those with PhDs - please come in

mommaoftrips · February 2014

Hi ladies,

I have been seriously considering pursing further education and wondered, if you could do it over, would you still get your PhD or would you have stayed with your mastered. My area is sought after, so there would not be an issue with finding meaningful employment after.

I love research and teaching, so going either way would be fine with me - purely academic or purely research based once finished, although, I would prefer a mix of both.

What do you like about the area you work in (academia vs. research) and what don't you like.

Thanks.

mommaoftrips · February 2014

PhD is nursing

shannm · February 2014

I am also a science PhD (specifically biomedical science, ie. cell/molecular biology). Would I do it over again? Hard question. I would NOT do it if it meant starting now (I am 38) but I probably would do it again if I was 21, like when I started grad school. In retrospect, for me, getting my PhD was more than learning my specific field. It was an opportunity for me to move across the country alone, a chance to actually be intellectually challenged (my undergrad was not very challenging), and frankly, gave me some time to grow up a bit more than I was at the time. So because of that, it was quite priceless. Plus, I met my husband there.

Here is a brief synopsis of my training and career experience:

6 years to complete PhD. (no option for masters, straight from BS.)

5 year postdoc.

4 year senior research investigator in academia (ie. slightly better paid postdoc with some seniority).

<1 year in industry at large pharma.

As has been previously stated, it is hard to get into industry. But I lucked out and the right positions opened in a company that I didn't have to relocate for. I like it and it is clear that I have potential to move up over time. And yes, the pay is double what I was making in academia.

Could I have arrived at this place without my phd? Yes, I could have probably gotten into my current company, ironically, more easily, just after finishing Undergrad However, I would have eventually plateaued in terms of the career ladder, and it would have been lower than where I started with a PhD.

I do only research. I did enjoy teaching but decided I was better suited for my current role. Even though I don't officially "teach," there is a significant component of presenting and communication in my current position that allows me to stretch those muscles from time to time (there would be much less of this without my PhD). But I do enjoy having some days with my head stuck in a 384 well plate. It is a nice mix.

All that said…nursing is a fantastic career, at all levels as far as I am concerned. I could be wrong, but I bet that you would find it pretty easy to use your advanced degree to land a new job. In your position, I would consider the time that it would take you, the money that it would cost, and exactly what you want to do when you are done. Be aggressive and seek out some mentors who may be in positions that you are curious about.

Good Luck!

groovygrl · February 2014

Are you planning to definitely work in academics with your degree? If in practice you might want to consider DNP. If definitely academics, then PhD gives more options... depending on where you might want to work at a university, the doctorate could be a requirement to keep your job, each university is a little differnet about that based upon their emphasis on research & their resources. Some places have 2 tracks for doctorally prepared (you may know all this already, sorry if so)- clinical (no research required) and tenure (research required). Clinical track usually requires clinical practice in addition to teaching, so consider the schedule that might be associated w/ that- less flexibility but no research/funding requirements. I would make sure you really understand what is involved in being on the tenure track and also the opportunities near where you live and if you're willing to move, etc.

Outside of academics, I'm not sure if a PhD in nursing will get you anywhere much different than a Master's with experience, except very high levels of administration (for which a DNP would also be valued), or perhaps if you want to go into consulting in your field.

I don't have a PhD. I don't regret it, as after 8 yrs in academics, I know that the tenure track is not where I want to be.

If you already have an MSN, maybe try to get a job (p/t or f/t) in academics to see how you like the role, teh environment and the culture before committing to a PhD program?

ETA sorry I totally didn't address salary and see that in the below post... not sure what you do now or how much you make but don't expect much of a salary jump even after gaining tenure, and before you'll likely have a cut (again depending on what you do). Obviously if you are on a 9 or 10 month contract you can take that into acct w/ pay and add on extra teaching in summer or doing other projects or practicing, but just another thought in the equation, esp considering how much your doctorate might cost.

mommaoftrips · February 2014

I am in Canada - so we only have the PhD and not the DNP. I would say that my current role is within a professional practice department. I do a lot of teaching but to colleagues and not students but do occasionally do some undergrad one off sessions related to my specialty which is geriatrics. However, I am interested in how organizations put research into practice and would love to have more impact by doing further research in this area. I really like looking at research (lit reviews) and thinking critically about research methods but don't really have this opportunity within my role.

I know this is a personal decision and while I am very motivated to pursue more education I want to just hear other people's perspectives.

I really appreciate the ideas already put forth.

groovygrl · February 2014

Seeing your response, maybe explore a variety of programs that focus on implementation science or even health sciences research...just a thought, obviously you can focus on those things in a nursing program too..also to explore you could take a few classes to make sure you want to go the PhD route and it could lighten your load later...?

litzo27 · February 2014

My case is different - a Ph.D. in a business school discipline and not science so I won't post too much other than say that I don't regret it at all and academic jobs at business schools are plentiful if you are coming out of a decent program. I love academia - the research, the teaching, having the flexibility to set your own hours when needed. The downside is the pressure - I know I won't get tenured, 90% of assistant professors who start at my school don't. So once my clock is up I will have to move my family somewhere and it's hard to predict where the best opportunities will be.

Nita14701 · February 2014

DH just started a DNP program. He works full time and does the program part time. It's stressful for both of us. I keep telling myself that it will be worth it in the long run as he will have more job flexibility and salary increase with the ability to prescribe.

I on the other hand have no motivation to write my dissertation, coursework is completed. I'm in the social sciences. I honestly don't see the point to it other than finishing something that I started. I can't even bring myself to finish just to have the initials at the end of my name.

itsmevkb · February 2014

litzo27 said:

My case is different - a Ph.D. in a business school discipline and not science so I won't post too much other than say that I don't regret it at all and academic jobs at business schools are plentiful if you are coming out of a decent program. I love academia - the research, the teaching, having the flexibility to set your own hours when needed. The downside is the pressure - I know I won't get tenured, 90% of assistant professors who start at my school don't. So once my clock is up I will have to move my family somewhere and it's hard to predict where the best opportunities will be.

I do not have a PhD but have been with my husband throughout his long journey to get his in communications. I don't think it really compares to nursing but I do want to respond to the job prospects, etc. within academia with certain kinds of degrees. What we've found is that although you need the PhD for a tenure track job, many universities are hiring far more academic staff vs offering tenure track positions. Academic staff postions only require a master's and are paid less, so having a PhD actually makes you over-qualified for those positions. The tenure track jobs that do exist are mainly outside of our area so at the point my husband gets one we are faced with the choice of him not accepting or moving and for us moving means me leaving my career which I am not willing to do at this point. Our situation is just a big, huge mess and I sometimes regret that he ever decided to get his PhD and wish he had stopped at his master's. The flexibility he has is nice so I guess there's that. Sorry it hijack your post.

mirizzi&A · February 2014

DNP? Is that the same as a nurse practitioner? Just curious!

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