PhD in Nursing

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Data Snapshots

Below is a snapshot of the most current data available on the PhD in Nursing and other research-focused nursing doctorates. 

Infographic titled 'PhDs at a Glance' summarizing AACN's nursing PhD programs data. Highlights: 144 PhD programs, 1 Doctor of Nursing Science, 5 Doctor of Education (EdD), and 8 PhD/DNP programs. Enrollments total 4,077 with 787 graduations. Of 4,049 applications received, 2,870 met admission requirements and 500 qualified applicants were turned away.

References

Below is a sampling of articles and research studies that address contemporary issues on PhD nursing education. Please send suggested additions to this reference sheet to rrosseter@aacnnursing.org.

Halabicky, O. M., & Porat-Dahlerbruch, J. (2026). What We Know—and Need to Know—About Nursing PhD Programs and Influences on the PhD–Faculty Pipeline: A Scoping Review. Journal of Advanced Nursing. 82(5):4134-4152. doi:10.1111/jan.70506.

Fongwa, M. N., Titus, S. K., & Ruccione, K. (2025). Declining PhD-Prepared Nurses: What Are the Solutions? Journal of Nursing Education, 64(7), 404-405. doi.org/10.3928/01484834-20250611-01.

Halabicky, O. M., Scott, P. W., Carpio, J., & Porat-Dahlerbruch, J. (2024). Examining observed and forecasted nursing PhD enrollment and graduation trends in the United States: Implications for the profession. Journal of Professional Nursing, 55, 81-89. doi:10.1016/j.profnurs.2024.09.006.

Broome, M.E., Georges, J.M., Vitello-Cicciu, J., Leaver, C.A., & Garcia, R. (2023). Current state and future recommendations for faculty in PhD in nursing programs. Journal of Professional Nursing 46, 111-118.

Cleary, M., Thapa, D.K., West, S., Lopez, V., Williamson, M., Sahay, A., & Kornhaber, R. (2023). Mentoring students in doctoral nursing programs: A scoping review. Journal of Professional Nursing, 45, 71-88.

Lee, M.A., Prevost, S.S., Scott, L.D., & Zangaro, G.A. (2023). Support for doctoral nursing students in the PhD program in the United States. Journal of Professional Nursing, 46, 223-230.

Weaver, T.E., Lott, S., McMullen, P., Leaver, C.A., Zangaro, G.A., & Rosseter, R. (2023). Research focused doctoral nursing education in the 21st century: Curriculum, evaluation, and postdoctoral considerations. Journal of Professional Nursing 44, 38-53.

Wood, R.E., Matthews, E.E., Bourgault, A., Rice, M., Hershberger, P.E., Voss, J.G., Loerzel, V., Henderson, W.A., Talsma, A., & Kinser, P.A. (2023). Strategies to strengthen nursing PhD enrollment: An ecological systems perspective. Journal of Nursing Education, 62(12), 669-678.

Munoz, L.R. (2022). Interventions to boost enrollment in nursing doctor of philosophy (PhD) programs. Nursing Outlook, 70(1), 166-192.

Fang, D., & Zhan, L. (2021). Completion and attrition of nursing PhD students of the 2001 to 2010 matriculating cohorts. Nursing Outlook, 69(3), 340-349.

Villarruel, A.M., Trautman, D., & Fairman, J.A. (2021). From vision to action: Next steps in designing PhD programs of the future. Journal of Professional Nursing, 37(1), 216-220.

Stanfill, A.G., Aycock, D., Dionne-Odom, N., & Rosa, W.E. (2019). Strategies and resources for increasing the PhD pipeline and producing independent nurse scientists. Journal of Nursing Scholarship, 51(6), 717-726.

Broome, M.E. & Fairman, J. (2018). Changing the Conversation about Doctoral Education in Nursing. Nursing Outlook, 66, 217-218.

Grady, P. A. and Trautman, D. (2018), Building Sustainable Careers in Nursing Science: Scientific Innovations and Transdisciplinary Collaborations. Journal of Nursing Scholarship, 50, 3–4. DOI: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/jnu.12353/full

Trautman, D. E., Idzik, S., Hammersla, M. & Rosseter, R. (2018). Advancing Scholarship through Translational Research: The Role of PhD and DNP Prepared Nurses. Online Journal of Issues in Nursing, Issue 66. Accessible online at http://ojin.nursingworld.org.

National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. (2018). The Next Generation of Biomedical and Behavioral Sciences Researchers: Breaking Through. National Academies Press: Washington, DC.

Fang, D., Bednash, G., & Arietti, R. (2016). Identifying Barriers and Facilitators to Nurse Faculty Careers for PhD Nursing Students. Journal of Professional Nursing, 32(3), 193-201. Accessible online at http://www.professionalnursing.org/article/S8755-7223(15)00120-9/pdf.

Breslin, E., Sebastian, J., Trautman, D., Rosseter, R. (2015). Sustaining excellence and relevance in PhD nursing education. Nursing Outlook, 63(4), 428-431.

Henly, S.J., McCarthy, D.O., Wyman, J.F. et al. (2015, July/August). Doctoral education for nursing scientists: Recommendations for Nursing Science Education from the Council for the Advancement of Nursing Science Idea Festival. Nursing Outlook, 63, 398-407.

Bednash, G., Breslin, E., Kirschling, J. & Rosseter, R. (2014). PhD or DNP: Planning for doctoral nursing education. Nursing Science Quarterly, 27(4), 296-301.

Bednash, G., Breslin, E., Kirschling, J. & Rosseter, R. (October 2014). Building the research enterprise in the academic environment: A view from the United States. Quality Advancement in Nursing Education. Accessible online at http://qane-afi.casn.ca.

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