Challenges and opportunities of doctorate of nursing graduates in clinical settings

From the past, nursing profession has encountered many challenges in its developmental process route. One of the update challenges is to recruit doctorates of nursing in clinical settings. The aim of this study was to describe Challenges and opportunities of doctorate of nursing in clinical settings.This is based on nursing lecturers and students (PhD) views. Methods and Materials:This is a qualitative descriptive phenomenological study that conducted with consent and participation of 10 nursing students (PhD) and nursing lecturers in Tehran nursing schools. Data gathering method was semi-structured written report with open ended questions. Colaizzi's method was used to data analysis. Lincoln and Guba criteria assessed to confirm data accuracy. Analyzing data led to 24 preliminary cods, 12 sub- categories and 5 categories. Emerging categories included; managing and organizing clinical settings, gap between theory and practice in nursing doctoral program, doctorate of nursing practice education, promoting and optimizing quality of education and nursing clinical services. Results revealed that doctorates of nursing should be recruited in their specialty and higher levels of nursing and their positions should be designed and clarified in clinical settings prior their recruitment. In regard to advanced services and evidence-based nursing delivery, it is better to educate nurses as doctor of nurse practice or professional doctorate.