Nursing is a diverse field with pathways that cater to every passion and skill set. Whether you’re just beginning your career, looking to pivot into a new field or want to advance your education with a high-level degree, the online nursing programs from St. Thomas University (STU) support all stages of your nursing journey.
This guide outlines the range of nursing career options, from entry-level roles to advanced practice specialties, along with the education required to pursue each path. You’ll learn more about nursing career options at all levels and see how STU’s online programs can help you take the next step.
Nursing Career Paths
Nursing offers a diverse range of career paths, from bedside care to specialized leadership roles. Each path requires varying degrees of education and experience, enabling you to pursue the opportunity that fits your goals, background and lifestyle.
As healthcare needs evolve, so do the opportunities, allowing nurses to shift directions or specialize in different areas over time. The following roles highlight some of the ways nurses can apply their training in various settings, specialties and stages of their careers.
Entry-level Nursing Roles
Many aspiring nurses begin their careers with foundational roles to gain valuable experience before pursuing a Registered Nurse (RN) or Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree. These entry-level positions often require the completion of a certificate or diploma program and provide hands-on experience in numerous healthcare settings. While STU does not offer pre-licensure programs, these roles help prepare prospective students with the skills and knowledge to excel in online nursing programs.
Those beginning their nursing career have a wide range of opportunities to kickstart their knowledge and develop their expertise. Typical starting roles include:
- Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA): Assist patients with day-to-day activities such as dressing, bathing and eating, while monitoring vitals and supporting nursing staff.
- Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN): Provide basic medical care under the supervision of an RN, such as administering medications, changing dressings and updating records.
- Patient Care Technician (PCT): Support nursing staff by assisting with patient hygiene, mobility and testing such as EKGs or blood draws.
- Home health aide: Provide personal care to clients in their homes by assisting with activities such as dressing, bathing, meal preparation and household chores.
- Medical assistant: Complete clinical and administrative duties in a healthcare setting, completing tasks such as taking vitals, drawing blood and managing medical records.
Registered Nurse and BSN-level Careers
STU’s RN to BSN online program equips nurses with the skills and knowledge to expand their career opportunities. Students gain a comprehensive understanding of culturally responsible healthcare practices, equipping them for leadership roles in the industry.
Students in the RN to BSN program learn how to enhance patient health through various strategies, with coursework that focuses on community health nursing, ethical dilemmas in nursing and culturally diverse care. They develop leadership skills, gain a deeper understanding of philosophical and theoretical principles in nursing, and acquire the confidence to advocate for transformation in healthcare.
Graduates of the RN to BSN program are equipped with the skills and expertise to enter leading positions in nursing. They often enter into roles as:
- Staff RN: Provide direct care to patients in hospitals or other clinical settings by administering treatments, monitoring conditions and assisting other healthcare teams.
- Public health nurse: Promote health education, prevent diseases, and enhance access to care within communities through outreach and public health initiatives.
- School nurse: Work within a school to support student health by managing conditions, promoting wellness and administering medications.
- Occupational health nurse: Provide healthcare within an organization to enhance employee health, prevent injuries and promote a safe, healthy work environment.
- Case manager: Coordinate and manage the care of patients with chronic or complex health conditions by acting as a point of contact, advocating for their well-being and connecting them to necessary services or resources.
- Travel nurse: Travel to healthcare facilities across various locations to fill nursing gaps by providing patient care, administering medications and collaborating with the on-site healthcare team.
Advanced Practice and MSN-prepared Careers
An online Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree provides nurses with the skills and education to pursue specialized roles beyond bedside care. This graduate-level degree prepares them for advanced practice roles that combine clinical expertise with leadership and education.
Those who complete an MSN degree have the skills and knowledge to work with diverse patient groups, advocate for positive change in healthcare and interpret essential data that improves patient outcomes. Core coursework focuses on pathophysiology, health promotion and disease prevention. Nurses typically enter the following positions after graduation:
- Nurse educator: Develop and teach educational programs to nursing students or practicing nurses.
- Nurse administrator: Oversee the budgeting, staffing and policies of nursing staff within an organization.
- Clinical nurse leader: Lead healthcare teams at the clinical level by coordinating patient care, improving quality and safety and ensuring the proper practices are followed.
- Informatics nurse: Combine nursing and technology to manage healthcare data systems that improve patient care and clinical workflows.
- Health policy nurse: Analyze and advocate healthcare policies on local, state or national levels.
- Nurse researcher: Conduct scientific studies that help advance nursing knowledge, improve clinical care and innovate healthcare.
Nurse Practitioner and Specialized APRN Careers
Specialized MSN degrees prepare students to pursue clinical roles as advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs). STU offers three specialized APRN tracks:
- Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP): The online Master of Science in Nursing – Family Nurse Practitioner (MSN to FNP) program prepares students to provide primary care to individuals and families.
- Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner (AGNP): The online Master of Science in Nursing – Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (MSN AGPCNP) program provides students with the skills and expertise to care for individuals of all ages and address the healthcare needs of aging populations.
- Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP): The online Master of Science in Nursing – Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (MSN PMHNP) program prepares graduates for careers in mental health care, training them in the assessment, diagnosis and treatment of mental conditions.
These programs provide focused clinical training that equips nurses to assess, diagnose, treat and evaluate clients across various healthcare settings. APRN career paths often include roles such as:
- FNP: Provide primary care for families and individuals to prevent, diagnose and treat illnesses.
- Adult gerontology NP: Manage acute and chronic illnesses in adults, children and seniors.
- Psychiatric-mental health NP: Diagnose and treat mental health disorders using therapy, medication and counselling.
- Women’s health NP: Provide reproductive and gynecological health support to women through wellness exams, family planning and prenatal care.
- Certified nurse midwife: Provide comprehensive healthcare services to women throughout all stages of their reproductive health.
- Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA): Administer anesthesia and ensure the safety and comfort of patients before, during and after surgery.
Doctoral Level Nursing Careers
The Doctor of Nursing Practice program at STU prepares students for the highest level of nursing practice. Graduates become transformational leaders in administration, research, technology, teaching and entrepreneurship.
This online doctorate program expands on your education and real-life experience to deepen your clinical expertise, enhance your leadership skills and prepare you to drive meaningful change in healthcare systems. You’ll advance your knowledge of nursing theory, collaborate with interprofessional teams and translate your research into real-world nursing practice.
With these advanced credentials, nurses are equipped to enter top-level positions. They become leaders in their field, entering roles such as:
- Chief Nursing Officer (CNO): Top nursing executive who oversees staff, sets clinical standards and ensures high-quality patient care across an organization.
- Director of clinical operations: Coordinate teams, optimize workflows and ensure healthcare compliance across a clinical facility.
- Nursing faculty: Lead the next generation of nurses by teaching and mentoring students, creating curriculum and contributing to research.
Non-traditional or Emerging Nursing Careers
As the healthcare industry evolves, new nursing roles emerge. STU’s advanced degrees prepare students to enter diverse fields that combine nursing with law, technology and public safety.
These positions present intriguing new opportunities for nurses to use their skills in innovative ways. The top newly emerging nursing opportunities include:
- Legal nurse consultant: Assist legal professionals by reviewing records, evaluating evidence and providing medical insight in legal cases.
- Forensic nurse: Provide specialized care to victims of trauma and violence, collect evidence and work with law enforcement to provide valuable insights into crimes.
- Telehealth nurse: Utilize digital platforms to assess patients, monitor chronic conditions and provide remote support for health management.
How to Choose Your Nursing Path
There are several key elements to consider when choosing the right path for your nursing career. From your career interests to your everyday lifestyle, understanding your strengths, preferences and long-term goals helps you select a career path that’s right for you.
Whether you’re beginning an entry-level position or want to advance your education in a specialized field, STU’s online nursing degree programs are designed to support every stage of the journey. To guide your decision, consider the following questions:
- What population would you like to serve? Children, adults, seniors or specialized groups?
- Do you prefer hands-on care, teaching future nurses or administrative roles?
- What kind of time commitment can you dedicate to your degree?
- Do you want to work in hospitals, family practices, clinics, schools or telehealth settings?
- What areas of healthcare interest you most? Mental health, preventive care, chronic disease, women’s health or aging populations?
- Do you prefer fast-paced environments, such as emergency rooms, or calmer settings, like primary care facilities?
- Are you interested in leadership and management roles, or do you prefer individual patient care?
Asking yourself the above questions and exploring your degree options can help you find the nursing path that aligns with your goals, lifestyle and passions.
Inside the Online Nursing Experience at STU
STU offers flexible online nursing programs that prepare students to succeed in all levels of their nursing careers. Whether you’re beginning your journey with a BSN, furthering your education with an MSN or pursuing the highest level of the field with a DNP or BSN to DNP, each program is structured to fit your goals and lifestyle.
STU’s flexible online programs take a student-centered approach, providing connection and community across virtual platforms. You’ll interact with fellow students from diverse backgrounds, cultures and locations, eventually becoming part of a supportive alumni network.
As part of our mission-driven educational approach, every program cultivates ethical and thoughtful leaders who drive positive change in their communities. No matter where your nursing career takes you, you’ll be encouraged to lead with confidence, advocate for those who cannot and make thoughtful decisions that better the lives of those around you.
Explore STU’s Online Offerings to Start Your Journey
Nursing offers a diverse range of pathways, from hands-on clinical care to education and specialized practices. STU’s online nursing programs help you confidently take the next step, no matter where you are in your journey. With flexible, online BSN, MSN and DNP programs, you can pursue a career that fulfills your passions and makes a positive impact on the lives of others.
Whether you’re just beginning to explore a career in nursing or have years of education and experience, these online programs advance your skills, enhance your knowledge and guide you toward your career goals. Explore the nursing program options from STU Online to learn more and make the first step toward your future in nursing.
Learn more about STU’s online nursing programs.
