Career Advancement Paths For Registered Nurses

Updated on September 29, 2022

With more and more people getting into the profession of nursing practitioner lately, many nurses are searching for methods to shine in their field and build their careers. Luckily, there are many different ways for nurse practitioners to advance their careers and many branches they can choose on their path.

Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist

Becoming a Certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA) is one career path that nurse practitioners can take. A CRNA administers anesthesia to patients undergoing surgery or other medical procedures. They work in a variety of settings, such as hospitals, dental practices, and outpatient clinics.

Becoming a CRNA usually requires a graduate degree in nursing and certification from the National Board of Certification and Recertification for Nurse Anesthetists. CRNAs earn a median salary of $169,450 per year.

Clinical Nurse Specialist

Another career path that nurse practitioners can take is becoming a clinical nurse specialist (CNS). CNSs are experts in the care of certain types of patients, such as those with psychiatric disorders or those who are pregnant or have newborns. They work in a variety of settings, such as hospitals, clinics, and schools.

To become a CNS, nurse practitioners usually need a graduate degree in nursing and certification from a national certifying body. CNSs earn a median salary of $102,673 per year.

Nurse Executive

Another career path that nurse practitioners can take is becoming a nurse executive. Nurse executives manage the nursing staff and operations of a healthcare organization. They work in hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, and other healthcare organizations.

To become a nurse executive, nurse practitioners usually need a graduate degree in nursing and several years of experience in nursing management. Nurse executives earn a median salary of $97,873 per year.

Nurse educator

Yet another career path that nurse practitioners can take is training to become a nurse educator. Nurse educators teach nursing students at colleges and universities. They also work with nurses who are already working in the field to help them continue their education and keep up with the latest advances in nursing.

To become a nurse educator, nurse practitioners usually need a graduate degree in nursing and several years of teaching experience. Nurse educators earn a median salary of $67,490 per year.

Technical Certifications.

Nurse practitioners can also advance their careers by obtaining various technical certifications. Certifications are available in many different specialties, such as pediatric nursing, critical care nursing, and gerontology.

To obtain a certification, nurse practitioners usually need to pass an examination administered by a national certifying body. Certifications generally require nurses to maintain their certification by completing continuing education courses.

Technical certifications can help nurse practitioners stand out from the competition and may lead to higher-paying jobs.

There are many different types of nursing certifications available to nurse practitioners. Some of the most popular certifications include:

Pediatric Nursing Certification 

Certified Pediatric Nurses (CPN) are nurses who have specialized in the care of infants, children, and adolescents. They work in hospitals, clinics, schools, and homes.

Critical Care Nursing Certification

Critical Care Registered Nurses (CCRN) are nurses who have specialized in the care of patients who are critically ill. They work in hospitals, clinics, and ICUs.

ACLS Rhythms Course

Knowing how to read an electrocardiogram (ECG) is a useful skill for any medical professional, whether you’re studying for your state board exam or working in the ER. The Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) Rhythm Course is a certification that teaches nurses and other medical professionals how to read ECGs and manage cardiac emergencies.

Courses like the ones available at ECGEDU.com can teach you the skills that can help you save someone’s life.

Gerontology Nursing Certification 

Gerontology nurses specialize in the care of older adults. They work with patients to help them manage chronic conditions, prevent illness and injury, and stay independent for as long as possible. Gerontology nurses also provide support to family caregivers.

Nurses can become certified in gerontology through the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). To be eligible for certification, nurses must have a valid RN license and at least 2 years of experience working with older adults. Nurses must also complete 30 hours of continuing education in gerontology.

Earning the gerontology nursing certification demonstrates a nurse’s commitment to providing high-quality care to older adults. Certification also validates a nurse’s knowledge and expertise in gerontological nursing. 

Nurse Educator Certification 

Nurse educators are responsible for planning, developing, implementing, and evaluating educational programs that prepare nurses to meet the demands of the healthcare industry. They also collaborate with other healthcare professionals to develop and implement educational programs that improve patient care. In addition, nurse educators often serve as mentors and resources for nurses who are new to the field.

The National Board for Certification of Teacher Nurses (NBCTN) is responsible for the certification of nurse educators. To be eligible for certification, candidates must have a master’s or doctoral degree in nursing education from an accredited institution, as well as two years of full-time teaching experience at the collegiate level. In addition, candidates must pass the NBCTN Nurse Educator Certification Examination.

Clinical Nurse Specialist Certification 

Certified Clinical Nurse Specialists (CCNS) are nurses who have specialized in a certain type of patient care, such as psychiatric disorders or pregnant women. They work in a variety of settings, such as hospitals, clinics, and schools.

Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist Certification 

Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) are nurses who have specialized in the administration of anesthesia. They work in hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare organizations.

Each of these certifications has its own set of requirements, which may include a certain level of education and experience, as well as passing an examination. To find out more about the specific certification requirements, please visit the website of the national certifying body.

There are many different ways for nurse practitioners to advance their careers, and the options listed above are just a few of them. Nurse practitioners who are looking to advance their careers should do some research to find the certification that is best suited for their needs. Certifications are a great way to stand out from the competition and show employers that you are dedicated to your career. They can also lead to higher-paying jobs. So, if you’re looking for a way to advance your nursing career, consider obtaining certification. It may be just what you need to take your career to the next level.

The Editorial Team at Healthcare Business Today is made up of skilled healthcare writers and experts, led by our managing editor, Daniel Casciato, who has over 25 years of experience in healthcare writing. Since 1998, we have produced compelling and informative content for numerous publications, establishing ourselves as a trusted resource for health and wellness information. We offer readers access to fresh health, medicine, science, and technology developments and the latest in patient news, emphasizing how these developments affect our lives.