Nursing Career Path Steps for Professionals at Every Level

Nursing offers clear, flexible pathways for professionals at every point of their journey, whether you’re beginning your career, advancing your degree, or exploring leadership roles. Whether you start with an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN), move to a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), or advance to a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), or Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), understanding the nursing career path steps helps you plan for education, licensure, and credentialing that align with your goals.

After familiarizing yourself with how education, certification, and licensure determine a nurse’s career path, you’ll be better equipped to decide which degree program is right for you.

How Education, Certification, and Licensure Influence Nursing Careers

Nursing careers are primarily shaped by three factors: degree, certification, and licensure. Broadly speaking, the more credentials and experience a nurse has, the higher they can ascend in their careers. By extension, these elements also influence a nurse’s earning potential.

Degrees

Degree level determines the clinical scope, leadership opportunities, and eligibility for advanced practice. Common nursing degrees include:

ADN: A two-year program that prepares students for entry-level nursing practice
BSN: A four-year undergraduate degree bachelor’s degree that builds advanced clinical knowledge, leadership, and research skills.
MSN: A graduate degree for advanced practice, leadership, or education
DNP: A terminal degree for leadership roles in patient care, policy, and management
PhD: A terminal degree that prepares graduates for research-focused and academic roles

Licensure

All nurses must be licensed to practice. Typical requirements include:

Graduating from an accredited nursing program
Passing the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX)
Meeting state board application rules
Completing any education or background checks in the jurisdiction

Certification

Certifications signal competence in a specialty and are sometimes required or strongly preferred for specialty roles. Examples include Certified Emergency Nurse (CEN) for emergency nursing and Oncology Certified Nurse (OCN) for cancer care. Certifications validate advanced skills and can be prerequisites for certain roles or higher salary levels.

Nursing Career Path Steps for ADN-Prepared Nurses

An ADN prepares individuals for core clinical practice as registered nurses (RNs) and serves as a launch point for many nursing careers. Graduates typically qualify to take the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) and work as entry-level RNs in various settings.

Common roles for ADN-prepared graduates include:

Home care nurse
Assisted living nurse
Care coordinator
Clinical associate
Clinical nurse liaison
Clinical research associate
School nurse
Perioperative nurse

Think of an ADN as a practical, time-efficient pathway into nursing. Many ADN holders enroll in RN to BSN programs to expand leadership, community health, and management opportunities.

According to Payscale, the average annual salary for someone with an ADN is about $80,000.

Nursing Career Path Steps for BSN-Prepared Nurses

A BSN broadens clinical knowledge, develops leadership skills, and opens doors to expanded roles and faster career advancement. BSN-prepared graduates typically enter practice with stronger preparation in community health, research literacy, and systems-level thinking, compared with their ADN-prepared peers.

Common roles for BSN-prepared graduates include:

Travel nurse
Nurse manager
Health educator
Medical insurance specialist
Pharmaceutical sales representative
Medical writer or researcher
Nurse consultant
Director of nursing
Chief nursing officer

A BSN degree is often preferred or required for supervisory, public health, and administrative positions and provides prerequisites for MSN programs and advanced certifications. The curriculum focuses on evidence-based practice, care coordination, patient education, and quality improvement. Students also pursue specialty certifications to enhance their job market competitiveness and readiness for leadership or graduate study.

According to Payscale, the average annual salary for someone with a BSN is approximately $99,000. Individuals who aspire to earn more should consider nurse practitioner and director roles.

Nursing Career Path Steps for MSN-Prepared Nurses

An MSN program prepares nurses for advanced clinical practice, leadership, education, and specialized roles that require graduate-level training. MSN-prepared graduates gain the knowledge and credentials needed for expanded diagnostic authority, management responsibilities, and academic or policy-focused careers.

Common roles for MSN-prepared graduates include:

Clinical nurse educator
Clinical nurse specialist
Chief nursing officer
Long-term acute care nurse
Nurse educator
Director of nursing
Clinical nurse leader
Nurse midwife
Clinical research nurse
Public health nurse

Advanced roles usually require specialty certification and, for advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs), state APRN licensure. MSN pathways emphasize specialization, independent practice authority in many states, and leadership roles within health care organizations.

According to Payscale, the average annual salary for someone with an MSN is about $109,000. However, those in leadership or advanced clinical practice roles are positioned to earn much more than that. For example, Payscale reports that DNP graduates earn an average salary of $116,000.

Leverage Your Nursing Degree Into a Rewarding Career

Nursing career path steps form a professional ladder from entry-level clinical work to advanced practice, leadership, and specialized roles. An ADN offers a practical route into frontline clinical nursing, a BSN builds leadership and research readiness, and an MSN unlocks advanced clinical authority and executive opportunities.

Plan each step around the credentials you need, including the degree that matches your target role, the licensure required in your state, and any specialty certifications that employers expect. Following these intentional career path steps will make each transition smoother and increase your impact and earning potential throughout your nursing career.

If you’re already a nurse and looking for your next step, North Carolina Central University’s online RN to BSN program is a great place to start. This ACEN‑accredited, career-focused degree program can be completed in as little as one year, and it emphasizes cultural competence, research literacy, and community health. Graduates go on to pursue careers in management, specialty clinical roles, and nonclinical roles in research and pharmaceutical sales.

Learn more about the program, so you can see how it supports your next nursing career path steps.

Recommended Readings

Hospice Nurse Career Overview

Dr. Yolanda VanRiel: A Nurse Educator’s Journey of Purpose, Practice, and Pride

Explore a Career as an Occupational Health Nurse

Sources:

American Nurses Association, Charge Nurse vs. Nurse Manager: What’s the Difference?

American Nurses Association, Our Certifications

American Nurses Association, The Levels of Nursing Practice

Indeed, 10 Jobs You Can Get With an Associate Degree in Nursing

Indeed, 10 Nursing Career Progression Paths (With Tips)

Indeed, 12 Master in Nursing Jobs You Can Pursue With an MSN Degree