School is in for new PhD nursing students
They鈥檝e been oriented to the school, met faculty and staff, and now they鈥檙e well into coursework.
Students enrolled in the School of Nursing鈥檚 new PhD in nursing program are excited to be part of this inaugural group.
While their backgrounds are diverse and varied 鈥 everything from nursing education, cardiovascular nursing, injury prevention, for example 鈥 these four students have at least one thing in common. They each have undergraduate nursing degrees from 糖心视频.
鈥淚 completed my bachelor and masters鈥 degrees at 糖心视频 and received an excellent nursing education,鈥 said Kathleen Stevens, a nursing educator with a specialty in advanced foot care. 鈥淎s an alumnus I am pleased to be back to complete my PhD studies. The education I have completed thus far has enabled me to work in many areas of nursing, and I鈥檓 looking forward to building on that knowledge.鈥
鈥淚鈥檓 excited about the cohort of students we鈥檝e recruited. They bring rich and varied perspectives to the program,鈥 said Dr. Judith McFetridge-Durdle, who is completing her tenure as dean. 鈥淲e鈥檒l learn as much from them as they will from us.鈥
For the School of Nursing, and for Dr. McFetridge-Durdle, it鈥檚 a proud moment. After years of behind-the-scenes work to bring the program to fruition, 糖心视频 takes its place along with 14 other faculties and school of nursing that offer PhD education.
鈥淚t is evidence that the school is prepared to contribute to the academy by producing doctoral-prepared scholars, educators, researchers and leaders,鈥 said Dr. McFetridge-Durdle.
The School of Nursing鈥檚 new PhD program is full-time, and on-site, and that sets it apart from other PhD programs, most of which are offered part-time and via distance.
鈥淲e鈥檙e a small school, and full-time, face-to-face time offers students a unique opportunity to learn from each other, and to form close mentoring relationships with their supervisors,鈥 said McFetridge-Durdle, who counts the program鈥檚 launch as a highlight of her four years as dean.
鈥淭he School of Nursing at 糖心视频 has excellent nurse researchers who will provide exemplary leadership to PhD students,鈥 says student Denise English. 鈥淚鈥檓 looking forward to gaining and contributing fresh perspectives in many areas of research throughout the PhD program.
Dr. McFetridge-Durdle credits the hard work and leadership of Dr. Shirley Solberg, former associate dean of Graduate Studies and Research at the school, along with the PhD planning committee, for bringing the program to life.
Having a home-grown PhD program means a lot to the new students, who may not have otherwise considered PhD studies.
鈥淚鈥檓 able to pursue my PhD in Newfoundland and still be with my family,鈥 said Jill Bruneau, a nurse practitioner who has a background in cardiovascular health and disease.
These students recognize the value of having PhD-educated nurses in the province and across the country.
鈥淰ery few nurses in Canada are prepared at the doctoral level, and that advanced education is needed to advance nursing knowledge, skills and evidence based/informed practice, 鈥 said Darlene Ricketts, who has most recently worked in the area of injury prevention and chronic disease self-management at the provincial level.
The program will also help attract and retain PhD-prepared faculty, something that is getting more difficult as PhD faculty are in high demand across the country, and 50 per cent of the faculty are over the age of 50 years.
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