HELP: I need to know what is the highest degree I can pursue in nursing??

classicdame, MSN, EdD · Apr 7, 2009

The general ranking in degrees is Associate, Baccalaureate, Masters and PhD. Many advanced practice nurses have Master's degrees, but some have doctoral. But the PhD is at the top of the food chain.

Daytonite, BSN, RN · Apr 7, 2009

PhD or Doctorate. They are comparable, just depends on what the college wants to call the degree.

NurseNighting · Apr 7, 2009

from the way i understand it, the dnp focuses on learning to use research, while the phd focuses on conducting research. so, in nursing, if you want to do intensive/extensive research you need to focus on phd. programs. that being said you can be involved in research on some level in many programs including masters and dnp programs (sometimes even bachelor programs too i think), and this depends on what opportunities and programs exist at individual universities/colleges. this is a simplistic explanation so i encourage you to read some articles too that explain in more detail.

to answer your larger question, the terminal (highest) degree in nursing is a doctoral degree, and the dnp and phd are types of doctoral degrees.

you are smart to learn all this in the early stages of your career so that you can develop a plan. good for you!