Exploring the Nursing PhD Journey: A Spotlight on Dr. Stephanie Orth

When pursuing a doctoral degree, the path is as much about personal growth as it is about professional advancement. 

Originally from South Dakota, Stephanie Orth, PhD, RN, has spent the last six years on the Oregon Coast, residing just a mile from the Pacific Ocean. Currently, she serves as a retention specialist and NCLEX/HESI Coach at Nightingale College, where she works with a team of colleagues to support  RN and PN nursing students and licensure applicants from rural, and underserved backgrounds.

Finding a Distance-Friendly Ph.D. Program

Stephanie Orth’s nursing journey began with teaching as an adjunct clinical and lab instructor for obstetric undergraduate nursing students. Inspired by her teaching experiences, she pursued her Master’s in Nursing Education. This decision laid the groundwork for her eventual Ph.D. pursuit.

In her 4th year as a nursing program specialist with the South Dakota Board of Nursing, Orth’s mentors—many of whom held doctoral degrees—encouraged her to take the next step in her academic journey. Their influence, coupled with her drive to expand her expertise, led her to UND’s Ph.D. program.

Orth selected UND’s Ph.D. program for its distance-learning flexibility and proximity to her then-home in the Black Hills. “If I needed to drive there to visit my advisor or faculty, I could get there in one day,” she explains. “…and I had heard positive things about UND’s program from my Board of Nursing colleagues.”

Researching Hope in Times of Crisis

Orth’s dissertation emerged from deeply personal and professional experiences. Initially inspired by her mother’s battle with terminal lung cancer and the concept of hope, she formulated a research question with guidance from her PhD faculty. “I had always had a passion for qualitative research and women’s health,” says Orth. 

Her research shifted during the COVID-19 pandemic, as accessing terminally ill women to do a study on hope was no longer feasible during quarantine times. She shifted to observing the challenges faced by rural frontline nurses and explored the complex dynamics of hope and hopelessness in their lives. 

Her study, An Exploration of the Meaning of the Phenomenon of Hope, in the Context of Hopelessness, for Rural Frontline Registered Nurses in South Dakota, North Dakota, and Minnesota during the COVID-19 Pandemic, revealed critical insights:

• Hope played a vital role in fostering strength, mobilizing resources, and building resilience.
• Snyder’s Hope Theory highlighted how agency (motivation) and pathways could be leveraged to navigate and intervene in future healthcare crises.
• Understanding hope can guide strategies to support and retain rural frontline nurses during future healthcare challenges.

Opportunities for Growth and Collaboration

The UND Ph.D. program not only honed Orth’s academic abilities but also expanded her professional network. “The program truly changed my life and my nursing career trajectory,” she shares. It inspired her long-term goal of writing a textbook on hope and agency for nursing faculty someday.

Orth has already begun sharing her expertise through conference presentations, including the Midwest Nursing Research Society (MNRS) Annual Conference, and is preparing a manuscript for a rural nursing journal. She also recently became a member of the Rural Nursing Organization.

Looking Ahead

After eight years working full-time, while earning her Ph.D., Orth says, “I have a fairly good handle on my new role and am currently focused on family, marriage, and life-work balance.”  

While she acknowledges the demanding nature of UND’s program, she believes its rewards far outweigh the challenges. For those considering a Ph.D. in Nursing, Orth offers words of encouragement:

“We need doctoral-prepared nurse scientists and faculty. If it is your dream to earn your doctoral degree, as it was for me, you can find a way. The UND program and faculty are outstanding and supportive!

As she continues to inspire and mentor others, her journey underscores the vital role of doctoral-prepared nurses in shaping the future of healthcare and education.

Take the Next Step in Your Nursing Career

Does Dr. Stephanie Orth’s story inspire you? 

UND’s PhD in Nursing program offers the flexibility, mentorship, and resources to help you achieve your goals and make an impact in the nursing profession. Explore what’s possible and make an impact! Start your journey toward advancing nursing science and transforming healthcare.