Producing nurse researchers with the potential to have long, impactful research careers is the latest initiative of the Byrdine F. Lewis School of Nursing and Health Professions. Beginning Fall 2012, the school welcomes the first class of Bachelor of Science to Doctor of Philosophy (BS-PhD) nursing students. This program provides a more direct route to educate nursing researchers. Only 4 percent of all nursing schools in the country offer this entry level to doctoral education, which is designed to attract the top, most highly-motivated nurses who want to pursue a career in healthcare research.“Graduating PhD candidates earlier in their career allow nurse scientists to develop expertise in research. There is time to participate in more than one post-doctoral research experience, more time for them to be mentored in academia,” says Ptlene Minick, associate professor and doctoral program coordinator program in nursing at Georgia State University. Dr. Minick’s publication may be found here.
