Mount Sinai Health System (MSHS) nurses enrolled in research doctoral programs (e.g., PhD, EdD, DNSc) may choose to conduct their dissertation research within MSHS. This guide is designed to highlight the resources available to nurses in research doctoral programs and the processes for obtaining approvals to 4perform dissertation research at MSHS.
Part I. Steps for obtaining approval to conduct your dissertation research at MSHS
- Consult with Nursing Education/Professional Development to ensure that the necessary agreements between the hospital and school are in place.
- Consult with the Center for Nursing Research and Innovation (CNRI) during the proposal planning phase of your dissertation research. While this step is not mandatory, it is highly recommended to help ensure that what you are planning with your dissertation committee will be feasible within MSHS.
- Submit your protocol for review by the Nursing Project Approval Council (NPAC). Please read our guide titled The Nursing Project Approval Council (NPAC): Who, What, Where, When, Why, and How to Submit Your Project for detailed instructions about how to submit your proposal and what documentation is required. NPAC will review your protocol after you have successfully defended your dissertation proposal.
- Submit your work to the Institutional Review Board (IRB). Please note that your dissertation research, by nature, will require IRB review following NPAC approval. For detailed instructions on navigating the IRB submission process at MSHS, please read our guide titled Submitting Your Project to the IRB. Please note that IRB review at Mount Sinai may occur before, during, or after your school’s IRB review, depending on the school’s policy and the nature of the protocol.
Part II. What resources are available to nurses completing their dissertation research at MSHS?
Your dissertation committee and school will be your primary research mentors for your doctoral work. This includes advising you on the proposal design, protocol development, literature review, writing, data collection, analysis, and publication. The CNRI is available to help students navigate the research infrastructure at MSHS and integrate their research within the health system. Please reach out to CNRI@mountsinai.org whenever you have questions about conducting your research at MSHS.
The following guides outline additional resources and support for students in doctoral programs: