Walden University launches research-focused online doctorate programme in Nursing

In response to the increasing demand for skilled healthcare personnel in Nigeria and across the world, leading online learning platform, Walden University, has launched its new online Ph.D. in Nursing programme for nursing professionals. According to the university, the programme will help nurses directly impact their practice as it is today as well as conduct cutting-edge research towards improving patient care in the future.The new programme joins Walden University’s Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) aimed at preparing dynamic leaders for the nursing profession.

Students in the programme will conduct original research that addresses increasingly complex healthcare issues, contribute to scientific nursing knowledge and help advance the nursing profession. Through multidisciplinary projects with other doctoral students from various health disciplines, students will develop the skills to lead or collaborate with diverse, cross-functional healthcare teams to promote positive change. Students can also develop advanced expertise in a focus area of their choice, such as Education, Healthcare Administration, Interdisciplinary Health, Leadership or Public Health Policy.

Speaking on the programme, the associate dean of Walden Uuniversity’s School of Nursing, Dr. Andrea Lindell, said: “In today’s complex healthcare environment, increasing importance is being placed on doctoral-level education to advance the science of nursing and the quality of patient care. Through Walden’s Ph.D. in Nursing programme, students can gain the credentials and interdisciplinary knowledge required to conduct research at the highest levels in their field, educate future nurses and also shape healthcare policies, systems and processes.”

Walden’s new research-focused doctoral programme joins the practice-focused Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) programme, which is designed to meet the critical demand for doctoral-level nurses who can lead and mentor the next generation of nurses. The DNP programme prepares nursing professionals to assume greater practice and leadership roles in healthcare organizations, promote a more effective and efficient healthcare system and evaluate and apply research that contributes to better patient outcomes.

Through Walden’s offering of both doctoral programmes, Nigerian nurses and their counterparts around the world can now choose how they wish to play a key role in leading advancements in hospitals, educational institutions, public policy organizations, pharmaceutical companies and other health-related settings.

Walden’s portfolio of degree programmes also includes the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) programme with specializations in Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner, Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, Family Nurse Practitioner, Leadership and Management, Nursing Education and Nursing Informatics and the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) Completion Programme.To help nursing and all other students achieve their goal of advancing their education, Walden is offering millions of dollars in grants, scholarships and tuition assistance when they start their programme in 2014.

For more than 40 years, Walden University has supported working professionals in achieving their academic goals and making a greater impact in their professions and their communities. Today, more than 50,000 students from over 150 countries are pursuing their bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral degrees online at Walden. The university provides students with an engaging educational experience that connects them with expert faculty and peers around the world. Walden is the flagship online university in the Laureate International Universities network—a global network of more than 75 campus-based and online universities in 30 countries, including Nigeria. Walden offers more than 80 degree programmes with more than 370 specializations and concentrations.