Seizing opportunity: Diverse early-entry nursing students' perceptions of seeking a PhD

Abstract

Background: The aging and retirement of the current nursing professoriate and the increasing numbers of nurses pursuing practice doctorates has precipitated decreasing numbers of nurses, specifically diverse nurses pursuing a research doctorate, thus limiting the development of nursing science.

Purpose: To describe factors influencing decisions about entering a PhD program from the perspectives of early-entry PhD nursing students.

Method: A qualitative descriptive design using semistructured interviews to explore the perceptions of making the decision to pursue a PhD in nursing of the students who participated in two early-entry mentoring programs.

Findings: A model, entitled "Seizing Opportunity" was developed from the findings about the process of students deciding to pursue a PhD.

Discussion: Motivators and detractors that can help nursing educators understand how to successfully recruit diverse PhD students were uncovered. Providing knowledge and mentoring for early entry students can increase the numbers of diverse students pursuing a PhD in nursing.

Keywords: Early-entry PhD students; Nursing science, Mentoring; Under-represented minority nurses.