More than a few nurses dream of one day obtaining the highest level of educational preparation in our discipline, the doctoral degree.  It seems like a daunting task to even attempt such a feat; however, there are ways to make this journey more doable and less stressful.  Below I have listed 10 ways to ease the burden of doctoral education.  

• When you enter the program, find your commisserate buddy.  This should be a person who you find yourself drawn to in order to share your insights, perceptions, and complaints regarding the program.  This also be a symbiotic relationship where you both share commonalities in the program.  
• Know your resources.  Communicate with the health sciences librarian.  Know the registrar. Visit the dean of your particular practice area.  These are human resources that can making your life so much easier and productive.
• Networking is always good.  Although you can't attend every function, whenever you can, attend a luncheon, seminar, or meeting that you can meet someone new in the school faculty.  
• Read the student handbook first before asking a professor or your advisor regarding a school policy.  This will save you time. 
• It's great to know what is happening during the current semester, but always be thinking and planning ahead.  For instance, although you have an plan of study, is this doable?  Do you need to start thinking early about your practicum assignments? Do I need to spread my practicum hours over more semesters to be obtainable? When and where will you take any cognate courses?  Will my capstone project take more than a year to complete?  
• Never make "assumptions" about an assignment, ask the instructor for clarity.
• Always utilize the assignment "rubric" as a guide map to doing an assignment or project. 
• Know what your clinical "passion" is and then tailor your capstone project to this passion. Attempting to do a capstone project without this passion will be absolute drudgery and prevent you from doing your best work.
• There is no way you can possibly read all the course readings in every course.  Find readings that speak to you and "skim" the others.  You can also save course readings for another time beyond the course.
• Unlike our undergraduate program, do not get hyper-focused on grades!  Yes, most doctoral students still want to make all "A"s  but just remember, it's not about perfection, it's about completion.  

Good luck in your endeavor to achieving doctoral education in nursing and may your program be as intellectually rewarding as it is challenging!