How To Advance in Nursing: Exploring Advanced Options

Two female nurses in professional uniforms review medical data on a wall-mounted digital terminal while one holds a medication bottle and a reference book.

Nursing is a rewarding career that offers opportunities for specialization and progression without the glass ceiling associated with some other professions. As more senior nurses retire, openings are created for junior nurses to step into leadership roles. This guide examines how to progress in a nursing career and the options available to aspiring nurses.

Steps To Advance a Nursing Career

Here are a few steps to advance a nursing career.

Identify Career Goals and Interests

Nurses should consider the nursing fields that inspire them the most, and set clear, specific, and achievable goals to fulfill their roles. Deciding whether to specialize clinically or pursue leadership, education, or advanced practice roles is crucial.

Research Educational Programs and Specializations

Nurses could explore degree programs, such as BSN and specialized certifications. Many programs are flexible or offer online options to accommodate working nurses. Aspiring nurses could also investigate high-demand specialties, such as critical care, NP roles, or nursing informatics.

Gain Relevant Clinical Experience

Treating every clinical experience as an opportunity to learn and network could give nurses an advantage in their field. Nurses should seek clinical rotations or assignments that will expose them to different areas of nursing and sharpen their skills. They could volunteer for challenging cases or departments to build expertise.

Pursue Continuing Education and Professional Development

Lifelong learning is essential to remain competitive and provide high-quality care. Nurses should attend workshops, seminars, and classes to stay current with the latest nursing practices. Certifications relevant to their specialty could enhance their resumes.

Network and Seek Mentorship

Nurses should build relationships with colleagues, supervisors, and professionals and find mentors who could offer guidance, advice, and support. According to Forbes, 80% of job leads come from networking.

Join Professional Nursing Organizations

Consider joining organizations such as the American Nurses Association or specialty-specific groups. Attending conferences, webinars, and local chapter meetings could help nurses connect with peers. These platforms could facilitate learning, promote advocacy, and offer career opportunities.

Develop Leadership and Communication Skills

Nurses may take on leadership roles, such as mentoring, joining committees, or shift coordination. Improving skills in conflict resolution, team management, strategic planning, and strong interpersonal skills is essential for advancing into management or executive roles.

Stay Current With Trends and Technologies

Nurses should aim to stay up to date with the latest technology, such as predictive analytics, artificial intelligence applications, telehealth, and remote patient monitoring. Learning about digital health tools could improve patient care and efficiency, adding value and creating opportunities for innovative nursing roles.

Why Pursue Career Advancement in Nursing?

Registered nurse with BSN smiling confidently, representing leadership and patient care in clinical nursing environments.

According to a 2004 study by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, there are nearly 4.7 million RNs around the world. Here are some benefits associated with advancement in nursing.

Greater Responsibility and Opportunities

Pursuing continuing education units or earning higher-level certifications could enable nurses to take on more complex roles with greater autonomy. For instance, nurses holding a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) could provide a broader range of services and make more independent decisions than nurses with only an associate degree. Registered nurses (RNs) wanting to advance could upgrade their RN into a BSN credential in as little as 17 months with Concorde Career College.

Greater Job Satisfaction

Taking on new responsibilities, specializing in areas of interest, or moving into leadership roles could lead to higher job satisfaction and engagement. Nurses who advance their careers often report a renewed sense of purpose. This may help combat burnout and improve morale.

Nursing Specialization Opportunities

Career advancement allows nurses to focus on specialized areas, such as critical care, oncology, pediatrics, or mental health. This could be an ideal way for nurses to pursue specific interests and values. Specializing in an area could help expand a nurse's expertise and improve patient outcomes.

Improved Impact on Patient Care and Health Care Systems

Nurses aspiring to make a significant impact in their field may find that higher positions give them greater influence. Advanced roles, including as nurse practitioners (NPs), educators, and administrators, empower nurses to shape health care policies, implement best practices, and improve patient care standards across organizations.

Professional Growth and Recognition

Pursuing advanced degrees or certifications could enable nurses to grow personally and professionally and increase a nurse's visibility and credibility in the health care community. Such recognition may lead to opportunities in leadership and policy-making positions.

Improved Job Security

As health care evolves, the demand for highly skilled and specialized nurses grows. Advanced education and training could provide greater job security and flexibility. For many, nursing is more than just a job; it's a calling. Advancing their training in nursing allows nurses to follow their passion and significantly impact their area.

Educational Pathways for Nursing Advancement

There are a range of options available to advance in nursing. One of the most rewarding choices could be the RN-to-BSN program at Concorde. At the discretion of the receiving institution, RNs could transfer a block of credits from their associate degree in nursing toward an online BSN degree; however, Concorde does not guarantee that credits earned will transfer. This program can be completed in as few as 17 months, depending on how many classes a student takes each month.

Specializations and Certifications

Specializing in an area of nursing or earning professional certifications could improve a nurse's career prospects. Over 150 nursing certifications and credentials across various specialties are available, including:

Critical care nursing: Focuses on patients with life-threatening conditions in intensive care units and requires quick decision-making and strong clinical skills
Pediatrics: Provides care for infants, children, and adolescents
Oncology: Specializes in cancer patient care, including chemotherapy administration and emotional support
Emergency room nursing: Provides care for acute injuries and illnesses
Long-term care nursing: Manages chronic conditions and supports elderly or disabled patients
Medical-surgical nursing: Manages diverse patient populations and postoperative care
Correctional facility nursing: Provides health care in prisons
Nurse midwifery: Focuses on maternal and newborn care, including pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum
Travel nursing: Offers flexible assignments across locations, often in high-demand specialties

Professional Certifications

There are various professional certifications nurses may consider, such as Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA), Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM), Certified Emergency Nurse, Certified Pediatric Nurse, and Medical-Surgical Registered Nurse. Many specialties offer dedicated certifications from nationally accredited organizations, particularly for Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs). These certifications typically require clinical experience and passing an exam successfully.

APRN Roles

APRN roles are ideal opportunities for RNs who pursue graduate-level education and specialized training. The scope of work for APRNs is broader, with greater independence in diagnosing, treating, managing patient care, and prescribing medications.

NP

NPs are often primary care providers who may assess, diagnose, and treat illnesses and injuries and manage chronic diseases. Employment for NPs is projected to grow about 35% from 2024 to 2034.

Clinical Nurse Specialist

Clinical nurse specialists provide expert clinical care focused on diagnosing, treating, and improving patient care. They may also mentor other nurses.

CRNA

CRNAs administer anesthesia and manage pain during surgery. They also develop anesthesia plans and monitor patients during procedures.

CNM

CNMs provide primary, gynecological, reproductive, prenatal, childbirth, and postpartum care. They focus on holistic care that addresses the physical, mental, and psychosocial needs of women of all ages.

Leadership and Management Opportunities

Leadership and management positions are advancements that allow nurses to influence health care delivery, policy, and education on a systemic level. Here are a few roles in the field:

Nurse manager: Oversees staff and the daily running of a unit or department, coordinates patient care, manages budgets, and requires advanced education, such as a BSN
Director of nursing: Manages multiple nursing units or an entire nursing department
Chief nursing officer: Influences health care policy through an executive-level role responsible for strategic planning and leadership across an organization
Nurse educator: Teaches and mentors nursing students and practicing nurses

Challenges and Considerations

A close-up portrait of a smiling female nurse in blue scrubs looking upward with a hopeful expression in a bright, modern healthcare setting.

Nurses pursuing career advancement must balance work, education, and personal life demands. Certifications take time and effort and may be expensive. Some specialized roles may even require relocation. New roles can be both rewarding and demanding, often requiring adaptation to increased responsibilities and accountability. Nurses are encouraged to look for employer tuition assistance programs, explore flexible education options, and develop strong time management skills to overcome these challenges. It's important to remember that maintaining a healthy work-life balance is essential in nursing.

Pursue a Career in Nursing

Progressing in nursing could provide opportunities for more income and advancement. Continuous learning and professional development are essential in a nursing career. If you're ready to move forward in your career, Concorde offers the opportunity to turn your RN degree into a BSN credential. Contact an admissions representative today for more information.

Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Outlook Handbook: Nursing Assistants and Orderlies: Work Environment. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/nursing-assistants.htm#tab-3
Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Outlook Handbook: Nursing Assistants and Orderlies: Job Outlook. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/nursing-assistants.htm#tab-6
Ton, J. (2024, August 12). Council Post: Networking: It’s Not What You Think. Forbes. https://www.forbes.com/councils/forbestechcouncil/2020/10/15/networking-its-not-what-you-think/

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Program length may be subject to change dependent on transfer credits and course load. Please refer to current course catalog for more information. Concorde does not guarantee admittance, graduation, subsequent employment or salary amount.
Professional certification is not a requirement for graduation, may not be a requirement for employment nor does it guarantee employment.
Financial aid is available to those who qualify but may not be available for all programs. Concorde does not guarantee financial aid or scholarship awards or amounts.
Clinical hour requirements and delivery may vary by campus location and may be subject to change. Concorde does not guarantee clinical site assignments based upon student preference or geographic convenience; nor do clinical experiences guarantee graduation, post-clinical employment or salary outcomes.
Registration and certification requirements for taking and passing these examinations are not controlled by Concorde, but by outside agencies, and are subject to change by the agency without notice. Therefore, Concorde cannot guarantee that graduates will be eligible to take these exams, at all or at any specific time, regardless of their eligibility status upon enrollment.
Externships are a non-paid in-person learning experience, whose length and location may be subject to change. Concorde does not guarantee externship placement, graduation, post-externship employment or salary outcomes.
Virtual externships are a virtual learning experience offered through Concorde’s learning management system. Concorde does not guarantee placement, graduation, post-externship employment or salary outcomes.

How To Advance in Nursing: Exploring Advanced Options