FYI: http://www.boston.com/news/local/rho...rsing_program/

The University of Rhode Island has launched a doctoral program in nursing.

The program was created in response to a need for doctoral-level nurses as identified by the national Institute of Medicine. The institute said in October that highly trained professionals are needed to teach, to conduct research and to take an active role in policy making.

Currently only about 1 percent of nurses in the nation have doctorates.

URI program director Patricia Buchanan tells The Providence Journal doctoral candidates take courses including pharmacy, business, social and health policy and technology in medicine. It also requires about 500 hours of clinical work.

The program currently has three students, and Buchanan says she expects about 10 students to enroll for the fall.

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Information from: The Providence Journal, http://www.projo.com/