The roles registered nurses (RNs) play in keeping communities healthy and safe have never been more vital than they are today. In May 2020, the U.S. had nearly 3 million RNs, with an estimated 276,800 new jobs for RNs expected between 2020 and 2030, according to data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Nursing is the largest health care profession and one of the largest professions in all industries. For 20 years in a row, the Gallup Poll has named nursing the most honest and ethical profession. However, there continues to be a serious shortage of nursing representation on the boards of hospitals and health systems and in leading community health efforts. To capitalize on the rising need for nurses with advanced degrees, RNs should investigate the potential advanced nursing career paths available, and what it takes to pursue each one. Prospective nursing students should consider what type of nursing education best serves them and their career goals and how earning an advanced degree in nursing can benefit them.

Nursing Career Advancement

Today’s complex health care environment requires leaders at every level of nursing — from nurse managers at clinical bedsides to chief nursing officers in administrative boardrooms — to work together to meet the profession’s challenges. Nurse leaders are not limited to working in hospitals; they also work in scientific, technological, and academic environments. They play critical roles as liaisons between businesses, governments, and community organizations to ensure the most up-to-date and accurate policies and practices are employed by health care providers. Statistics from the BLS show that the more nurses learn, the more they earn, as higher education leads to more advanced and higher-paying positions. However, more than one pathway is available to nurses interested in those roles. Once individuals have determined the nursing career path they would like to follow, they must consider how they want to earn an advanced degree, what relevant certifications they wish to pursue and what leadership roles are available to them.

Earning an Advanced Nursing Degree

Nursing education programs include one-year training programs for becoming a licensed practical nurse (LPN) or licensed vocational nurse (LVN), two-year associate degree programs, three-year diploma in nursing programs, and four-year bachelor’s degree programs for becoming an RN. Beyond the bachelor’s degree in nursing are two types of postgraduate nursing career paths:

• Advanced practice nurse: The APN category includes nurse practitioner (NP), nurse educator, nurse anesthetist, nurse midwife, and nurse administrator.
• Researcher: Nurse researchers have typically earned a doctorate in nursing to qualify for their positions.

Obtaining an Advanced Nursing Certification

Various professional and certification bodies issue dozens of nursing and medical certifications, but the two largest organizations offering advanced nursing certifications are the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) and the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners (AANP).

• ANCC certifications include family nurse practitioner-board certified (FNP-BC), adult-gerontology primary care nurse practitioner-board certified (AGPCNP-BC) and psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner-board certified (PMHNP-BC).
• AANP certifications include family nurse practitioner (FNP), adult-gerontology nurse practitioner (AGNP) and emergency nurse practitioner (ENP).

In addition, the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN) issues certification for acute care nurse practitioners (adult-gerontology), and the Oncology Nursing Certification Corporation offers the advanced oncology certified nurse practitioner (AOCNP) certification.

Pursuing Leadership Roles in Nursing

Two of the most important aspects of nurses’ progress toward their nursing goals are their role in mentoring and educating new nurses and their input and influence in shaping local and national health policy. Preparing to apply for a nurse leadership position starts by determining the qualifications for the job and understanding all the responsibilities and duties.

• Nurse leaders must be able to anticipate and prevent conflict when possible and know techniques for mitigating conflicts when they arise.
• Nurse leaders need first-rate writing and speaking skills and should be adept at presenting medical information clearly, concisely, and completely.
• Nurse leaders must commit to their own long-term success in terms of keeping abreast of developments in their field and learning useful new skills.
• Nurse leaders must be committed to the short- and long-term success of their employees, departments, and organizations.

The SMART Goal Nursing Model

SMART is a goal-setting technique that can help nurse leaders set specific, measurable goals that they can attain in a realistic, timely manner. Nurses should write their goals in their own words, and the goals should reflect the ideals and achievements they prize. They should structure the goals so they can measure their progress toward achieving them.

• Specific: State the goal clearly, such as by writing, “I want to qualify for a nurse manager position.”
• Measurable: Set identifiable mileposts on the path to achieving the goal, such as gaining experience managing a team or project.
• Attainable: Find an achievement that’s within reach, such as qualifying for a nursing position with budget responsibilities, rather than setting a goal of becoming a hospital CEO.
• Relevant: Set a goal that resonates with one’s values and reasons for pursuing a career as a nurse leader.
• Timebound: Set a deadline for achieving the goal and place the interim steps on a timeline to monitor progress toward the goal.