Three-year nursing PhD curricula content among schools participating in the Future of Nursing Scholars Program.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) Future of Nursing Scholars program (FNS) supported 45 nursing schools to create or adapt their PhD curricula to facilitate students completing a PhD degree in 3-years. PURPOSE: This analysis characterized the PhD program curricula of 45 schools. Differences in curricula were examined based on school characteristics. METHODS: Data were collected from five cohorts of school FNS applications. Summaries of curricula are provided and differences in curricula between schools were examined. FINDINGS: Most of the PhD programs (73.3%) were at very high research intensive universities. A median of 60 credit hours were needed to complete a 3-year PhD. Most programs (84.0%) required year-round enrollment, oftentimes inclusive of summers, and placed an emphasis on scholars pursuing additional coursework to meet the 3-year timeline. DISCUSSION: Findings highlight common elements of 3-year PhD curricula that can be utilized to inform the development and educational needs of future nurse scientists.