Nursing is a diverse and impactful career field. Nurses enjoy the unique opportunity to provide clinical care and emotional support while influencing the health of individuals, families, and entire communities. It is no wonder that despite the field’s many challenges, the majority of nurses report that they are either somewhat or extremely satisfied with their work.
There are many ways to thrive as a nurse and, as you embark on this career path, you may find yourself at cross-roads when deciding upon which opportunities are most compelling and most attainable.
Unfortunately, there is no easy answer. Many nursing career paths spark high job satisfaction and a deeper sense of meaning, but what seems like a dream come true for one nurse may be less ideal for someone else. We will explore these opportunities in depth below, along with the training and degree programs needed to reach various levels of nursing.
Exploring Nursing Career Paths
There is no one best nurse career path, nor is there one best degree or series of degrees to pursue. The sheer variety of options available makes planning both exciting and complicated. Understanding your goals could make decision-making a bit easier, but thankfully, there are plenty of opportunities to grow and adapt as you traverse the wide field of nursing.
No matter how you proceed, you could benefit from building a strong foundation with your associate degree in nursing (ADN) and by studying to pass the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX). From there, your path forward will depend on your academic and professional priorities.
Understanding the Nursing Profession
Nursing is unique compared to other career fields and even other roles in the healthcare sector as there are many levels of nursing and even more degrees and specialties. Most nurses serve the same basic function of providing patient care and acting as patient advocates, but how they accomplish this could vary dramatically based on their credentials and their job titles.
The Importance of Choosing the Right Nursing Career Path
Career planning could make a world of difference for both current and aspiring nurses. Choices made early on could have a huge impact years or even decades later. While nursing degree programs equip students with many skills transferable within the broad scope of healthcare, certain nurses may find it easier to secure certain positions based on their skills, education, and experience.
These choices may also play into the educational experience: degree timelines, work-school-life balance, and even financial concerns. Students need to find academic pathways that align with both long-term goals and short-term priorities or necessities.
Nursing Career Paths With an Associate Degree
An Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) prepares individuals primarily for roles as Registered Nurses (RNs). ADN-prepared nurses play a crucial role in healthcare by providing direct patient care in settings such as hospitals, clinics, and long-term care facilities. Their responsibilities typically include administering medications, monitoring patient conditions, collaborating with healthcare teams, and educating patients and families on health management.
ADN graduates are eligible to take the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) to obtain RN licensure. While ADN-prepared RNs may specialize through experience, significant career advancement often involves pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) or higher degrees.
Nurse Career Paths With a Bachelor’s Degree
A bachelor’s degree could open the door to a wide range of compelling career opportunities, including many RN positions. In some situations, securing a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) is crucial for becoming an RN or remaining in good standing.
There are multiple pathways to earning a BSN. While some nurses aim for this degree from the get-go, others may begin with their ADN.
The Life of a Registered Nurse
RNs hold more autonomy and, therefore, more responsibilities than CNAs and LPNs. Their duties may vary considerably depending on the patient populations they serve. This role places a heavy influence on clinical care and patient education. A typical day in the life might include these tasks:
- Obtaining patient health history information
- Assessing symptoms during physical examinations
- Administering medications
- Inserting catheters
- Starting IV lines
- Conducting diagnostic tests
- Collaborating with doctors to develop and implement care plans
Specializations Within Registered Nursing
Registered nursing provides plenty of opportunities to specialize, especially if RNs feel drawn to working with certain types of patients or within certain departments or facilities. Examples include:
- Pediatric nurse
- School nurse
- Oncology nurse
- Psychiatric nurse
- ER nurse
Nursing Career Paths With a Master’s Degree
Working as an RN could be rewarding, but many nurses feel drawn to advanced practice. This is when the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) becomes important.
The MSN is a highly respected, graduate-level degree intended to equip aspiring advanced practice nurses with leadership skills so they could move into management or specialty positions. This is often regarded as the minimum level of education required for working as a nurse manager or nurse educator. It is also crucial for becoming an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN).
Becoming a Nurse Practitioner
Becoming a nurse practitioner (NP) typically starts with achieving RN status through an associate degree in nursing (ADN) or bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) and passing the NCLEX-RN exam. Many RNs further their education by obtaining a BSN or entering RN to MSN bridge programs, which provide a direct path to a master of science in nursing (MSN). The MSN program includes specialized coursework in health assessment, pharmacology, and clinical decision-making, alongside supervised clinical practicum hours.
Alternatively, some RNs pursue a direct entry MSN program, which accepts students with non-nursing bachelor’s degrees. This path integrates foundational nursing knowledge with advanced practice skills, preparing graduates for NP roles after completion. Another pathway involves earning a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), a terminal degree that emphasizes advanced clinical practice and leadership. DNPs are increasingly valued for their advanced competencies in patient care, healthcare management, and evidence-based practice.
After completing their chosen educational path, aspiring NPs must obtain national board certification from organizations like the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) or the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). State licensure is also required, ensuring NPs meet specific criteria to practice independently and effectively within their scope of practice.
Other Roles for Master’s Prepared Nurses
While all Nurse Practitioners (NPs) are Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs), not all APRNs specialize as NPs. Many nurses with graduate-level training pursue diverse career paths, such as becoming nurse midwives, nurse anesthetists, or entering leadership roles like nurse managers or administrators. A master’s degree in nursing provides robust preparation for doctoral programs, offering opportunities to advance expertise in clinical practice, healthcare leadership, or research. Graduates can opt to pursue a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) directly after earning a BSN or after completing an MSN.
Nurse Career Paths With a Doctoral Degree
The field of nursing provides opportunities to pursue two main terminal degrees: the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) and the Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing (PhD). Both programs aim to impart nursing expertise, potentially leading to opportunities in well-compensated and esteemed career paths.
Understanding DNP vs. PhD
While the DNP and PhD both qualify as terminal degrees, that is where the similarities end. The DNP emphasizes evidence-based practice and, as such, is often referred to as the “practice doctoral degree,” while the PhD qualifies as a “research doctoral degree.”
Nurses graduating with a PhD are equipped to conduct cutting-edge research, contribute to nursing theory development, and pursue teaching roles in academic settings. On the other hand, the DNP prepares nursing professionals for diverse clinical and leadership roles. For instance, DNPs may specialize as nurse anesthetists, clinical nurse specialists, or healthcare executives. Some also pursue roles as directors of nursing practice or informatics specialists, leveraging their advanced practice and leadership skills to drive healthcare innovation and policy.
The Ultimate Goal: Chief Nursing Officer
Some ambitious nurses hold the lofty goal of becoming chief nursing officers (CNOs). This administrative position does not involve direct patient care, but instead focuses on compliance and budgetary matters. CNOs may also oversee recruitment or daily operations within sizable healthcare facilities. This role allows nursing leaders to empower medical professionals as they shape the strategic direction of nursing at the organizational level.
Alternative Nursing Career Paths
The opportunities highlighted above largely center around clinical nursing, although we have also covered several management and leadership positions. With sufficient training and experience, some nurses become eligible for other types of nonclinical or nontraditional roles. These do not involve direct bedside care but do allow nurses to continue advocating for their patients or for other nurses.
The World of Nonclinical Nursing
Many nursing roles call for clinical training and experience but may not actually involve clinical tasks on the job. For instance, nursing informatics is a growing niche that leverages information science to bring a data-driven approach to healthcare. Meanwhile, public health nurses draw on a wealth of nursing knowledge and experience to promote health and wellness within larger populations.
The Rise of Telehealth Nursing
Telehealth provides powerful opportunities to connect with patients despite geographical concerns or mobility limitations. Telehealth nurses rely on mobile and wearable devices to collect critical patient information and may also communicate over the phone or via video chat. These nurses commonly work for physician offices or triage centers but without interacting with patients in-person.
Online Nursing Careers
Telehealth opportunities are exciting, but often call for nurses to be physically present at healthcare facilities. Some nurses prefer remote or hybrid work, as this brings extra convenience and flexibility to the typical nursing workday. Thankfully, there are many healthcare career paths that align with these preferences, and not all are strictly administrative.
Opportunities as an Online Nurse Educator
Nurse educators are in high demand, especially as more RNs choose to go beyond their ADN and pursue BSN or even MSN degrees. Often, this involves online education, making it easier to juggle the demands of full-time nursing with challenging coursework; however, many colleges still offer the traditional on-campus option. Online nurse educators may accommodate the needs of busy working students by using a variety of materials and technologies to deliver an immersive and impactful learning experience.
The Growing Field of Clinical Research Nursing
Clinical research nurses play a powerful role in driving medical innovations. These professionals act as liaisons between researchers and subjects in trials or studies. Their work may involve interviewing participants, monitoring their condition, or reporting on their progress.
The Journey to Advanced Nursing Roles
There are no ‘easy’ nursing career paths, especially when seeking advanced roles. Rigorous coursework can be expected, along with difficult licensure exams. These obstacles serve an important function in providing thorough preparation for the realities of high-level nursing, which, while far from easy, could be deeply rewarding.
The SMART Goal Nursing Model
The SMART framework provides much-needed guidance for a variety of goal-setting efforts. In nursing, this often relates to career planning; instead of feeling overwhelmed, nurses can set realistic goals that encourage career advancement and long-term satisfaction. These goals should be Smart, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Timely.
What Does the Future Hold for Nursing Professionals?
Big changes are in store for the nursing profession and, if any one trend will dominate, it is the movement toward more credentialing and higher-level degrees. This will be an outright requirement from many employers and even in some states, which could implement requirements similar to New York’s BSN in 10.
Embrace Nursing Opportunities With Post
As you embark on a passion-driven nursing career path, look to Post University for training opportunities. We are here to support you as you pursue your vision of the ideal nursing career.
To help you achieve your nursing goals, we offer multiple undergraduate and graduate degree programs. As an RN seeking career advancement, you could benefit from high-level training via our RN to BSN program. The Master of Science in Nursing could set you on the path to becoming an APRN. If you are ready to take on leadership opportunities, consider seeking your Doctor of Nursing Practice. Get started today or reach out to learn more.
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Please note jobs and/or career outcomes highlighted in this blog do not reflect jobs or career outcomes expected from any Post program. To learn more about Post’s programs and their outcomes, please fill out a form to speak with an admissions advisor.