There is typically no monotonic progression in the careers of nurses. Whether it is critical care or community health nurses, nurse administrators or nurse educators there are a plethora of pathways to navigate and opportunities for growth and development. And in today’s healthcare environment, nurses have more opportunities than ever to increase influence, increase expertise and increase earning potential.
The American nursing profession continues to evolve, with more specialized roles and more advanced practice roles than ever before that are in demand. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that nursing roles are expected to grow faster than average through 2030, including demand for nurses who pursue additional credentials and specializations. For those of you who are ambitious, this is an unprecedented time to consider levelling up.
For many nurses, the goal is to transition to leadership roles, develop expertise in roles that are in high-demand, or other non-traditional roles. Having a strategic approach to any of these pathways is important, and information will be helpful advice for nurses who are planning to level up.
Let’s explore some pragmatic starting points for nurses who are ready to advance.
Define What Career Growth Means to You
Before charting your journey for career advancement, take time to think about what career advancement truly means to you as it relates to your nursing practice. For some nurses, this advancement moves them up the traditional career ladder into increasingly challenging leadership roles e.g., nurse manager.
For others, advancement can mean growing in a traditional clinical role and developing deeper expertise in a clinical specialty area. Moving from a clinical role to a role in education, research or healthcare technology could also be a form of professional advancement for some nurses.
- Consider these important questions:
- Are you motivated by the element of compensation, the element of autonomy or the element of impact on patient care?
- Do you prefer working in fast-paced settings or more predictable and less volatile work ve?
- Are you more motivated by direct patient care or improving systems of care for patients?
As the adage states, “If you don’t know where you are going, any road will take you there.” Addressing the first step in your journey of scaling your career demands some journey destination definition.
Identify What It Takes to Reach Your Career Goals
Once you’ve clarified your professional aspirations, research what qualifications, experience, and skills are necessary to achieve them. This often involves:
- Reviewing job descriptions for your target roles
- Informational interviews with nurses who hold positions you aspire to
- Assessing any gaps in your current qualifications
If you were looking at a nurse executive role, you would see these jobs typically require further education, extensive leadership experience and commercial aptitude. Nurse executives are responsible for the entire department of nursing, they create and follow through strategic initiatives for the organization and contribute to organizational policy. High-level leadership roles such as nurse executive will require the use of advanced communication skills and effective leadership strategies toward navigating complex healthcare systems.
Build a Professional Network
In nursing, as in many professions, who you know can be just as important as what you know. Building a strong professional network opens doors to mentorship, job opportunities, and valuable career advice.
Effective networking strategies include:
- Joining professional organizations like the American Nurses Association (ANA)
- Attending healthcare conferences and continuing education events
- Participating in nursing forums and social media groups
- Volunteering for committees within your organization
Remember, networking is about building genuine professional relationships. As one experienced nurse leader put it, “The bridges you build today may become the pathways to opportunity tomorrow.”
Change Specializations
One of the greatest advantages of nursing is the ability to pivot between different specialties throughout your career. Changing specializations can reinvigorate your passion for nursing while building a diverse skill set that makes you more marketable.
Popular specialties in the US with strong growth potential include:
- Nurse anesthetist (CRNA)
- Nurse practitioner
- Informatics nursing
- Quality improvement
- Case management
Each specialty offers unique challenges and rewards. Transitioning between specialties often requires additional certifications or on-the-job training, but the career growth potential makes it worth the investment.
Pursue Advanced Qualifications
Education remains one of the most reliable pathways to career advancement in nursing. According to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, nurses with BSN degrees or higher typically have more opportunities for career progression and higher earning potential.
Consider these educational pathways:
- BSN completion programs for ADN-prepared nurses
- Master’s degrees in nursing (MSN) with specializations in leadership, education, or clinical practice
- Doctorate of Nursing Practice (DNP) for those seeking top clinical and leadership roles
- PhD in Nursing for research-focused careers
Also Read: The Benefits of Aftercare: What Happens After Treatment Ends
Final Thoughts
Expanding your career as a nurse takes both time and intention. Start by knowing what success looks like for you, and then build the knowledge and the connections to get there. Each step taken towards success is built on the last step you took.
Please don’t get discouraged if you take a different path with unexpected turns. Some of the best opportunities in a career come from saying yes to projects, roles or responsibilities, and before you know it, you’ve created a beautiful career path. Keep educating yourself, keep connected to mentors, and trust your experience.
The healthcare universe needs good nurses everywhere. And when you think through your career and plan for it, you can create a career as a nurse that is personally fulfilling and makes a difference for both patients and the profession.
