Doctor of Nursing Science

Nurses who are looking to transition their career into a leadership position should consider a Doctor of Nursing Science. This program is offered at numerous school all over the country and online.

Those interested in applying for a Doctor of Nursing Science degree should be prepared to meet the following requirements:

• A bachelor's or master's degree in nursing
• Have current GRE or MAT scores
• Ability to obtain RN license in the state you plan on going to school

Nursing Science programs often offer courses that focus on research methods (statistical and analytic), theory, history and philosophy of nursing, leadership, and health care management and policy. The aim of these programs is to prepare nurses to take on a greater research role and have the ability to transform that knowledge into pragmatic change through leadership and clinical application. Pursuit of this degree typically takes four to five years, but depends on school, program type, and work load.

Areas of focus available to those pursuing a Doctor of Nursing Science degree include clinical nursing science, which focuses on prevention and early detection of disabilities and the enhancement of health and well-being for individuals, families, and communities. Another focus is health systems, which aims to create structures and resources that allow the achievement of optimal health.

Graduates of such programs could potentially find work in academia as both educators and researchers. However, these programs also prepare graduates to pursue work in hospitals and government agencies in roles such as administrators, consultants, and project managers.

School accreditation comes from different sources including the Commission for Collegiate Nursing Education and the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission, Inc. These organizations hold nursing schools accountable for the community of interest and evaluate whether each school is successful in achieving its mission.

A similar program nurses may be interested in is Doctor of Nursing Practice, which has a stronger focus in the clinical rather than academic aspects of nursing.