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The purpose of the doctoral program is to prepare scholars and
researchers in nursing to engage in knowledge development and
transmission in areas critical to the advancement of clinical
nursing practice. The program prepares nursing scholars for
a
lifetime of intellectual inquiry and cutting-edge research as
well as for academic or research positions. The degree awarded
is the Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.). The doctoral program consists
of four focus areas of inquiry.
Healing
The focus area of healing critically analyzes paradigmatic and
theoretical perspectives related to healing processes in individuals,
communities, cultures and organizations.
Risk and Resilience
Risk and resilience emphasizes theoretical perspectives, critical
analyses of measurement strategies, and applications in research
and practice across the life span. Biobehavioral Clinical
Biobehavioral clinical research focuses on the interactions among biological and psychobehavioral systems in nursing research.
In any of the areas
of inquiry, investigators can explore the physical, psychosocial,
cultural, emotional and spiritual components and tests nursing
interventions to improve patient outcomes. The work of a dynamic
group of
faculty
that explores innovative approaches to the care of persons living
with or at risk for HIV/AIDS is an exemplar of the research
approach
to the focus areas. Doctoral Research
The doctoral program at VCU prepares scholars and researchers in nursing to engage in knowledge development and transmission in areas critical to the advancement of clinical nursing practice. Within each of the three focus areas of inquiry - healing, risk and resilience, and biobehavioral clinical- doctoral students may choose to study these areas of interest: critical illness, chronic illness, and high-risk infants and families, and HIV/AIDS.
Interdisciplinary opportunities are available for doctoral students in the following research areas:
- high risk infants and families
- human lactation and parent education
- life threatening illnesses in adults
- adaptation in chronic illnesses in adolescents and adults
- health promotion and risk behavior in adolescents
- the experience of despair and inner strength in women
- spirituality in chronic illness or devastating life events
- changes in health status and quality of life in adults with chronic illnesses
For more information on School of Nursing research opportunities in these focus area, go to www.nursing.vcu.edu/faculty_research_index.shtml.
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