BS-PhD programs in nursing: where are we now?

Aim: To describe the state of development of bachelor's-to-doctoral-degree nursing programs and provide baseline data for future research exploring program outcomes.

Background: BS-PhD programs were developed to address a shortage of nurse scientists and educators by decreasing the time from initial baccalaureate degree to PhD credentialing.

Method: A random sample of BS-PhD program directors was selected. Interviews were conducted by phone using a semistructured questionnaire designed to capture both quantitative and qualitative data.

Results: BS-PhD programs varied as to a number of characteristics, but several common themes emerged: their as-yet small impact, questions of innovation, unequal resource availability, and hope for the future and future challenges.

Conclusion: BS-PhD programs have the potential to increase the number of nurse researchers and educators. However, the programs reviewed in this study varied in their ability to provide all the recognized components of PhD education.