Nursing is an incredible career path because of its diversity\u2014every workday is different, patients come from all walks of life, and the opportunities to grow and expand one\u2019s knowledge are vast.<\/p>\n
For most, the nursing career path doesn\u2019t come to a halt after earning that cherished \u201cRN\u201d or \u201cLPN\u201d title. In fact, these credentials are often just the beginnings, or entry points, to a long-term nursing career. If you are a Registered Nurse (RN) or Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN), rest assured that growth opportunities are ahead.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s for this reason that many people get into and enjoy the nursing field so much. Upward mobility, or opportunities for advancement, is a commonly cited reason for nurses\u2019 job satisfaction. Nurses have the potential to continue their education, specialize in dedicated fields of medicine, and earn an increasingly high salary.<\/p>\n
The question is: How? How can nurses grow in the profession, stand out to employers, and take their skills (and salary) to the next level? Let\u2019s find out!<\/p>\n
If you want to stand out to employers, whether for a promotion in your current workplace or to pursue your dream job, we\u2019ve got you covered. Here are some tips for taking your career to the next level, as an entry-level nurse.<\/p>\n
The most obvious opportunity to stand out to employers and advance in the nursing field is to further your education.<\/p>\n
Licensed Practical Nurses and Registered Nurses are usually entry-level positions, and while they have longevity and can be extremely rewarding, they\u2019re often stepping stones to long-term career growth. To future-proof your career, consider what the next level of nursing school<\/a> can do for you.<\/p>\n As an LPN, for example, a Registered Nursing program is an obvious next step. RNs have significantly more autonomy than LPNs when it comes to patient care, with a broader scope of practice that comes with higher salary potential. To become an RN, an associate degree in Nursing (ADN)<\/a> or a bachelor\u2019s degree in Nursing (BSN)<\/a> is required.<\/p>\n If you are a seasoned RN, your next step will depend on your educational level. RNs with an associate degree might consider a bachelor\u2019s program to advance into leadership and specialized roles. Now, we know what you\u2019re thinking\u2014a BSN degree is a big commitment. The good news for RNs, though, is that this does not require another four years in school. RNs can earn their bachelor\u2019s degree in as little as 12 months part-time<\/strong> and online<\/strong> at Goodwin through our RN-to-BSN program<\/a>. This means you can continue working while pursuing an advanced degree.<\/p>\n Already have a bachelor\u2019s in Nursing? Your next step might be graduate school! BSN-educated nurses can pursue a master\u2019s degree in Nursing or APRN degree<\/a> to advance their skills and knowledge even further, leading to rewarding positions in primary care and management settings, and more.<\/p>\n Whether you\u2019re an LPN or RN, there are also opportunities to specialize and become certified in certain areas of the field. Professional certifications can boost your credentials and reputation in the workforce, increase your salary potential, and open doors to advancement opportunities that you couldn\u2019t access before. Additionally, these pathways allow you to deepen your expertise and improve patient outcomes all the while. There are benefits of certification all around.<\/p>\n As you look for nursing growth opportunities here, it\u2019s important to look inwards first: From your experience in nursing so far, what has interested you most? Is there a certain area of medicine or patient demographic that you feel passionate about? Whether it\u2019s pediatrics or oncology, there\u2019s most likely an opportunity to specialize in your field of interest.<\/p>\n Below are some examples of available specialized certifications for nurses, depending on your current credentials.<\/p>\n Certification possibilities for RNs include:<\/a><\/p>\n Certification options for LPNs include:<\/a><\/p>\n Your growth opportunities in nursing will largely depend on where you\u2019re at in your current career. For example, Registered Nurses with an associate degree will need to take different steps than those with a bachelor\u2019s degree (depending on the end goal). Here are some job growth opportunities, based on each level of nursing.<\/p>\n Licensed Practical Nursing is a great way to enter the field of nursing, but as you probably have found, the level of autonomy for LPNs is fairly low. If you\u2019re looking to advance into a nursing position where you can coordinate treatment plans, administer medications, and really impact patients\u2019 care journeys, you might consider becoming a Registered Nurse<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Transitioning from an LPN to RN credential can be relatively straightforward, given you already have some knowledge and course credits under your belt. Learn about the process at Goodwin, here.<\/a><\/p>\n Today, over 70 percent of Registered Nurses have at least a bachelor\u2019s degree in hand. If you are going to stand out against the rest, you should consider pursuing a Bachelor\u2019s in Nursing (BSN). Not only will it make you more competitive, it will also show employers that you\u2019re ready for an advanced role. The AACN<\/a> (American Association of Colleges of Nursing) states that close to 3 in 4 employers now express a strong preference for nurses with a bachelor\u2019s degree. Among 28% of employers, a BSN degree is a standard requirement for nurses. A BSN is required for jobs like:<\/p>\n What if you have a bachelor\u2019s degree, but are looking to advance even further in your career trajectory? Registered Nurses can become nurse practitioners, a type of advanced practice registered nurse (APRN), as well as nurse midwives, nurse anesthetists, and nurse administrators with a graduate degree in hand. A master\u2019s degree in Nursing (MSN) is a common next step for advancement<\/a>, with specialized programs available depending on your desired career path.<\/p>\n For those who love patient care, becoming a nurse practitioner is a great opportunity. These professionals can act as primary care providers and coordinate entire treatment plans for patients in need. Advanced practice positions to consider include, but are not limited to:<\/p>\n And more!<\/p>\n Nursing salaries range depending on your title and level of training and education, as well as the state in which you work.<\/p>\n For Registered Nurses, typical starting salaries fall in the $60,000 to $70,000 range. However, RN salaries can grow to more than $135,000 per year, depending on your location and specialty. On average in the U.S., Registered Nurses earn a median salary<\/a> of $93,600 per year. This is significantly higher than the median salary for LPNs<\/a>, which falls around $62,000 per year.<\/p>\n The Bureau of Labor Statistics<\/a> reports that RNs have the highest earning potential in government and medical manufacturing positions. However, for those who advance into APRN and administrative roles, the pay potential is also significant.<\/p>\n Nurse practitioners and nurse midwives in the United States earn a median salary<\/a> of about $129,000 annually, while nurse anesthetists earn upwards of $220,000 per year. Again, these salaries can vary depending on your place of work, with the highest earnings often secured in hospital settings.<\/p>\n About 80 percent of Registered Nurses feel satisfied in their roles, but it\u2019s not uncommon for nurses to want more. National statistics<\/a> show that the vast majority of RNs who do move on from their job still remain in the nursing field. About 1 in 4 RNs leave their careers because of a promotion or advancement opportunity.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re ready for something new, and think you\u2019ve got what it takes to grow, now is the time to give it a go. Nurses are needed at all levels of the profession, and those with the education and skills to back up their credentials will be well-positioned for success.<\/p>\n <\/p>\nPursue certification or specialization.<\/h3>\n
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Specific Growth Opportunities in Nursing<\/h2>\n
Are you an LPN?<\/h3>\n
Are you an RN with an associate degree?<\/h3>\n
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Are you an RN with a bachelor\u2019s degree?<\/h3>\n
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Opportunities for Nursing Salary Growth<\/h2>\n
Nursing Growth Opportunities Await\u2014Take the Next Step<\/h2>\n
Let Goodwin University help you grow in your nursing career. Explore our flexible RN-to-BSN and MSN program options<\/a>, where you can earn an advanced nursing degree while still maintaining your income and career.<\/em><\/h3>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"