Opportunities for Advancement in Nursing: What Are Some of the Most Popular Advancement Options for Nurses Who Are Ready For More?
The potential for professional advancement is vital in any career, and nursing is no exception. Although you may feel stuck in your current role and set of duties, you have many opportunities for advancement in nursing that you may consider. However, choosing the right nursing opportunities is a complex process as there are many options, and the possibilities for advancement are also contingent upon your interests, needs, and objectives.
We will explore the what, how, and why of nursing career advancement. Let’s discover the most popular opportunities for advancement in nursing and the best ways to advance your career as a Registered Nurse. Before we find out what nurses can get promoted to and the next steps after an RN are, let’s examine why pursuing professional advancement opportunities for nurses is an excellent idea.
How to Advance Your Career: 9 Advancement Opportunities in Nursing to Consider
Advancement in nursing is entirely up to you – you’re in charge of the reasons for seeking advancement and the opportunities you pursue. We will look at some foolproof ways to advance your nursing career.
Advance Your Nursing Education
Furthering your education will play a significant role in elevating your nursing career. This is undoubtedly a big commitment. Returning to nursing school requires time, energy, and money – and committing to pursuing higher degrees is an important decision. However, your career opportunities will increase if you decide to take this step. Your current nursing level will dictate the education level you need to work towards. As a Registered Nurse, these are the educational tracks you can pursue to bring you one step closer to the best job for you.
BSN: If you’re serious about advancing your career, one of the most critical steps is earning your Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing. A BSN will make you a better, more qualified nurse. It will also open up the way for many more job opportunities and lead you to higher earnings.
Nightingale College’s fully online RN-to-BSN program is the ideal solution if you want to get your graduate nursing degree. We aim to advance your nursing skills and prepare you for advancement opportunities in nursing. And the best part? Our program is designed with working professionals like you in mind so that you can juggle school, work, and your personal life – all while working towards your professional betterment.
MSN: A Master’s of Science in Nursing allows you to pursue APRN roles, such as Nurse Anesthetist or Nurse Practitioner. It opens the door for more advanced positions in management and leadership. If a career in education seems more up your alley, an MSN is again the way to go.
At Nightingale College, you can access three different post-baccalaureate educational programs, for three different career choices: MSN Ed (for a career in education and nursing instruction), MSN FNP (for a role centering on family care and community health), and MSN MPHNP (for a job that involves treating patients with mental health and psychiatric conditions and issues). Each option combines online instruction with on-field preparations and in-person seminars to provide maximum accessibility to the best education so that you can advance your career in just 24 months.
DNP/PhD: In nursing, Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) and Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing (PhD) are the highest levels of education you can aim for. Earning either of these advanced degrees will prepare you for the highest nursing expertise. While they’re both terminal degrees, the scope of practice differs. DNPs are focused extensively on clinical practice, while PhDs have a research approach to nursing. They are both equally prestigious and demonstrate that the RN is an expert in their field. Should you get to this education level, it’s imperative to decide if you want your career to advance toward research or clinical practice and pursue your education accordingly.
Find a Mentor in Your Field of Practice
As a Registered Nurse, you will experience your share of situations where you aren’t sure what’s the best way forward. You’ll encounter tricky problems where someone else’s input will prove extremely valuable. Who would be better suited to guide you than a mentor? In nursing, mentors, along with their knowledge and expertise, are there when you require consultation and are desperate for advice. Having one in your corner will prove invaluable for your career track. A mentor will help you expand your professional circle and open you up to new opportunities. And should you need a professional reference for your next job application, they’ll have you covered.
Suppose you are interested in finding a mentor. In that case, you can look for formal mentorship programs offered by your employer or other professional nursing organizations. If that doesn’t work out in your favor, you can always try nursing blogs, ask your co-workers, or the HR office at your place of work if they know of any potential mentorship opportunities.
Get Certifications to Broaden Your Scope of Practice
Getting certified in one or more areas of nursing is a significant step toward a promotion. As you narrow your focus through specialization, you increase your expertise, making you more valuable on the job market. You can pursue many different certifications, depending on your nursing level. Some of the most common certifications you can get as an RN include:
- Holistic Nursing Certification
- Nursing Informatics Certification
- Psychiatric Mental Health Care Certification
Of course, you can also pursue certifications in a specific area of nursing that interests you. For instance, if you are drawn to working with infants, you can go for a Pediatrics Certification or a Neonatal Care Certification. If your interests lie in helping the older generation, an Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner Certification might be the way to go.
Find out more about the top nursing certifications you should consider.
Join a Professional Nursing Organization
As a Registered Nurse, always staying on top of your game is essential. Being a part of a professional nursing organization can help you achieve your goals more quickly. As a member of a professional nursing organization, you will significantly expand your professional circle. It’s where you can find a mentor or hear about new and exciting work opportunities. You can also find invitations and discounts to nursing seminars, classes, and conferences there. There are plenty of organizations to choose from – a little research will bring you closer to the one that’s right for you.
Develop New Skills and Continue Your Learning
Nursing is a dynamic field with constantly changing standards, requiring professionals to commit to lifelong learning. However, this is not only a commitment but also an opportunity for RNs. By acquiring new skills in patient care, leadership, technology, or specialized treatments, you can broaden your prospects and enhance the quality of care you provide, thus increasing your value within your workplace. Options include perfecting clinical expertise or focusing on improving communication, critical thinking, or cultural competence. These additional skills make you more versatile as a nursing professional, increasing your chances of career advancement.
If you aim to develop new skills and perfect your current ones, consider taking courses, earning certifications, or enrolling in advanced nursing programs. You can also find more information about continuing education in the nursing field and learn how to stay up to date.
Gain Clinical Experience in a Specialty
One of the surest advancement opportunities in nursing is to gain experience in a particular specialized field and start working in high-demand areas such as critical care, emergency room (ER) nursing, or neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) nursing. Gaining clinical experience in particular settings eventually opens up options to advance your practice in specialized roles and leadership positions. Thus, seek opportunities to shadow experienced nurses, cross-train in different departments, or pursue additional certifications related to your desired area.
Learn more about exploring different nursing specialties.
Attend Workshops and Conferences
Staying abreast and conscious of the latest developments in nursing is crucial in this increasingly dynamic environment, and workshops and conferences provide the ideal way to do so. They offer valuable learning opportunities, ranging from hands-on training using new medical technologies to discussions on trends in the nursing industry. You can also use workshops and conferences to network, exchange ideas, or gain valuable insights from leading experts in the field.
Conferences can also become a stepping stone for career growth, as many employers value nurses who take the initiative to stay informed and engaged with the profession. Thus, increasing your attendance at such events can also improve your nursing resume.
Learn how to write a good nursing resume, including the elements you should include.
Explore Research Opportunities
Patient care improvements can come from various facets, but they also hinge upon the ongoing research in the field. New findings come with the development of best practices while also shaping healthcare policies. And getting involved in research (by participating in studies or assisting with clinical trials, for instance) can be a meaningful and career-boosting step.
Many hospitals, universities, and organizations offer research programs where nurses can collaborate with medical professionals on various projects. The resulting findings improve the nursing industry while your personal experience enhances your resume and deepens your understanding of patient care and treatment outcomes.
Take on Leadership Roles (If Available)
Nursing leadership roles aren’t just limited to management positions: any nurse can attempt to take on more team responsibilities. Becoming a charge nurse, mentor, or committee member allows you to develop essential leadership skills like decision-making, communication, and conflict resolution. These experiences prepare you for future administrative roles or advanced practice positions.
If leadership interests you, seek opportunities to lead quality improvement projects, advocate for policy changes, or mentor new nurses. Taking initiative and demonstrating strong leadership qualities can help you stand out and position yourself for promotions or advanced career paths in nursing administration or education.
Learn more about leadership and management positions in nursing.
Advancement Opportunities for Nurses: 12 Jobs You Should Consider
There are many opportunities for advancement in nursing. However, with so many options available, advancement can mean different things for different nurses. For some RNs, Advanced Practice roles count as a promotion, while others see advancement as working less at the bedside. Some Registered Nurses may perceive management roles as the natural next step and the pinnacle of professional advancement.
That is why we will explore 12 professional advancement opportunities for nurses in clinical, academic, and management roles:
6 Advanced Practice Advancement Opportunities in Clinical Settings
Below are six career advancement opportunities you should consider as an RN or practicing nurse. All the options presented are Advanced Practice (AP) roles available in various clinical environments.
1. Family Nurse Practitioner
If you find that working with a broad array of patients from various walks of life to better the health of particular individuals and communities alike is the proper role for you, then you should consider exploring the role of a Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP).
FNPs deal with a broad range of clinical scenarios but with the added benefit of increased autonomy in their workplace. Although a longer list of responsibilities can be a burden for some, it can also provide variation to your daily activities and increase your satisfaction with your profession.
To advance to the FNP role, you will need to complete an MSN program with a specialization in family nursing practice.
Find out more about Nightingale College’s MSN FNP Program and advance your career today.
2. Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioners are advanced practice nurses who work in various clinical environments to help patients with issues relating to mental health and psychiatric conditions.
As an advancement opportunity, the role is ideal if you aim to specialize in these areas and have a passion for the subject. PMHNPs also have one of the highest MSN salaries in the current industry. If you want to pursue this specialty, pick an MSN program with the right specialization.
Find out more about Nightingale College’s MSN PMHNP Program and advance your career and education.
3. Nurse Practitioner
If having autonomy in your nursing practice is essential to advancing your career, becoming a Nurse Practitioner is the way to go. NPs are authorized to see patients without the supervision of a physician. They can order diagnostic tests, see and treat patients, prescribe medication, provide counseling, and more. Also, as a Nurse Practitioner, you can keep your options open and specialize in various fields of practice and roles while also securing a better salary.
Learn more about Nurse Practitioner salaries across the US and where you have the best earning potential.
4. Nurse Anesthetist
Is career advancement associated with a higher paycheck in your book? If that is the case, being a Certified Nurse Anesthetist (CNA) is the right choice for you. With an average salary of up to $214,200 per year, as estimated by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), it is at the top of the list of the highest-paid nursing jobs in the industry. The job responsibilities of a CNA include providing anesthesia and offering pre-op and postoperative care to patients undergoing surgical, diagnostic, or obstetrical procedures.
There is one inconvenience on the educational side: As of 2025, Nurse Anesthetists require a DNP or a DNAP to practice. However, the high pay can easily offset the comparatively more demanding certification requirements.
Read more about Nuses Anesthetist salaries across the US.
5. Certified Nurse Midwife
An advanced practice role perfect for Registered Nurses interested in providing a wide range of healthcare services to women is Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM). CNMs can perform gynecological exams, and their expertise extends to prenatal and postnatal care and family planning.
To become a CNM, you should pursue an MSN program with a specialization in nurse-midwifery. The option is also well-paid, with the BLS putting their mean annual salary at $131,570, despite there being a smaller number of currently working Nurse Midwives and an overall lower demand for the role
Find out more about the Certified Nurse Midwife salaries.
6. Clinical Nurse Specialist
Clinical Nurse Specialist is the last of the four Advanced Practice Registered Nurse roles available to RNs looking for opportunities for advancement in their field. Clinical Nurse Specialists are expert clinicians with advanced knowledge and training in a specialized area of nursing practice. Common specializations for CNMs include pediatrics, geriatrics, women’s health, oncology, and critical care. Their responsibilities include providing diagnosis, treatment, and ongoing management of patients.
3 Popular Non-Clinical Advancement Options for Nurses
The potential for advancement in nursing doesn’t limit itself to AP roles, which require extensive hands-on practice. You also can pursue positions that take you away from the bedside. Let’s explore some of the non-clinical options for advancement for RNs:
1. Nurse Educator
Nurse Educators or NEs (alternatively Nursing Instructors or NI) are among the most vital links in the nursing chain. Their responsibility is training the nurses of tomorrow, ensuring the upcoming generations of RNs are qualified and prepared to provide the highest levels of care. It’s a fantastic career option for RNs who love nursing and teaching and want to advance to a job that allows them to combine the two. You can read more about nursing vs. teaching positions.
To become a Nurse Educator, you should pursue an MSN program specializing in Instruction.
Find out more about the MSN Ed Program at Nightingale College and take the next step towards working in nursing faculty and educational settings.
2. Nursing Informatician
With technology and digitalization becoming progressively more ubiquitous in all aspects of today’s society, it’s no wonder the same trend follows in nursing. That’s why Nursing Informatics (NI) is gaining more ground as a field with tremendous potential for advancement. Informatics RNs act as the IT department's and nursing's liaison, ensuring that technology and data are used to provide the highest quality of patient-centered care.
3. Occupational Health Nurse
An Occupational Health Nurse (OHN) works to prevent workplace injuries and illnesses, promote healthy work environments, and provide care for workers in case of injuries or diseases. Occupational Health Nurses have a wide range of responsibilities, with their duties falling into one of four major categories: clinician, educator, manager, and consultant.
Thus, OHNs have to fulfill various tasks and responsibilities while also taking an active part in bettering workers’ health and conditions. You can become one with your RN licensure, clinical experience, and the appropriate type of certification from the American Board for Occupational Health Nurses (ABOHN). You have two options: the Certified Occupational Health Nurse (COHN) certification for more clinical-oriented roles or the Certified Occupational Health Nurse-Specialist (COHN-S) certification for administrative and managerial roles.
3 Advancement Opportunities in Nursing Administration and Management
Leadership roles often come with increased autonomy in the workplace and better pay but also a new set of responsibilities and tasks you will have to complete, and you should learn about nursing administration beforehand. However, if you are passionate about improving the goings on at your workplace and the quality of care provided by your team, these advancement opportunities are ideal for you:
1. Nurse Manager
Nurse Managers, also called Nurse Administrators or Nurse Executives, are responsible for directing, supervising, and leading the nursing staff in a healthcare setting. Their duties may include creating schedules, managing budgets, and dealing with personnel matters. As per their management role, they may also assist with developing policies within the institution for better performance. Nurse Managers are some of the best remunerated nurses in the industry.
Read more about Nurse Manager Salaries in the US.
2. Chief Nursing Officer
Chief Nursing Officers (CNOs) hold key leadership roles such as developing strategic plans with senior management and staff, advising on compensation, retention, and best practices, and ensuring nursing standards and improved patient outcomes.
They lead nursing teams, set goals, represent the department in board meetings, oversee recruitment and retention, and facilitate professional development. CNOs also implement new technologies, manage budgets, update nursing policies, and align daily practices with the organization’s mission and values.
3. Director of Nursing
A Director of Nursing (DON), sometimes referred to as Nurse Director, is an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse who fulfills leadership and administrative roles in a nursing department or the entire healthcare system. Their responsibilities include overseeing the nursing staff, ensuring efficient communication between different departments within the medical facility, and the overall smooth running of the organization. Additionally, Nursing Directors are an essential resource for others within the community. To become a DON, you must earn an MSN and gain nursing service certifications.
Why Should You Advance Your Nursing Career?
Advancing your nursing career has several benefits that can enhance your professional and personal life.
Chance to explore new roles and professions that suit you better:
One primary reason is the opportunity to explore new job roles. While working on the frontlines and caring for patients is incredibly rewarding, you may eventually feel the need for a change. Moving into advanced practice roles or specialized nursing fields can bring new challenges and excitement, allowing you to step out of your comfort zone and grow differently.
Salary increases based on advancing your education and career:
Another strong motivation is the potential for a higher salary. As in most professions, career advancement in nursing leads to increased earning potential. According to the BLS, Registered Nurses earn an average of $94,480 annually. If you earn your BSN, you can increase your annual salary to around $104,670. Comparatively, advancing to roles like Nurse Practitioner or Advanced Practice Registered Nurse can bring your prospective average salary to around $129,480 (based on data from the BLS).
Improvement of professional satisfaction and a more fulfilling role:
Improved job satisfaction is also a key factor. While nursing is fulfilling, it’s also physically and emotionally demanding. Long shifts, constant movement, and stress can take a toll over time, leading to nursing burnout. If you start feeling drained or unmotivated, advancing your career might be the fresh start you need. A new role with different responsibilities can reignite your passion for the field and bring back the sense of fulfillment that may have faded.
Are You Ready to Advance Your Career?
The numerous advancement opportunities are just one of the many selling points of a nursing career. New and exciting options will always await you on the next step of the professional ladder. And these options generally come with higher paychecks, better benefits, and increased job satisfaction.
Can you use your education to advance nursing? You sure can. Take that step today and mold your career according to your aspirations!
At Nightingale College, we provide numerous opportunities and learning tracks that can advance your education and take you further in your career. If you are currently working as a Registered Nurse but do not have a BSN degree yet, you can pursue our fully online RN-to-BSN Path that can help you advance your education and professional perspective within just 12 months.
However, if you are exploring options that require post-baccalaureate education, you can choose one of three options for your MSN education, each one preparing you for a specific career:
- MSN FNP – It gives you the preparation necessary to work as a Family Nurse Practitioner and provide quality care to patients and communities.
- MSN Ed – Ideal if you are considering an educational or academic career in nursing and wish to help shape the next generation of nurses.
- MSN PMHNP – It prepares you to work in clinical settings with patients suffering from psychiatric conditions and mental health issues.
All of these educational paths have a combination of online instruction, on-field practical preparation, and in-person seminars to ensure that you are receiving the best-quality education in the most flexible way possible.
These are only a few of the paths and programs we provide for aspiring learners. Explore the academic programs at Nightingale College and pick the one that best fits your goals!