Current State of PhD Nursing Education in Four Countries: A Comparative Analysis

Abstract

Introduction: The academic preparation of nurses is crucial to meet the needs of the global population. Doctoral education is imperative for nurses to conduct research and to develop evidence-based practices to ensure that nurses contribute to the health of populations. There are considerable differences between countries in the PhD nursing programs offered. Objective: To describe the state of PhD nursing education in three West-European countries, including Finland, Lithuania, and the Netherlands, as compared to the Central-Asian Republic of Kazakhstan in terms of organizational structure, entry requirements, supervision, and the required competencies. Methods: A descriptive survey design was used, including a comparative analysis of data extracted from PhD nursing programs of universities in Finland, Lithuania, the Netherlands, and Kazakhstan. Results: Although the study showed similarities between the countries, like all countries offer research-oriented PhD programs for nurses, the following differences were identified: The organizational structure is different, as PhD nursing education in European countries is provided by independent nursing science departments chaired by a professor in nursing, while nurses in Kazakhstan can follow PhD education from other disciplines. PhD students in European countries have supervisors with strong expertise in nursing science and research, while supervisors in Kazakhstan are from other disciplines, lacking nursing science expertise. Conclusion: PhD supervisors’ lack of expertise in nursing science threatens the development of PhD education in nursing in Kazakhstan. Universities in Kazakhstan should develop independent PhD education for nurses with a focus on nursing and to strengthen the supervision of PhD students with well-qualified supervisors having expertise in nursing science. For Kazakhstan to meet the demands of tomorrow's health care, it is critical to develop a greater pool of PhD-prepared nurses with strong competencies in nursing, health care, research, and supervision, to educate a sustainable nursing workforce that contributes to the health and well-being of the Kazakhstani population.