Nursing

1. Departmental Mission and Research Vision

The Hellenic Mediterranean University (HMU) Department of Nursing has a commitment to excellence in teaching, research and practice in today's nursing and healthcare environments. The Department of Nursing aims to develop the next generation of nursing professionals; who will provide patient centered care; use evidence-based decision making; be professional leaders; be ethically responsible; and have the ability to work in culturally competent ways as they navigate increasingly complex health systems. In addition to these foundational elements, the Department also focuses on providing students with the necessary skills to integrate scientific bases for practice, the application of clinical expertise and the development of research literacy to impact patient outcomes, community well-being and health policy. 

Doctoral studies build upon this mission by educating scholars who will continue to advance the field of nursing science through original research, influence the design and operation of health systems and inform national and international public policies. As part of their educational experience, doctoral candidates are engaged in research that relates to clinical practice, health services research, patient safety, the management of chronic diseases and population health.

2. Programme Structure and Progression

The PhD in Nursing Science at HMU is a research-intensive programme structured in accordance with national doctoral education frameworks and HMU’s internal regulations..

Admissions & Eligibility

Doctoral admission is competitive and typically requires:

• A Master’s degree in Nursing Science or a closely related health discipline (public health, health services management, clinical science).

• Academic and professional records demonstrating research potential.

• A well-articulated doctoral research proposal outlining research aims, theoretical framing, methodology, and expected contribution.

Prerequisites may also include evidence of clinical experience, professional licensure where relevant, and English proficiency for international scholarship.

Duration & Requirements

The programme usually takes a minimum of three (3) academic years of full-time study, with flexibility to extend up to six (6) years to accommodate extensive research, part-time commitments, or professional obligations. Part-time study options support working practitioners pursuing advanced research.

The PhD is primarily structured as independent doctoral research. Candidates undertake rigorous inquiry under the guidance of a doctoral supervisory committee, which includes faculty mentors with aligned expertise. Regular reviews of progress, research seminars, and structured feedback ensure scholarly standards are upheld.

The culminating requirement is the doctoral dissertation—an original research document that must demonstrate a substantive and novel contribution to nursing science. Upon completing the dissertation, candidates must successfully defend their research before an expert panel in a public defense..

3. Academic Domains and Research Focus Areas

The PhD programme supports research across a broad array of domains critical to advances in nursing care and health systems. These include:

Health Services Research & Policy

Research may focus on models of care, health system performance, access and equity, patient-centred outcomes, resource allocation, and health policy evaluation. This domain emphasises the intersection of nursing practice with organisational and system-level efficiency and reform.

Clinical Nursing Science & Evidence-Based Practice

This domain explores research into clinical interventions, care protocols, patient safety, symptom management, chronic disease outcomes, and evidence-based practice frameworks. Candidates may investigate interventional efficacy, clinical best practices, and translational care strategies that improve patient well-being.

Population Health & Community Nursing

Doctoral research may address public health issues such as prevention, health promotion, community resilience, ageing populations, mental health, and social determinants of health. Studies often focus on community-based interventions, epidemiological trends, and health education strategies.

Nursing Education & Workforce Development

Research here examines pedagogical strategies, curriculum design, competency development, interdisciplinary training, and workforce issues in nursing education. Doctoral projects might investigate learning outcomes, simulation in training, or professional pathways.

By supporting these interlinked domains, the programme encourages interdisciplinary perspectives that bridge practice, policy, education, and innovation.

4. Research Integration, Facilities & Professional Engagement

Doctoral candidates are integrated into the Department’s research ecosystem, which includes access to research laboratories, clinical simulation facilities, community engaged research spaces, and digital analysis platforms. These resources support empirical data collection, advanced qualitative and quantitative analysis, and translational research that spans clinical, community, and policy arenas.

The Department hosts research laboratories focused on evidence synthesis, experimental practice, and advanced health analytics. Candidates are encouraged to use modern research software for statistical modelling, qualitative data analysis, health informatics, and mixed-methods inquiry.

Engagement with professional networks, academic conferences, and publication outlets is strongly supported. Doctoral candidates are encouraged to present their findings at national and international venues, contribute to peer-reviewed journals, and participate in cross-institutional research initiatives. Collaborative projects with hospitals, public health agencies, NGOs, and international partners extend the scope and impact of doctoral research.

5. Graduate Outcomes and Professional Preparation

The graduates of the PhD in Nursing Science are prepared to:

• Conduct independent, original research that advances theoretical frameworks and empirical understanding in nursing science.

• Design rigorous research methodologies, including quantitative, qualitative, and mixed designs.

• Analyse, interpret, and integrate complex data to derive evidence-based conclusions.

• Communicate research findings effectively to academic, clinical, policy, and community audiences.

• Demonstrate ethical research conduct and professional responsibility in all aspects of scholarly activity.

• Lead multidisciplinary collaborations and influence healthcare practice, policy, and education.

Professional Pathways & Impact

PhD graduates are qualified to enter careers in research and academic organizations as researchers, academics or scholarly leaders. Graduates with a PhD will be able to take on a senior role in research within health systems, public health organizations, policy think tanks, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and international agencies focused on global health issues.
Academic career paths that PhD graduates may choose include teaching future nursing professionals, developing curricula, and influencing the body of literature in health sciences. The clinical and policy fields offer opportunities for PhD holders to use their expertise to inform evidence-based practice, lead quality improvement projects, and develop policies based on evidence. Through a combination of scientific knowledge and leadership skills, this program will ensure that all of its graduates will be capable of contributing to health systems, research communities, and society at large.