Research focused doctoral nursing education in the 21st century: Curriculum, evaluation, and postdoctoral considerations

The AACN position statement on The Research-Focused Doctoral Program in Nursing: Pathways to Excellence was revised in 2022 by an AACN Task Force charged with creating a new vision for the PhD and similar programs in nursing. This document, which was informed by hundreds of academic nursing stakeholders, yields expectations and recommendations for PhD program curriculum, program evaluation, post-doctoral competencies, and resources. Results of an AACN 2021 survey indicated increased enrollment in PhD programs 2017-2000. Fifteen percent of students were enrolled in BSN-PhD, programs, 70 % of schools reported external review, and overall average time to degree completion was 5 years. Considerations for the education for the research doctorate include development of curriculum that fosters the scholarship of discovery and scientific inquiry and implements systematic evaluation of program outcomes while advancing postdoctoral competencies and resources, including the post-doctoral fellowship. Comprehensive assessment of the PhD program promotes ongoing program analysis and quality. Postdoctoral fellowships advance the science of nursing via the creation of a culture and workforce for nursing research. Successful postdoctoral programs have mentors, resources, and infrastructure to adequately enable the fellow to progress in their line of inquiry and develop as an investigator.