STUDY OF THE PH.D.S' (NURSING) CURRICULUM PERCEPTIONS, EMPLOYMENT CHARACTERISTICS, AND ROLE IN THE NURSING PROFESSION.
Contributors: St. Louis University.
Published: 1987
Number of pages: 134
Subjects: Health Sciences, Education.; Health Sciences, Nursing.
Description: This study was designed to assist in the clarification of curriculum perceptions, employment characteristics, and roles in the nursing profession of the Ph.D. and Ed.D. (Nursing) degree programs and their graduates. After the pilot study, a questionnaire was distributed to randomly selected Ph.D.s or Ed.D.s (Nursing) from the Directory of Nurses with Doctoral Degrees, 1984.

Four areas found highly important in selecting a particular doctoral program included a doctorate in nursing preferred, interest in curriculum, university faculty, and close location. The curriculum content perceived as absolutely essential in a nursing doctoral program included research, nursing theory, concept formation, quantitative analysis, and computer studies. Little importance was given to clinical nursing, curriculum design, teaching/instruction, public/labor relations, and financial/budgeting. With the majority of graduates in teaching or administration positions, it appears these content areas would be of value. However, many of the respondents could have obtained this information at the master's level. If the majority of nurse administrators and professors agree with the above findings, a decline in quality of undergraduate teaching and planning may occur.

Employment characteristics showed most Ph.D.s and Ed.D.s (Nursing) found first post-doctorate positions in the teaching field, but a shift in responsibilities and professional activities occurred with their current position. Although teaching still showed the highest percent of employment in current positions, the percentage dropped. All other areas in the study increased with the largest increase in administration. Research encompassed 13 percent of the respondent's professional activities.

A large majority of the respondents felt professionalism was part of the nursing field and indicated a realistic view of their role and status in the community. The characteristics of socialization was positively reinforced in this study. The question of role being the same for the nurse who holds a doctorate in nursing versus a nurse who holds a doctorate in another field brought a mixed response.

The need for well prepared nurse leaders in education, research, and practice mandate professional socialization as scholars. This study clearly indicates nursing has begun to progress toward this goal.
Notes: Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 48-05, Section: B, page: 1292.

Thesis (PH.D.)--SAINT LOUIS UNIVERSITY, 1987.

School code: 0193.