Respond to at least two of your colleagues in one or more of the following ways: Share an insight from having read your colleagues’ postings, synthesizing the information to provide new perspectives. Validate an idea with your own experience and additional research. Make a suggestion based on additional evidence drawn from readings or after synthesizing multiple postings. Expand on your colleagues’ postings by providing additional insights or contrasting perspectives based on readings and evidence. POST 1 According to Cleary and Hunt, (2011), recent studies have shown the majority of nursing doctoral candidates are female, clinically experienced, and in their 40s or 50s at the time of starting their PhD. Based on that criteria, this writer fits exactly into that criteria. It is noted that other disciplines tend to start doctoral training much earlier (Cleary & Hunt, 2011). As a practicing nurse of 30 years, most of it as an Associate Degree nurse the recognition of the PhD nurse was seen as a profession in a nursing league of their own. According to Michael and Clochesy, (2016), the PhD in nursing was predominant throughout the 20th century with members of the academic nursing community recognizing the need for the development of knowledge to inform practice and to promote the credibility of the profession. Nursing theorists such as Jean Watson and Patricia Benner were game changers in the industry of theoretical nursing. The ability in achieving higher levels of education and in conducting research are hallmarks of professionalism (Houser, 2018). This writer has a passion for teaching students and wants to be the best instructor she can be. She chose to go down the path of the PhD in Nursing education to increase skills and knowledge to improve what is delivered to students every day. The PhD is being pursued to separate myself from the growing amount of DNP faculty that she works with daily. Being an alumni with Walden University for the MSN, it was an easy choice to pick Walden University for the terminal degree. Michael and Clochesy, (2016), states the PhD and DNP represent complementary and alternative approaches to the highest level of educational preparation in nursing. PhD programs prepare nurse scientists to conduct original research and to generate knowledge that may be broadly applicable or generalizable using advanced research designs and statistical evaluative methods. Conversely, DNP programs prepare students for advanced specialty practice at a high level of complexity with a concurrent focus on the development of knowledge and skills required for translation of evidence to improve health outcomes and health care delivery (Michael & Clochesy, 2016). Michael and Clochesy, (2016), also states two of the main reasons for not completing a doctoral program are financial and family stresses. Strategic plans must include financial considerations (e.g., research costs), support systems and a systemic approach to the d.