How Penn Nursing's integrated BSN-PhD program is working to combat nurse scientist shortage

Philadelphia-based University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing was the first school in the country to offer an integrated "BSN to PhD" program and include a clinical nurse fellowship. The organization detailed the program in the Journal of Professional Nursing.

According to National Institute of Nursing Research data, only five percent of nurses, or less, have a PhD, allowing them to conduct independent research. This dearth of nurse scientists will only grow as the current crop of researchers reach retirement age.

The Hillman Program in Nursing Innovation, established by the Rita & Alex Hillman Foundation, developed the idea for an integrated "BSN to PhD" program that Penn Nursing then implemented. Penn Nursing received funds from the foundation for the program

Students in the program can become PhD candidates while they are in their undergraduate years. The program allows scholars to progress quickly, replacing specific required undergraduate courses with the graduate-level versions of the courses. Nurses can also enroll in core PhD courses in selected research areas during undergraduate semesters. Additionally, Penn Nursing included an immersive clinical nursing fellowship that involves a high-level of mentoring. The fellowship lasts for seven months and is offered in partnership with the University of Pennsylvania Health System in Philadelphia.

"Research shows that the average age of students entering nursing PhD programs is early 40s, which is far older than many other disciplines. This shortens the duration of nurse scientists' productive careers as researchers, educators and innovative leaders," said Madelyne Z. Greene, author of the article as well as a Penn Nursing doctoral candidate and Hillman scholar. "There is a compelling need for increased innovation in preparing new nurse scientists, leaders and innovators earlier in their careers."

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