So I have been an RN for 12+ years, been in the medical field 16 years total. I have worked at the bedside, in hospital administration, and currently as nursing faculty at a local college. As I advanced my career, I also advanced my education (currently hold MSN/Ed degree). I am planning to return to school for a doctorate degree, but I am not sure which degree to seek. I honestly want to change the world-I preach this to my students every day. I try to live what I preach (and teach) but can't figure out where to go from here. I am interested political issues such as health care reform but don't know if I would enjoy working on healthcare policy-much less how I would even get a job...I have considered a EdD degree or a DP (Doctorate in Public Administration and Policy); EdD would work if I stay in academia (I DO NOT want to go back in the hospital for sure) but it won't help me if I decide to work on policy. The DP would benefit me either way but most public adminstration/policy positions require a PhD, not DP. I think PhD in Nursing might limit me from going into upper administration (college/university VP, etc). So I really need some help and guidance; I would love feedback from colleagues that have received their doctorate degree and how they have been able to use it to "save the world". I want to advocate for people regarding healthcare issues...but how??

I think Public Healh is the way to go. You can get a degree in that and make a difference locally. Or you can go to the peace corps administratively or contact the Bill &Melinda Gates Foundation. They are working hard to get rid of malaria! They migh hire a public health nurse .....

ps -I am currently studying for my MSN,Ed in nursing!

Wow, this is deep.  I took myself out of nursing a year ago.  However..........in the past 2 years we have sucked the soul out of our grandkids for future generations across the country.  All I do is feel we all need to do the best we can to save bucks, lower our personal debt, quit living beyond our means, and crap like that.  Hey, why not recycle.........seriously.  Lets be real .............  have some common sense maybe?  More md's are leaving out the optiion to treat medicare patients............no clue what Onamacare will pay for............we will opt out as long as we can keep out of jail 

I believethat education is really the key to improving health in this country.  I see insured and uninsure, poor and wealthy, all making the same mistakes.  We need to educate and we need to start with the children.  Children are more open to the education and more likely to incorporate what they learn into thier lifestyle.  It is hard to convince the middle age 100-150kg patient that they can improve thier health and feel much better by making better food choices and getting some exercise.  We need to educate starting at preschool and keep educating until they get out of school.  We need to educate through community outreach.  We did not develop the bad habits overnight and it will take a long time to change our trends.