ABSTRACT
This first chapter is primarily concerned with the content of doctoral education in nursing now and in the future. In addressing this, it is necessary to consider the context within which such education takes place and the wider emerging trends that may influence future directions. We have identified three issues: the content of doctoral programmes; the context within which they develop; and nursing as the field of study in such programmes. The links and interrelationships between these will influence the structure and processes as well as the content of future doctoral preparation.
