Nursing is a dynamic, ever-evolving field that’s constantly adapting to new challenges, technologies and patient needs. Regardless of your current career stage, there are always opportunities for growth and advancement that can lead to increased responsibilities, leadership roles and a positive impact in healthcare settings.
With the flexible online nursing programs from St. Thomas University (STU), working nurses can pursue advanced degrees, specialized fields, and high-level roles that align with their career goals and lifestyle. This guide explores the top educational pathways that support career growth, including Registered Nurse (RN) to Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) programs, dual Accelerated Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) and Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degrees and specialized certificates, to help you make the next step in your nursing career.
What Are Options for Career Advancement in Nursing?
Advancing your nursing career means moving beyond entry-level roles to take on more responsibility, earn high-level positions and make a substantial impact within healthcare systems. Advancement can take different forms for everyone, such as completing a new program, assuming a new role or specializing in an area that aligns with your passions. Explore the most effective pathways to career advancement below to see which option is right for you.
Earning a New Degree
Whether you’re just beginning your nursing education or have already completed a bachelor’s or master’s degree, pursuing additional degrees, such as an RN to BSN or BSN to DNP, opens the door to advanced roles, leadership positions and specialized career paths. Earning a new degree enhances your knowledge of clinical practice, patient care, healthcare systems and policy, advancing your career and expanding your expertise.
Taking on an Advanced Role
Pursuing advanced nursing roles allows you to take on more responsibility in patient care, lead nursing teams and influence decision-making in healthcare settings. With career growth often dependent on education and experience, completing additional nursing programs and clinical training is an effective way to position yourself for advanced leadership, educational or administrative roles.
Specializing in a Clinical Area
Entering a specialized field allows you to focus on a specific area of healthcare that aligns with your passions, goals and strengths. Specialization deepens your clinical expertise, leading to advanced roles that are often in high demand. By completing tailored programs that focus on areas such as psychiatric care, adult gerontology or family practice, you can become a transformational leader in these fields and play a key role in improving patient outcomes.
Educational Pathways That Support Career Growth
Advancing in your nursing career is often dependent on your educational background and experience in healthcare settings. Pursuing one of the degree programs below is an effective way to expand your knowledge, gain experience and prepare you for leading roles in your chosen field.
RN to BSN
STU’s online RN to BSN program is designed for working nurses who want to advance their career and enter leadership roles in patient care environments. Students in this CCNE-accredited program develop leadership skills, clinical prevention methods and healthcare promotion strategies that help them to enhance patient outcomes and become effective leaders in their field. Career paths for graduates include:
- Nurse supervisor
- Assistant nurse manager
- BSN-prepared nurse
- Assistant director of nursing
BSN to DNP
The online BSN to DNP program at STU offers working nurses a direct path to the highest level of nursing practice. Students earn an MSN and a DNP throughout the program, preparing them for high-level and transformational leadership roles in nursing. Coursework focuses on advanced clinical practice, healthcare policy and leadership, preparing graduates with the skills and expertise to enter positions such as:
- Academic faculty in nursing education
- Nurse executive
- Director of nursing
- Nursing administrator
- Chief nursing officer (CNO)
MSN
Nurses seeking to advance to leadership roles in their field can complete an online Accelerated MSN program to expand their clinical expertise, elevate their knowledge of evidence-based care and learn how to advocate for policy changes in healthcare. In as little as 12 months, graduates will have the tools and experience to enter advanced practice roles, lead nursing teams or pursue further specialization in their field. Graduates commonly enter positions in:
- Hospitals
- Private practice
- Colleges and universities
- Public health agencies
- Research centers
- Telehealth
Students who wish to focus on a specific area of nursing have the option to complete a specialized online MSN program at STU. These programs tailor their curriculum to provide students with advanced clinical skills and training that prepare them for specialized positions in their chosen field. Concentration options include:
- MSN – Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)
- MSN – Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP)
- MSN – Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (AGPCNP)
Certificates
Nurses who have completed their master’s degree can expand their expertise with online post-master’s certificate programs that deepen their clinical knowledge in a specialized area of practice. Online post-master’s certificate options include:
- Post-Master’s Advanced Placement PMHNP Certificate: Designed for nurses with an NP-focused master’s or doctoral degree, this certificate prepares graduates to become psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioners through an expedited program.
- Post-Master’s PMHNP Certificate: Designed for MSN-prepared nurses to gain the knowledge and expertise to become leading psychiatric-mental health practitioners by exploring areas such as advanced psychiatric theory, clinical pharmacology and pathophysiology.
- Post-Master’s Advanced Placement FNP Certificate: Designed for nurses with a completed master’s degree in an NP specialty to advance their knowledge to become family nurse practitioners through this accelerated program.
- Post-Master’s FNP Certificate: Designed for MSN-prepared nurses without prior NP training, this certificate allows students to pursue careers as primary care providers by expanding their knowledge in family-focused healthcare and clinical training.
How to Choose the Right Path For You
With advancement looking different for every nurse, there’s no one set path to achieving your career goals. The right option depends on your educational background, long-term goals, lifestyle and the impact you hope to make. Consider the following questions to help determine what your next step looks like:
- What area of nursing are you interested in? Consider whether you see your career focusing on public health, family practice, mental health, education, policy or research.
- How much flexibility do you need? Some nursing careers and programs offer more predictable schedules than others, making it easier to balance family, school and work.
- What kind of financial commitment are you willing to invest? Explore tuition and program fees to determine what type of program fits your budget.
- What are your long-term career goals? Think about where you see your nursing career in 10, 15 or 20 years and explore what kind of education and experience you need to achieve those goals.
- Do you want to specialize in a particular field? Determine if you wish to focus on a specific area of nursing or leave your options open with a more general degree.
Inside the Online Nursing Experience at STU
St. Thomas University offers a variety of flexible, online degree pathways that provide you with the skills and resources to advance your nursing career and become a thoughtful and impactful leader in your field. With a mission-driven curriculum and industry-recognized faculty, you’ll learn leading clinical practices, leadership strategies, and evidence-based approaches that enhance patient outcomes and drive positive change in healthcare settings.
STU’s online nursing programs are designed with working nurses in mind, allowing students to complete the curriculum at their own pace. Whether you want to pursue an accelerated degree that advances your education in under a year or fit the program into your busy schedule with part-time studies, STU offers the flexibility and support you need. With flexible online learning platforms, experienced faculty and ongoing career support, you’ll have the tools and resources to take your nursing career to the next level.
Advance Your Nursing Career With STU’s Online Nursing Programs
Advancing your nursing career means more than just achieving your professional goals. By pursuing advanced positions, expanding your education or specializing in high-demand fields, you can transform patient outcomes and make a lasting difference in the lives of others.
With many advancement paths to choose from, working nurses can find a program or role that aligns with their goals and lifestyle. Whether it’s earning a bachelor’s or master’s degree, pursuing a new specialty, or completing a DNP to enter the highest level of nursing, STU’s online nursing programs are here to help you make the next step in your career. Explore your degree options and contact admissions for more information or to apply today.
