A Career Path for the Curious, Committed, and Community-Minded
Are you a practicing nurse who finds yourself asking deeper questions about the “why” behind your work? Why do we follow certain protocols? Isn’t there a better approach? How can we improve outcomes for patients and communities?
If so, you may already be thinking like a nurse scientist. These are the questions that nurse scientists ask—and answer.
The Nurse Scientist: A Natural Next Step
Many nurses come to a crossroads after gaining clinical experience. They want to do more than provide excellent care—they want to transform it. They are asking questions for which there may be no answers yet.
If you’re passionate about:
- Research that drives innovation and improves care
- Teaching and mentoring the next generation of nurses
- Evidence-based practice that bridges science and bedside
- Advocacy for health equity
- And you’re fueled by curiosity and a desire to lead—
Then a PhD in nursing might be your next step.
What Skills or Experiences Do You Need to Become a Nurse Scientist?
PhD students may have a few or many years of professional nursing experience and come from diverse roles—bedside patient care, public health, nursing education, leadership, advanced practice, and more.
They’re united by a shared commitment to:
- Advancing nursing science
- Leading change in health systems
- Teaching and mentoring
- And addressing problems in health care through research and advocacy.
Many nurses are drawn to the PhD path because they’ve encountered challenges in practice or personal experiences that spark a desire to improve care on a broader scale.
Whether it’s dissatisfaction with the health care system, a family member’s illness, or a persistent “why” in clinical settings, these experiences often lead nurses to pursue research training to generate new knowledge that improves nursing practice and influences policy.
What Careers Do Nurse Scientists Pursue?
Graduates of PhD programs in nursing go on to make a global impact. Most take faculty positions at research universities, where they conduct independent and collaborative research, teach, and mentor future nurses and nurse scientists.
Others become clinical nurse scientists in hospitals, health systems, or industries like pharmacy—using research to solve system-level problems and improve outcomes. Some pursue administrative roles in health care or work in government and public organizations to influence policy and advocate for change.
Whatever career you might choose with a PhD, you can make a big difference in generating solutions to the problems you have witnessed.
Do I Need Research Experience?
If you haven’t been involved in research yet, that’s okay. PhD students can start with a strong clinical foundation and grow into research leaders. At UW–Madison, students learn to:
- Ask meaningful research questions
- Design and conduct studies
- Analyze and interpret data
- And share findings through publications and presentations.
By graduation, students complete an independent dissertation and are well-prepared for the next stage of their careers—with many securing jobs before finishing the program.
Listen to the experiences of UW–Madison School of Nursing PhD students and alumni.
Ready to Learn More?
Explore the possibilities:
- Visit our PhD program website
- Attend an upcoming doctoral program info session
- Browse our signature research areas
- Reach out to our admissions team
Your curiosity, compassion, and commitment can shape the future of nursing.
Original content from Kris Kwekkeboom, PhD, RN, FAAN, formatted for a blog post by Copilot and reviewed by Liz Fitzpatrick, Kris Kwekkeboom, and Patrick Stevens.