Ph.D. nurses, can expect a median salary of $90,000 according to Payscale.com. For Ph.D. nurses who pursue a teaching position, the median annual wage for post-secondary nursing instructors is $77,440 according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics as of May 2021. Geographical location, career length, and experience level are all factors that can influence a Ph.D. nurse’s annual salary.

The nursing profession as a whole has a particularly bright employment outlook, with the employment of registered nurses projected to grow 9 percent from 2020 to 2030 according to the BLS. In addition, a large number of healthcare facilities are looking for nursing professionals with higher degrees, which means the demand for Ph.D. and DNP level nurses will continue to grow. In fact, the Institute of Medicine‘s 2015 “The Future of Nursing Report” emphasized the need for more Ph.D. level nurses.

Ph.D. vs. DNP in Nursing

As there are two doctorate-level nursing program types to choose from, there may be some confusion as to the differences between a Ph.D. nursing program and a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree. The primary difference between the two programs relates to nurses’ career aspirations. A DNP program trains nurses to perform the highest level of nursing practice and to translate research into high-quality patient care, while a Ph.D. program prepares nurses to conduct cutting-edge research that will advance the science of nursing and patient care. In addition to research positions, a Ph.D. program prepares nurses for leadership and teaching positions at hospitals and colleges/universities. To simplify, a DNP is a nursing practice doctorate degree, while a Ph.D. is a research and teaching doctorate.

Other key differences between DNP and Ph.D. programs are curriculum and program length. A typical DNP program includes courses on advanced nursing practice, leadership, and management topics and requires patient care clinical hours as well as a final capstone project. A Ph.D. program includes coursework on research methodologies, data analysis, and healthcare leadership and policy, and requires students to complete original research and a dissertation. In general, a Ph.D. program takes longer to complete than a DNP program, with Ph.D. programs taking an average of 4 to 6 years to complete and a DNP program taking 3 to 4 years, but can be completed in as little as 2 years depending on the school and program chosen.

DNP vs Ph.D. in Nursing – What is the Difference?

Nurses that have earned a Master’s degree and are ready for the next step may be choosing between a DNP vs PhD Both are considered terminal degrees for advanced practice nurses but are rooted in a very different practice. In the most general terms, a doctor of nursing practice (DNP), is a clinical practice degree while a doctor of philosophy in nursing (PhD) is a research-focused degree. 

Nurse Practitioners have the option to earn either degree but a DNP is preferred. Individuals with a Master’s degree in Nursing Education will generally earn their PhD 

Doctors of Nursing Practice (DNP) deliver high-quality advanced nursing care in a clinical setting, similarly to an NP; however, these individuals have taken their career a step farther.

The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN), states that transitioning from advanced practice NP degrees to the doctoral level is a “…response to changes in health care delivery and emerging healthcare needs, additional knowledge or content areas have been identified by practicing nurses. In addition, the knowledge required to provide leadership in the discipline of nursing is so complex and rapidly changing that additional or doctoral level education is needed.”

Essentially, DNP graduates are leaders in advanced nursing practice that bring evidence-based knowledge into the clinical setting to help improve healthcare outcomes and strengthen the leadership role of nurses in both the clinical and academic setting. 

The benefits of a DNP program according to the AACN are,

• enhanced knowledge to improve nursing practice and patient outcomes
• enhanced leadership skills 
• increased supply of faculty for clinical instruction
• development of needed advanced competencies for increasingly complex clinical, faculty and leadership role

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DNP Scope of Practice

An individual with a DNP can function in a provider capacity but most also work to generate new scientific and clinical knowledge in nursing and healthcare. A nurse practitioner with a doctorate does not change the scope of practice. DNPs that work in the clinical setting can, 

• Order, perform and interpret diagnostic tests
• Diagnose and treat acute and chronic conditions
• Record and examine medical history, diagnoses, and symptoms
• Prescribe medications
• Manage patients’ overall care
• Counsel patients and their families
• Educate patients and families on disease prevention and plan of care
• Monitor and operate medical equipment
• Perform physical examinations and patient observations
• Collaborate with other healthcare professionals
• Detect changes in a patient’s health and change the treatment plan if necessary

DNPs that work solely in the clinical setting will rarely conduct scientific research or teach. For this reason, most DNPs also work in academia, as administrators, and/or researchers. 

The duties of a nurse with a DNP, outside of the clinical setting, can include the following:

• Use informatics to lead improvements in healthcare outcomes.
• Develop or update policies and procedures.
• Educate patients and public about healthcare.
• Innovate new healthcare strategies to improve patient health outcomes.

In 23 states, DNPs have “full practice authority” which means they do not have to work under the supervision of a doctor. Full practice states include,

• Washington
• Oregon
• North Dakota
• Iowa
• Maine
• Oklahoma
• New Mexico

In states with reduced practice (Alabama, Wisconsin, and New York) and restricted practice (Virgina, Massachusetts, and California), DNPs must have a medical doctor sign certain medical patient care decisions. DNPs have prescriptive privileges in all 50 states and can administer controlled substances in 49 states.

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DNP Salary

In 2019, on NPs made an annual median salary of $115,800, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics; interestingly, there is minimal concrete data on the average annual salary of a DNP. Healthcare salary trends suspect DNPs average $125,000 to $150,000 per year. 

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics has very limited data on DNP salaries but the reported average is $135,830. This average is based on only a small number of reported salaries. The key determining factor for salary is the career nurses pursue after obtaining an advanced degree. A Chief Nursing Officer will earn more than a Nursing Professor. Ultimately, additional advanced education is reflective of higher annual salary earnings.

It is impossible to determine which DNP specialty has the highest salary but hospital administrators, DNP-prepared certified nurse midwives, and DNP-prepared certified nurse anesthetists are at the top. 

According to the 2019 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Certified Midwives can earn on average $156,450 in the San Francisco, California area while certified nurse anesthetists can earn a mean wage of $266,260 in Toledo, Ohio.

DNP Programs, Length of Time, & Classes

According to the 2019 U.S. News & World Report, the top five DNP programs in the country are,   

1. Johns Hopkins University
2. Duke University and Rush University (tie)
3. University of Washington
4. Vanderbilt University
5. University of Maryland – Baltimore

Johns Hopkins, Duke, and Rush have consistently been in the top 5 DNP schools the last several years. Rush University has the largest DNP program with over 800 enrolled students while Johns Hopkins and Duke have approximately 200 DNP students.

DNP programs can be completed both online and in class. To pursue a DNP, individuals already would have completed a traditional or accelerated BSN program and have an MSN. There are only a handful of programs that accept students into the DNP program without an MSN. 

A DNP program completion can take roughly one to four years. This will depend on the program and whether it is being completed on a full time or part time basis. Programs are typically between 30-40 credit hours and 1,000 clinical hours. A percentage of clinical hours earned during an MSN program can transfer in some programs. 

Individuals should expect to take the following classes:

• Advance Leadership
• Advance Healthcare Policy
• Clinical Information Systems
• Research
• Evidence Appraisal
• Project Development
• Clinical Information Systems
• Statistics
• Clinical Reasoning
• Clinical Pharmacology
• Advanced Health Assessment and Measurement
• Health Promotion and Risk Reduction Across the Lifespan
• Epidemiology
• Ethics for advanced nursing practice

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DNP Admission Requirements

Requirements for DNP programs will vary but most will require the following:

• MSN degree from a regionally accredited higher education institution and a nationally accredited school of nursing
• GPA of at least 3.0 or higher in the Master’s program
• Current, unencumbered nursing license
• RN experience 
• Letters of Recommendation (both academic and professional references)
• Official Transcripts (from all previous colleges/universities)
• Current Resume/CV
• Goal statement
• Personal essay
• Advanced Practice Registered Nursing license
• Interview with faculty (if moved forward by admissions committee)
• Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) if applicable 
• Application fee

What is a Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing (PhD)?

A Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing (PhD in Nursing), is a research-focused doctorate in which students conduct research to advance the science and practice of nursing. PhDs are considered the gold standard for terminal degrees in nursing and at one time was the only doctorate option. 

Individuals must have a strong desire to conduct research or teach students as this is generally what this degree is used for. 

PhD Scope of Practice 

The scope of practice for a nurse with a PhD is tricky. Individuals can work as a bedside nurse, but unless they are a CRNP, they do not have any advance responsibilities or roles beyond a normal bedside nurse. 

Nurses who earn a PhD typically fall into two employment categories: nurse researcher and nurse educator. 

For a nurse researcher, typical duties may include:

• Identify research questions, and design and conduct scientific research
• Collect and analyze scientific data and publish reports detailing findings
• Write proposals and apply for grants to help fund their research
• Establish and maintain quality assurance programs to ensure the validity of their data findings
• Writing articles and research reports in nursing or medical professional journals or other publications
• Presenting findings at conferences, meetings, and other professional speaking engagements
• Train and supervise laboratory staff and other nurses or scientists

For a nurse educator who has chosen to pursue a faculty position at a university or college, typical duties may include:

• Plan, prepare and revise curriculum and study materials for nursing courses
• Deliver lectures to undergraduate and graduate-level nursing students
• Design curricula and develop programs of study
• Evaluate program outcomes
• Research and publication of scholarly work
• Participating in professional associations
• Speaking engagements at a nursing conference
• Writing grant proposals
• Writing or reviewing textbooks and other educational material
• Seek continuous improvement in the nurse educator role
• Advise students and perform many of the tasks associated with academic careers
• Grade students’ classwork, laboratory and clinical performance
• Mentor and advise students’ regarding their future work in the nursing industry

PhD Programs, Length of Time, & Classes

A PhD program takes a minimum of three years if taking classes full time. Most individuals complete the programs in five to seven years. The curriculum is between 45 and 70 credit hours. There is no direct patient care practicum but there is a dissertation. 

A dissertation is a requirement of all PhD programs and individuals must defend their manuscript during a presentation at the end of their program. The dissertation is a technical paper that is intended to show the growth of the student throughout the program. It includes theory, research, and experimentation.

Individuals should expect to take the following classes:

• Philosophical Perspectives in Health
• Scientific Perspectives
• Quantitative Research Design and Methods
• Qualitative Research Design and Methods
• Mixed Methods Research Design
• Grant Writing
• Measurement in Health Care Research
• Responsibilities and Activities of the Nurse Scientist 
• Leadership in Science: The Role of the Nurse Scientist
• Statistical Methods
• Dissertation
• Longitudinal Methods
• Integrated Interdisciplinary Research Practicum
• Intervention Research Methods in Health Care

PhD Admission Requirements

Requirements for PhD programs will vary but most will require the following:

• Graduate of an accredited Master’s in Nursing Program 
• A written statement of research goals 
• Research interests that match faculty expertise and School resources
• GRE scores are accepted but not required
• GPA of at least 3.0 or higher in the Master’s program
• Interview with faculty (if moved forward by admissions committee)
• Writing sample (publication or graded paper)
• Resume or curriculum vitae
• Letters of recommendation (both academic and professional references)
• Copy of official RN license(s) 
• Nursing experience
• Application fee
• Official Transcripts (from all post-secondary schools)
• Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) if applicable 

Comparison: PhD vs DNP

Length of Program 

• PhD Degree:
  • BSN to PhD: 5-10 years
  • MSN to PhD: 3-7 years
• DNP Degree:
  • ADN-to-DNP: 5-6 years
  • BSN-to-DNP: 3-4 years
  • MSN-to-DNP: 2 years

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Average Salary

• PhD Degree:
  • PhD nurse educators had a median annual wage of $81,350 according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics as of May 2018.
  • According to Payscale, nurse researchers earned an average salary of $81,500.
• DNP Degree:
  • Healthcare salary trends suspect DNPs average $125,000 to $150,000 per year. This ultimately depends on the place of employment.

Job Opportunities

• PhD Degree:
  • The greatest need for PhD prepared nurses is in academia. According to 2018, Special Survey on Vacant Faculty Positions 1,715 faculty vacancies was identified. There is also a need for 138 additional positions to fit the current demand. 
• DNP Degree:
  • According to the AACN, the biggest opportunity for DNP individuals is also in academia. The data show a national nurse faculty vacancy rate of 7.9%. Most of the vacancies (90.7%) were faculty positions requiring or preferring a doctoral degree.

Certification

• PhD Degree:
  • Renewal: None
• DNP Degree:
  • Renewal: 5 years. Retake the exam or provide proof of at least 1,000 clinical practice hours and 75 CE unit

Work Environments

• PhD Degree:
  • Colleges & Universities
  • Research facility
  • Hospital
  • Medical laboratory
  • Government agency
• DNP Degree:
  • Universities
  • Public Health Offices
  • Hospitals
  • Specialty Practices
  • Autonomous Practices
  • Health Care Administration Settings
  • Health Care Policy Advocacy Organizations

Career Options after Graduation

• PhD Degree:
  • Nursing researcher
  • Health policy positions
  • Nursing faculty positions
• DNP Degree:
  • Leadership in nursing practice
  • Management positions
  • Healthcare policy, administration, or government positions
  • Academia in practice-based nursing programs