20 Best Online PhDs in Nursing 2020

Your RN license doesn’t have to be the end of the road for your nursing career. If you are more focused on the research or academic aspects of nursing and healthcare, one of the best online Ph.D.s in Nursing might be a great choice for you. These online programs are great for catapulting young nurses into specialty research and teaching positions in their field. There are plenty of excellent nurses and medical facilities all around the world, but there are far fewer nurses with doctoral-level degrees. Such a career path is an excellent way to make yourself stand out. What is an Online Ph.D. in Nursing? Online Ph.D. in nursing programs continue the specialized education that one can receive from a bachelor’s or master’s program in the nursing field. An online Ph.D. program is distinct from a Doctor of Nursing Practice program, as the latter is a more practical degree that leads to more opportunities in clinics or other medical centers. A Ph.D. program is research-focused. Put simply, a Ph.D. program in nursing will focus more on the educational aspects of nursing as a field and will teach research methodologies and theoretical nursing practices. Such a focus creates professionals who are perfect for research positions at hospitals and who are on the front lines of developing new nursing techniques and organizations. Most Ph.D. in nursing programs require about 60 credit hours, provided the student already has a master’s degree. In addition, virtually all Ph.D. nursing programs require the completion of the thesis or dissertation, along with a defense of the dissertation. Several practical hours of research or various clinical projects may also be required. Careers for Nursing PhDs Careers for those with a Ph.D. in nursing tend to diverge from traditional nursing occupations. Most graduates will become nursing researchers at medical research facilities, developing new nursing techniques and working with existing nurses to refine the field further. Others may take up positions in healthcare policymaking organizations. Such professionals will create legislation or rules for other nurses to follow to ensure better healthcare results in the future. Still more nurses with PhDs will continue in academics, taking nursing faculty positions at a university to teach future nurses. This being said, nurses with PhDs can still attain advanced nursing professions, such as nurse anesthetists or midwives. Additionally, those with a master’s degree or higher in the nursing field can become nurse practitioners. These advanced nurses work on teams with surgeons or other advanced positions to perform practical healthcare surgeries and other operations on patients. Nursing Salary Potential The potential range of salaries for nurses with PhDs can vary greatly depending on the exact position. Nurses who do not proceed into a research-oriented career can become midwives, anesthetists, or nurse practitioners. These professionals earn a median annual salary of about $114,000 per year. They also have an exceptional job growth rate of 26 percent, which is much faster than the national average. Other highly experienced nurses with a master’s degree or higher may become nurse practitioners. These nurses earn a median annual salary of about $109,000 per year and have one of the highest growth rates in the nation—31 percent per year. As life-saving surgeries are becoming more commonplace, the need for skilled assistants for primary surgeons is higher than ever. Finally, nurses with Ph.D.s who become medical scientists or researchers can expect to earn a salary of about $85,000 per year. The job growth rate for medical research is 8 percent per year, although certain research fields and institutions will have more open positions than others. Nurses who become faculty at a university can expect salaries of about $78,000 per year. Such a position theoretically comes with the opportunity for tenure and job security. What are the Best Online PhDs in Nursing? We know that you have educational goals that you’re itching to pursue, but you may not know where to start. The editors of CollegeRank utilize a unique ranking methodology based on the following three aspects: 40% Potential Salary After Graduation: Average mid-career salary of school alumni   30% Institutional Accreditation: Regional and National Accreditation for the 2019-2020 school year   30% Overall Degree Affordability: Average cost of undergraduate and graduate tuition per school At CollegeRank, we strive to do our best to guide you and your family toward a fruitful academic career. The pursuit of knowledge is a noble one, and we want to help you reach your goals. For questions, comments, badge downloads, or data corrections, please feel free to reach out to us at editor@collegerank.net. 1Indiana UniversityLocationBloomington, IndianaAverage Net Price$12,488More information The Hoosier State’s flagship university dates back to 1820 and has grown into a major player in American higher education. Niche’s 2020 grades recognized Indiana University with a No. 32 among Top Public Universities in America and No. 69 among Colleges with the Best Professors in America. The Hoosiers’ athletics programs have also achieved success, bringing three national titles in men’s soccer to Bloomington in the 21st century. Indiana University’s Ph.D. in Nursing Science allows completion of up to 99% of degree requirements through online courses. This 90-credit program includes courses on middle-range theory, biostatistics for public health, and the responsible conduct of research. Doctoral candidates also complete 16 credits of dissertation research with assistance from faculty advisors. The cost per credit for in-state students in 2019 was $578, with a $1,553-per-credit rate for out-of-state students. Undergraduates attending Indiana University can opt for the BSN-to-Ph.D. track to streamline their nursing education. The program also offers an MSN-to-Ph.D. with a 30-credit cap on transfer credits from other institutions. Every track requires two in-person sessions on campus during doctoral work, each lasting four days.