Increasingly, nurses with a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree are seeking a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree. This subset of students may provide valuable insight for bolstering the PhD-prepared workforce, which is in decline.

The purpose of this research was to understand the essence of the lived experience of DNP-prepared nurses choosing to pursue a PhD degree.

An existential phenomenological study was undertaken, with 10 DNP-to-PhD students interviewed.

The DNP-to-PhD experience is about being On a Mission. The Nursing Hierarchy was an implicit force influencing students' missions, and their experiences were characterized by five themes: (a) Having Needs the DNP Can't Meet: “I had to go back and do more,” (b) Considering Dreams and Circumstances: “Now's the time,” (c) Developing Confidence: “You can do this!” (d) “I've been very supported”/“I had no support,” and (e) “It had to be an internal drive for me.”

Study findings demonstrate profound effects of the nursing hierarchy on students' decisions as well as misperceptions that still surround DNP and PhD education and careers. Nursing academicians, organizational leaders, and researchers must address PhD program disinterest, intimidation, and imposter syndrome and improve messaging about both degrees.