Developing a country's ability to produce nurses as well as grow research led by nurses is an important component of building health system capacity overall. For many nurses who see an academic or policy career path in their future, studying for a PhD is an important career step.
If your a nurse who wants to do a PhD in the United States (US), here's some helpful advice to make your application as strong as possible and answer some common questions applicants have when developing their applications. To begin, prospective students may wish to review previous blog posts I've written about applying for a PhD more broadly. These include choosing a program, family considerations, and finances.
One thing that is really important for an international student to understand is the difference between a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) and a PhD in Nursing. Faculty with a DNP and no PhD are not allowed to serve as primary mentors when obtaining a PhD. This is because most DNPs are not educated to conduct and design research. They may have other expertise that is a good fit to participate on your committee, but they cannot be a primary mentor. If you complete your application and identify a faculty member with a DNP as your primary mentor, you likely will not be accepted to the program because the admissions committee will perceive it as a poor fit.
Frequently Asked Questions by Prospective International Applicants for Nursing PhDs
Q: Do I need to take NCLEX-RN to get into the program?
A: Sometimes. The program should post that information on their website. NCLEX-RN is only important if you plan to stay in the US to work as a faculty member.
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Q: IELTS or TOEFL-IBT -what kind of scores do I need?
A: In English speaking countries, your language skills will make the program more easy or more difficult for you. Your spoken language and writing scores are the two most important scores on your overall test. Your spoken language score, for example, gives the admissions committee an idea of how well you will be able to participate in class discussions - a common teaching technique in US programs. Your writing score provides an indication of how difficult written assignments will be for you in the program. In both cases, anything less than the equivalent of a 6.0 on the IELTS will mean that you are more likely to struggle with completing program coursework.
If you do not get that kind of score on your first try, you can take the test again. Programs will consider your highest score on each section of the test.
______________________________________________
Q: Do I have to take the Graduate Record Examination (GRE)?
A: Yes and no. It depends on the program requirements. We know that these kinds of standardized entry exams have biases against students who come from countries that do not use standardized tests as a way to differentiate applicants. Many schools, as a result, are testing out waiving the requirement.
The most important part of the GRE, to be frank, is the writing section. Less than a 3.0 on the writing section weakens your application, especially if you have no other publications that go with your application (in English or your first language).
______________________________________________
Q: How much do my research interests matching with faculty matter?
A: A LOT! For example, if you want to study nursing education and optimal techniques for teaching, you want to go to a place that is known for that. If no one on the faculty does that research, then you are more likely to get rejected from the program. It's probably the single biggest reason why international students get rejected from programs.
______________________________________________
Q: What about funding to support my studies?
A: First, you need to know the cost of supporting a PhD student. Tuition costs can range from $12,000 to $35,000, depending on the program. Many students will receive a living stipend that ranges between $1,500 to $2,800/month for 9 months. Travel support to return home is uncommon and the student needs to provide funding for visits home.
There are a number of funding strategies for nurses seeking PhDs who are international students. Students who are self-supporting through scholarships from their home countries are, to be honest, more attractive applicants to many programs. Many high-income countries have scholarships available to support PhD study. Sometimes they are specific for nurses but what many nurses do not do is apply for ones that are more generic scholarships. Look for those because you may be the first nurse to apply for them!
Here are other options:
Q: Can I get a job in the US after I finish?
A: Many international graduates can get faculty and research jobs in the US after completing their PhD. The biggest limiting factor for most international students is that they are not eligible for post-doctoral fellowships--a hiring preference for top research university faculty. Many schools also require faculty to have passed the NCLEX-RN licensure exam. Finally, some states require faculty to have at least two years of work experience in the US to teach as faculty--especially if working for a public university. Since a PhD can take between 4 and 6 years to complete, your initial plans when you arrive to study may change. Always keep that in mind as you think about moving your career forward in the US or back in your home country.
If your a nurse who wants to do a PhD in the United States (US), here's some helpful advice to make your application as strong as possible and answer some common questions applicants have when developing their applications. To begin, prospective students may wish to review previous blog posts I've written about applying for a PhD more broadly. These include choosing a program, family considerations, and finances.
One thing that is really important for an international student to understand is the difference between a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) and a PhD in Nursing. Faculty with a DNP and no PhD are not allowed to serve as primary mentors when obtaining a PhD. This is because most DNPs are not educated to conduct and design research. They may have other expertise that is a good fit to participate on your committee, but they cannot be a primary mentor. If you complete your application and identify a faculty member with a DNP as your primary mentor, you likely will not be accepted to the program because the admissions committee will perceive it as a poor fit.
Frequently Asked Questions by Prospective International Applicants for Nursing PhDs
Q: Do I need to take NCLEX-RN to get into the program?
A: Sometimes. The program should post that information on their website. NCLEX-RN is only important if you plan to stay in the US to work as a faculty member.
______________________________________________
Q: IELTS or TOEFL-IBT -what kind of scores do I need?
A: In English speaking countries, your language skills will make the program more easy or more difficult for you. Your spoken language and writing scores are the two most important scores on your overall test. Your spoken language score, for example, gives the admissions committee an idea of how well you will be able to participate in class discussions - a common teaching technique in US programs. Your writing score provides an indication of how difficult written assignments will be for you in the program. In both cases, anything less than the equivalent of a 6.0 on the IELTS will mean that you are more likely to struggle with completing program coursework.
If you do not get that kind of score on your first try, you can take the test again. Programs will consider your highest score on each section of the test.
______________________________________________
Q: Do I have to take the Graduate Record Examination (GRE)?
A: Yes and no. It depends on the program requirements. We know that these kinds of standardized entry exams have biases against students who come from countries that do not use standardized tests as a way to differentiate applicants. Many schools, as a result, are testing out waiving the requirement.
The most important part of the GRE, to be frank, is the writing section. Less than a 3.0 on the writing section weakens your application, especially if you have no other publications that go with your application (in English or your first language).
______________________________________________
Q: How much do my research interests matching with faculty matter?
A: A LOT! For example, if you want to study nursing education and optimal techniques for teaching, you want to go to a place that is known for that. If no one on the faculty does that research, then you are more likely to get rejected from the program. It's probably the single biggest reason why international students get rejected from programs.
______________________________________________
Q: What about funding to support my studies?
A: First, you need to know the cost of supporting a PhD student. Tuition costs can range from $12,000 to $35,000, depending on the program. Many students will receive a living stipend that ranges between $1,500 to $2,800/month for 9 months. Travel support to return home is uncommon and the student needs to provide funding for visits home.
There are a number of funding strategies for nurses seeking PhDs who are international students. Students who are self-supporting through scholarships from their home countries are, to be honest, more attractive applicants to many programs. Many high-income countries have scholarships available to support PhD study. Sometimes they are specific for nurses but what many nurses do not do is apply for ones that are more generic scholarships. Look for those because you may be the first nurse to apply for them!
Here are other options:
- The PhD program provides tuition (only) and/or living support for you in the form of a scholarship.
- You borrow money to support your studies from US or home country sources. Only do this if you think you can pay the funds back if you have to work in your home country upon return.
- You save money for several years to support yourself during your studies.
- After acceptance, you seek out other kinds of scholarships. The school may be able to help you with looking for them.
Q: Can I get a job in the US after I finish?
A: Many international graduates can get faculty and research jobs in the US after completing their PhD. The biggest limiting factor for most international students is that they are not eligible for post-doctoral fellowships--a hiring preference for top research university faculty. Many schools also require faculty to have passed the NCLEX-RN licensure exam. Finally, some states require faculty to have at least two years of work experience in the US to teach as faculty--especially if working for a public university. Since a PhD can take between 4 and 6 years to complete, your initial plans when you arrive to study may change. Always keep that in mind as you think about moving your career forward in the US or back in your home country.
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