career development in nursing
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Climbing the Nursing Career Ladder: How to Develop and Grow Your Nursing Career

Registered nursing is ranked among the top 10 best careers in health care, and part of that is due to the level of upward mobility that nurses can look forward to during their tenure. RNs can advance their salary potential and climb the nursing career ladder with compassion, hard work, continuing education, and dedication to the field.

If you are currently a registered nurse, however, you may be wondering: What can I do to grow my nursing career further? How can I develop my skillsets and climb the career ladder in nursing? What advancement opportunities will be available to me in the future? An associate degree in Nursing and an RN license is a great way to launch a career, but there is so much more you can do in nursing beyond bedside care.

So, where do you start? Keep reading to find out.

How to Advance Your Nursing Career

1. Set goals and make a plan to achieve them.

To grow in any career, goal setting should always be step one. Now that you have some nursing experience or training under your belt, think about what interests you most about the field. Is there a certain specialization you’d like to pursue in nursing, or a professional certification you’d like to achieve? Do you desire to take on a leadership role in the future, heading up a department or teaching new nursing staff? Or, do you desire more autonomy in patient care, making decisions and prescribing medications for your own roster of patients?

Once you establish where you’d like to take your career, you can then start to build a roadmap. Different advancement opportunities will require different steps. Some may require a bachelor’s or master’s degree, while others may require some additional coursework and certification exams. Some may just require more clinical experience in a certain area of nursing. Set goals, write them down, and do your research to see what it will take to advance in your role.

2. Build a professional network.

One of the biggest perks of earning an associate degree in Nursing and becoming a registered nurse is the speed at which you can enter the field and start working in a medical setting. RNs can start practicing in just two to three years! Not only does this mean a fast path to a paycheck, but it also provides the unique opportunity to start building professional connections with other members of the field. Take advantage of your position as a registered nurse – Nurture relationships with your manager or department heads, brainstorm with advanced nurse practitioners, ask questions during procedures, introduce yourself to physicians. Consider finding a mentor who can help you navigate the future possibilities of a nursing career. You might even connect with other nursing leaders over social media. Building relationships at work is synonymous with building a network of professionals who will support you when it’s time for advancement. Even in nursing, many job promotions are based on who you know (as well as how hard you work).

3. Be a leader.

On top of making connections with other medical staff, you can stand out simply by acting as a leader in your role. Take initiative when it comes to managing your case loads and treating your patients. Bring ideas to the table and ask questions when collaborating with upper-level nurse practitioners and doctors. And, when working with nurses who are less experienced than you, find teachable moments to help them develop in their career. Sharing your knowledge, supporting your colleagues, and adding fresh perspectives to your everyday role can help you earn respect and stand out amongst other RNs.

4. Be visible.

Asking questions, taking initiative, and leading by example are all great ways to make yourself visible in a department full of registered nurses. However, keep pushing the needle to stand out amongst the rest. Go above and beyond to show your dedication to nursing by attending meetings, networking events, educational conferences, and training opportunities. Participate in councils and volunteer services. Take on extra responsibilities to show you’re capable of more complex tasks. Any opportunity to put yourself in front of more eyes – and more decision-makers – is a great way to make a positive impression and position yourself for advancement.

5. Advance your education.

If you want to stand out, grow your skills, expand your knowledge, and truly advance your nursing career, consider going back to school for a bachelor’s or master’s degree in Nursing. If you have an associate degree now, know that earning a bachelor’s in Nursing (BSN) is becoming a new standard and expectation for advancement in the field. A bachelor’s in Nursing delves into advanced topics like research, leadership and management, policymaking, and public health, which can qualify you for upper-level positions in the field.

If you already have a bachelor’s degree in Nursing, however, you might consider taking the next step in your education with a master’s degree. There are various types of master’s degrees in Nursing, depending on your interests and career goals. A broad MSN program, for example, might prepare you for management and administrative positions in healthcare and public health. An APRN-MSN program, meanwhile, will prepare you for advanced practice nursing titles, where you can enjoy more autonomy in your career as a nurse practitioner.

 

Developing specialized skillsets can set you apart in the nursing field and open door for great advancement opportunities in your career. Explore Goodwin’s APRN – Family Nurse practitioner (FNP) or APRN – Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) programs today!

 

Again, before taking the next step and advancing your nursing career, be sure to do your research ahead of time. Knowing the requirements for that next promotion, or for your dream job, will help to dictate which pathway you will take from here.

6. Pursue a specialization or certification.

Professional certifications, in any field, showcase dedication and commitment – as well as expertise. As you look to grow your nursing career, consider pursuing a certification in a specialization that means something to you. Part of the beauty of nursing is that there are boundless opportunities to specialize in different areas, such as oncology, pediatrics, critical care, trauma nursing, pain management, and more. Professional certifications in these areas are available, allowing you to take that extra step in standing out from other RNs. On top of this competitive advantage, you will have a newfound expertise that can qualify you for advancement and increased compensation. There is no limit to the number of certifications a nurse can achieve. Learn more about some advanced RN certifications here.

Extra Tips for Continued Nursing Career Growth

Always seek opportunities to continue learning.

Nursing is a field that requires professionals to stay up-to-date on the latest treatments, research, and advancements in technology. As such, you should always stay on top of (or ahead of) the news and developments in the medical field. Look for ways to improve your skills and expand your knowledge in the industry through continuing education classes, medical conferences, online certification programs, advanced degree opportunities, volunteer opportunities, departmental meetings, and more.

Lead with compassion, empathy, and good intentions.

At the end of day, nursing professionals are caretakers. They are empathetic, compassionate, and dedicated to caring for patients in need. People who enter the nursing field are typically those who have a passion for helping others and who have good intentions in their hearts. As you continue growing in your nursing career, remember these facts – Remember what got you here in the first place. With busy schedules, long shifts, and difficult cases, it is easy for RNs to burn out or lose sight of what’s important. However, if you truly want to advance and climb the nursing career ladder, you must stay positive and continue to be a caring light for your patients. This will help your patient attitudes and patient outcomes, and in turn, help you stand out from other nurses.

Don’t be afraid to switch gears (or careers).

Although the nursing field is full of advancement opportunities (being one of the largest employment sectors out there in the U.S.), there are cases where an employer does not have a promotion available. You may have achieved the highest level of your RN tenure at your current employer, or they may not have an opening in an upper-level position. This can be frustrating and hard to grasp, but do not lose hope. There is an incredible need for skilled nursing professionals, and you can – and will – find ways to advance your career. Even if it’s not at your current place of work. Do not be afraid to change employers if you’re feeling stuck, or even change career paths if you’d like to break out of patient care. Nurses have many transferrable skills that can be applied to healthcare administration and other essential roles.

What are the Perks of an Advanced Nursing Degree?

New research from the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) found that nurses with a bachelor’s degree or master’s degree in Nursing have excellent job prospects after graduation. Compared to the 55% of new college graduates who were employed full-time after earning a bachelor’s degree, 96% of nurses with a BSN degree were hired full-time within six months of graduation. 95% of MSN graduates were also hired within six months of completing their master’s degree.

Overall, the average job offer rate in 2022 for nursing graduates was high, with an 84% job offer rate for new BSN graduates and an 82% job offer rate for entry-level MSN graduates.

This is because more and more employers are preferring to hire nurses with advanced education. According to the latest data from the AACN, close to 70% of employers are expressing a strong preference for BSN program graduates. At least 25% of hospitals and healthcare employers surveyed actually require RNs to hold a bachelor’s degree in Nursing today.

Grow Your Nursing Career at Goodwin

Nursing career growth requires a continuous commitment to learning and professional networking. For those looking to stand out amongst the 5.2 million nurses in the United States today, however, taking initiative to pursue a specialization, certification, or advanced degree can be the best next step.

The good news is that earning an advanced education is entirely attainable for the working RN. If you are a registered nurse and ready to make moves in your career, consider a flexible, online program that aligns with your career goals. Goodwin University offers an array of convenient nursing programs for RNs ready to take that next step, including:

Contact us online to learn more about these advanced educational programs.