How to Further Your Nursing Career with Continued Education
Originally Published 4/18/2023. Updated on 12/18/2025 by CCU.
Few things last forever, but nursing is one of the few unique professions that are always needed. There will always be a need for professionals to help the sick and injured among us. There will always be a need for knowledgeable nursing professionals to educate others on how to improve their health and deliver high-quality patient care.
As a nursing professional, it's important to continue learning and stay up to date with the latest technology and research. This commitment to professional development is especially important if you want to advance your nursing career. Whether you're just starting out or looking to take the next step, understanding how to further your nursing career can open doors to new opportunities and higher salaries.
"It's important to be a lifelong learner," said Dr. Kristen Mauk, Associate Dean of Graduate Studies and Research at Colorado Christian University. "That's the takeaway. Never stop learning. Always look at evidence-based practice and practice what the research shows. When you're a lifelong learner, that can make all the difference."
Before you choose what type of nursing education you will need, it's important to identify which nursing path you want to take. Understanding your career options can help you map out the professional growth that aligns with your goals. Here are some career options and the education tracks to help you get there.
Pick Your Nursing Career Path
When Florence Nightingale founded modern nursing, it was a fringe profession, and soap was a cutting-edge tool. Today, nursing is the nation's largest health care profession. According to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, there are nearly 4.2 million registered nurses nationwide, with about 189,100 new positions projected each year through 2034.
Your options in terms of nursing education and career advancement vary as much as the individual fields you seek to serve. Let's look at seven popular nursing paths and specialties to explore:
1. Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)
Certified nursing assistants support registered nurses in hospitals, nursing homes, and other health care facilities. The responsibilities of a CNA focus on basic patient care, and the education requirements follow suit. CNAs complete a 4-8 week certification program, though an associate degree can be helpful. This is a non-licensed entry-level position that offers a starting point for those exploring the nursing field.
2. Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)
A Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) is a licensed professional who represents a step above a CNA on the professional ladder. LPNs assist with additional nursing tasks, such as updating medical records and assisting with medication administration. LPNs have more educational requirements than CNAs, starting with a one-year LPN program that prepares them for direct patient care.
3. Registered Nurse (RN)
Registered nurses work in hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, outpatient care centers, and many other clinical settings. Becoming a registered nurse does not require earning a bachelor's degree, but that is increasingly becoming the norm. Many health care organizations now prefer or require a BSN degree, especially for leadership roles.
CCU offers a Bachelor of Science in Nursing program for those starting their nursing careers, as well as an RN-to-BSN program designed to help practicing nurses earn their bachelor's degree while continuing to work. The median salary for registered nurses is $93,600 per year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2024.
4. Home Health Nurse
Home health nurses provide one-on-one patient care in patients' homes. This nursing specialty offers professionals greater scheduling flexibility and the opportunity to build lasting relationships with patients. Home health nurses typically visit several patients regularly, providing personalized health care services in comfortable, familiar environments.
5. School Nurse
School nurses work in public health settings to protect and promote student wellness and overall academic success. A school nurse must have a bachelor's degree and a registered nurse license. This career path combines nursing practice with health education, making it ideal for those who want to support young people's physical and mental well-being.
6. Emergency Room Nurse
Emergency room nurses work with patients who have experienced traumatic or severe injuries, many of which are life-threatening. This high-intensity nursing specialty requires critical thinking skills and the ability to make quick decisions under pressure. To become an E.R. nurse, you must obtain, at minimum, an associate degree in nursing or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN).
7. Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN)
Advanced Practice Registered Nurses have a minimum of a master's degree, but often pursue a doctoral degree to maximize their career opportunities. APRNs are educated in diagnosing and treating diseases as well as promoting health. There are four main types of APRNs: nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists, nurse midwives, and nurse anesthetists.
Nurse practitioners and other advanced practice nurses can earn significantly higher salaries. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, nurse practitioners, nurse midwives, and nurse anesthetists earn a median salary of $132,050 per year, with job growth projected at 35% through 2034.
Other types of nurses include labor and delivery nurses, rehabilitation nurses, occupational health nurses, oncology nurses providing cancer care, nurse educators, nurse administrators, certified pediatric nurses, and clinical nurse specialists in various specialties focused on women's health, critical care, and emergency care. The health care industry offers remarkable career options for those willing to invest in their education.
Never Stop Learning
At a minimum, most practicing nurses must earn continuing education credits and regularly recertify in life-saving procedures, such as CPR, to maintain their credentials. However, if you want to move up and make an even greater impact on patient outcomes, you must take the next step in your education and training.
"That's one of the great things about nursing," Mauk said. "When you have an advanced degree, many more doors are open to you, whether in practice or education. By getting certified in a specialty area, you can validate your medical knowledge and move up the ladder in your nursing field."
Joining professional nursing organizations can also accelerate your professional development and help you build a valuable professional network. These organizations offer continuing education, leadership development opportunities, and connections with other nurses who share your professional goals.
Since earning your BSN degree is the baseline for many career opportunities, let's look at ways you can grow your nursing career from there through advanced nursing programs.
Advanced Degree Opportunities
"Advancing your education by earning a graduate degree in nursing is one of the considerable ways you can advance your nursing career," Mauk said.
For nurses interested in advancing their careers to the highest levels of clinical practice and leadership, the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) offers the most comprehensive path forward. This doctoral degree prepares expert-level care providers with advanced competencies to engage in industry-changing projects through evidence-based nursing practice and to improve patient outcomes in their facilities and throughout the healthcare system.
CCU now offers multiple DNP pathways designed for different career stages, including Family Nurse Practitioner, Nurse Educator, Adult Gerontology, and Transformational Leadership emphases. Whether you're a nurse practitioner, nurse administrator, healthcare leader, clinical nurse specialist, or nurse educator, the DNP program prepares you for the highest leadership roles in the nursing profession. Nurse practitioners and other advanced practice nurses are especially in demand as the healthcare system seeks to expand access to quality patient care.
The problem extends to nursing education, as well. The American Association of Colleges of Nursing reports that a shortage of nurse educators serving as faculty is forcing some nursing programs to turn away qualified students because they lack the resources to train them. In fact, over 91,000 qualified applicants were turned away from baccalaureate and graduate nursing programs due to faculty shortages, limited clinical sites, and budget constraints.
"There is a huge faculty shortage," Mauk said. "The lack of qualified nurse educators, particularly in academia, is growing."
This creates significant job opportunities and career advancement opportunities for nurses who pursue specialized certifications and advanced degrees. Becoming a nurse educator allows you to shape future nurses while enjoying increased job satisfaction and job security. For those drawn to teaching and mentoring other nurses, this career path offers both personal and professional growth.
The DNP program at CCU can be completed in as little as 36 months and prepares graduates for career advancement in leadership roles such as Director of Nursing, Chief Nursing Officer, academic nursing faculty, nurse entrepreneur, and more. These leadership roles combine clinical expertise with leadership skills to help you transform healthcare delivery in your organization and improve patient outcomes across the healthcare system.
How Can CCU Help You Advance Your Nursing Career?
Like all programs at CCU, nursing degrees are taught with a Christian worldview while focusing on providing patients with the highest standard of patient-centered care in all clinical settings. Pursuing your nursing degree at CCU means you will not only receive a world-class nursing education, but you will also receive the biblical integration that prepares you to use nursing as ministry.
CCU's online program options are designed for busy practicing nurses who want to advance their nursing career without putting their lives on hold. With flexible formats that fit around your work schedule and family commitments, you can pursue professional development and career growth on your own terms. The healthcare industry rewards those who invest in continued education with higher salaries and expanded career options.
Whether you're completing your BSN degree or continuing on to earn your DNP, CCU has what you need to succeed. The path to career advancement and leadership roles starts with taking that next step in your nursing education. When you invest in yourself, you invest in better patient outcomes for everyone you serve. Learn more about CCU's nursing program options at ccu.edu/nursing.
Salary and employment data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, May 2024.