Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41153074›Full record

ReviewJournal of advanced nursing2026

Nursing Doctorate Issues, Challenges and Expected Changes Across Europe: A Rapid Review and Experts' Opinion.

Alvisa Palese, Gülcan Taşkiran Eskici, Katerina Bitolkoska, Gaia Dussi, Gaia Magro, Chiara Moreal, Stefania Chiappinotto, Anna Pilewska-Kozak, Beata Dobrowolska

Abstract readReview
In one paragraph

Review in Journal of advanced nursing, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Review
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

9 authors.

Alvisa PaleseDepartment of Medicine, University of Udine, Udine, Italy.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3508-844X
Gülcan Taşkiran EskiciDepartment of Nursing Management, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ondokuz Mayis University, Samsun, Turkey.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8331-4897
Katerina BitolkoskaAzienda Sanitaria Friuli Occidentale, Pordenone, Italy.
Gaia DussiDepartment of Medicine, University of Udine, Udine, Italy.
Gaia MagroDepartment of Medicine, University of Udine, Udine, Italy.
Chiara MorealDepartment of Medicine, University of Udine, Udine, Italy.
Stefania ChiappinottoDepartment of Medicine, University of Udine, Udine, Italy.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4829-1831
Anna Pilewska-KozakDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynecology Nursing, Chair of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Medical University, Lubin, Poland.
Beata DobrowolskaDepartment of Holistic Care and Management in Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences, Medical University of Lublin, Lubin, Poland.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

aimsUpdating recent reviews and enriching the available evidence with expert opinions on the challenges and expected reforms needed in doctoral education across Europe.

designA dual design based on a rapid review and an online survey. DATA SOURCE/REVIEW

methodThe PubMed, CINAHL and Scopus databases were searched for studies published between January 2020 and June 2025 using the terms "PhD" AND "nursing". In parallel, an online survey with open-ended questions was distributed to a purposive sample of academic experts in each European country. Findings from the literature were juxtaposed and integrated with the data from the expert survey and integrated.

resultsA total of 23 studies and 26 expert opinions. Doctoral nursing education in Europe is facing seven key challenges regarding: (1) institutions and their structure, (2) supervision, (3) candidates, (4) research process and outcomes, (5) professional development and career progression, (6) international collaboration and (7) paradigm-related concerns. Six anticipated changes/recommendations were identified in (1) structural and policy reforms, (2) supervision and mentoring, (3) candidate recruitment, retention and support, (4) financial and institutional support, (5) professional development and career recognition, (6) collaboration and internationalisation. While some challenges and changes were confirmed by the literature, others emerged from the experts' insights.

conclusionsComplex challenges are faced by European doctoral nursing education, some under-researched as issues of supervision and candidate experience. Strengthening structures, mentorship and international collaboration is essential to align education with academic standards and healthcare needs. IMPLICATIONS FOR PROFESSION AND/OR PATIENT CARE: Efforts are needed at the European level to strengthen doctoral education in nursing to ensure well-prepared academic and clinical nurses. IMPACT: Findings may support in the development of more cohesive and high-quality doctoral nursing programs across Europe and inform targeted reforms. REPORTING

methodThe rapid review adhered to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines. PATIENT/PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT: This study did not include patient or public involvement in its design, conduct or reporting.

Indexed as

Education, Nursing, GraduateEuropeFemaleHumansMaledoctoral educationEuropenurse educationonline surveyrapid review

Identifiers

PMID41153074
PMCPMC13069255

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.