Perspectives of Doctoral Students in Nursing in Georgia Annual Conference National Forum of State Nursing Workforce Centers June 10, 2015

Objectives Background Report the data – Describe important findings – To describe three motivators in pursuing doctoral education in nursing Discuss benefits and challenges – To identify three benefits of surveying doctoral students

Background SIP 1 grant – Priority: Increase the number of doctoral students Survey designed and disseminated spring 2014 Simultaneous collection of enrollment data from 2010 for baseline numbers Conversations with programs about recruitment and retention of doctoral students

GA Doctoral Programs SchoolResearch doctoratePractice doctorate - DNP Brenau University ✓ - 1 st class enrolled fall 2011 Emory University ✓ PhD ✓ - 1 st class enrolled fall 2014 Georgia College and State University † ✓ - 1 st class enrolled fall 2012 Georgia Regents University † ✓ PhD ✓ Georgia State University † ✓ PhD ✓ - 1 st class enrolled fall 2013 Georgia Southern University † ✓ Kennesaw State University † ✓ DNS Mercer University ✓ PhD ✓ University of West Georgia † ✓ EdD - 1 st class enrolled fall of 2012 TOTAL:67 † = schools in the University System of Georgia

GA Doctoral Enrollment School Research doctorate Practice doctorat e Brenau University-8 Emory University21- Georgia College and State University † -9 Georgia Regents University † 1396 Georgia State University † 277 Georgia Southern University † -20 Kennesaw State University † 11- Mercer University316 University of West Georgia † 27- Total:

Demographics - Age

Gender

Race/ethnicity

Select the University you currently attend:

Attend program full or part time

Amount students work

Financial Aid – per semester

When participants first considered pursuing a doctoral degree in nursing N=151N% While obtaining BSN % While obtaining MSN % 1 st year of practice 53.3% 1-5 years into nursing career 96.0% > 5 years into nursing career % Other When began teaching (8) After obtaining MSN/APRN (7) Life goal (3) %

Most important motivating factor to pursue doctoral degree N=151N% Personal development/goal9462.3% Career advancement4026.5% Advice from a colleague21.3% Job security106.6% Other53.3%

Factors important in decision to pursue doctoral degree at a specific school Importance:NotSomewhatVery Convenience Cost Location Opportunity to pursue a specific kind of research Opportunity to work with a specific mentor Prestige of school/program Quality of education Recommendation from a friend/colleague

Favorite aspects of doctoral education Learning/knowledge gain 37 Working with excellent/supportive faculty or mentors 25 Meeting and discussing with peers 21 Specific courses/program focus 21 Research 20 *Flexibility of schedule 13 Clinical work 11 *Change/impact students will be able to make 8 Personal growth 8 Applicability to real life 7 Development of writing skills 6 Professional growth 5

Most difficult aspects of doctoral education Balance (school, work, personal life)45 Time management24 Workload22 Faculty (push too hard, lack of support)12 Dissertation/project completion10 Distance/issues with online education9 *Writing (the amount of and/or difficulty of)8 *Research7

How many considered withdrawing: 56 (37.1%) Top three reasons why: – Difficulty balancing responsibilities (28) – Difficulty with faculty (13) – Disillusioned with the program (11) Top three reasons why they stayed: – Personal motivation (eg. “I don’t like to quit”) (29) – Already invested time, money and effort (12) – Faculty/mentor support (7)

Best ways to support doctoral students Responses fell into three main categories: – Finances Scholarships, repayment programs Maintain benefits from job – Scheduling Program flexibility for work schedules Work flexibility to attend school – Support Mentoring Faculty

How to recruit Responses fell into 3 main categories: – Finances Decrease costs/Increase support while in program Higher pay for nurses with doctorates – Awareness Among potential employers and the public about the value of nurses with doctorates Among nurses about different kinds of programs – Program factors More online options More flexibility

Key advice for new students Responses fell into three main categories: – Personal Motivation - know your goals Find support Be patient and persistent – Scheduling Organize your time Do not work full time – Program aspects Choose the right program and focus areas Understand program expectations

Why Georgia? The quality of doctoral education was as good as or better than programs outside Georgia % The cost of the program was as good as or better than programs outside Georgia % The schedule of classes fit well with my schedule2415.9% The location of the program was convenient to the location of family/friends 106.6% The location of the program was convenient to the location of my workplace 149.3% There was a specific mentor at a Georgia school that I wanted to work with 85.3% Other2717.9%

Factors considered “very important” in deciding whether to remain in GA after graduating Staying in GA (114) Not staying (12) Unsure (25) Location of research opportunities 20.1%044% Clinical practice opportunities44.7%25%52% Opportunities for further training (eg. postdoctoral training) 22.8%16.6%64% Prospects for employment75.4%41.6%88% Higher pay41.2%16.6%52% Better benefits32.4%16.6%48% Family/friends79.8%75%48%

In sum, most doctoral students: – Work full time, attend school full time, are enrolled in online programs – Seriously considered doctoral education during their MSN programs or after over 5 years of practice – Said personal motivation was the most motivating factor – Selected programs based on convenience, quality of education and opportunity to research – Enjoyed learning and working with faculty and peers – Found balancing responsibilities the most challenging aspect of their doctoral education

Challenges Ensuring questions are understood as they were intended – Pilot test! Simple inclusion criteria Future Directions Survey of underrepresented populations regarding perceptions of doctoral education

Questions? Feedback? Thanks! Rebecca Wheeler