Evaluation of the Nurses Caring for Older Adults Young Scholars Program

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

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.

The Future of Nursing Education: Multidisciplinary Community-Engaged Research for Undergraduate Nursing Students

BACKGROUND

Undergraduate nursing students with research experience are more likely to pursue graduate education. Community-engaged research mentoring facilitates not only this process but also student engagement in topics such as cultural relevance and community partnerships.

METHOD

Two cohorts of undergraduate students participated in a novel yearlong multidisciplinary mentored research experience based in a predominantly Black community. A qualitative, descriptive study using semistructured interviews was conducted with undergraduate students to describe effects of a multidisciplinary, community-engaged mentored research experience on cultural sensitivity, acquisition of research skills, and intent to pursue graduate study.

RESULTS

Both cohorts of students demonstrated cultural sensitivity, acquired basic research skills, and had favorable attitudes toward or a definitive plan to pursue graduate education influenced by their participation in the mentored research experience.

CONCLUSION

This approach may represent a viable strategy for increasing the number of graduate-prepared nurses and reducing health disparities via the provision of culturally competent care. [J Nurs Educ. 2020;59(6):341-344.].