Degree options
Which One is Right for Me ... PhD or DNP?
Carefully read each statement below. Please rate each question by circling the number that best represents how strongly you agree or disagree with the statement. You may want to print out this page or keep track of your answers on another sheet of paper.
1 = strongly disagree
2= disagree
3= neither agree or disagree
4 = agree
5 = strongly agree
| 1. I am interested in being a leader in applying and translating research into practice. | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
| 2. I am interested in conducting research that advances the theoretical foundations of nursing and health care globally. | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
| 3. I am interested in gaining the knowledge and skills in applying and translating research into practice and leading dissemination and integration of new knowledge in health care organizations. | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
| 4. I am interested in knowledge and skills in the theoretical, methodological and analytic approaches to the discovery and application of knowledge in nursing and health care. | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
| 5. I am interested in being a practice leader such as an advanced practice nurse caring for individuals or other practice leadership positions such as in nursing and health care administration. | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
| 6. I am interested in being a nurse scientist prepared for a career in research in academia or other research-intensive environments. | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
| 7. I am interested in an intense practice immersion experience with expert clinical faculty. | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
| 8. I am interested in intense mentored research experience with a faculty investigator who has an established funded program of research. | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
| 9. I am interested in doing a practice application-oriented final project. | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
| 10. I am interested in completing and defending an original research project. | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
Scoring the Questionnaire
Total the score for each odd numbered statement and then for each even numbered statement:
Odd numbered statements: __________
Even numbered statements: _________
Compare the totals. If the odd numbered total is greater than the even numbered total, a DNP Program may suit you best. If the even numbered total is greater than the odd numbered total, then a PhD Program may suit you best. If both even and odd numbered totals are very close, you may want to carefully investigate both types of graduate programs and reflect on your professional aspirations.
Daniel J. Pesut, PhD, RN, PMHCNS-BC, FAAN &
Marla
H. Zimmerman, MA, LCSW, LMFT
Questionnaire developed in 2009
For more information on the PhD Program, please contact: Marla Zimmerman, Coordinator of PhD Student Services, marzimme [at] iupui [dot] edu
For more information on the DNP Program, please contact: Debbie Grew, Graduate Advisor, DNP Program,
dgrew [at] iupui [dot] edu
