Nursing Career Advancement: Explore Your Options
| 10 Min Read
Nursing is one of the most in-demand professions in the United States, and one of the most rewarding. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to advance your nursing career, understanding each educational pathway is the first step toward making an informed decision. Sacred Heart University (SHU) offers a wide variety of online nursing programs to help you find the pathway that best fits your goals.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), registered nurses held roughly 3.4 million jobs in 2024, with employment projected to grow 5% through 2034, faster than the average for all occupations. With the right degree, nurses can move from bedside care to specialized practice, leadership and education.
Understanding Nursing Career Pathways
There are several nursing pathways that lead to career advancement, and each builds on the one before it. All salary and employment data below are sourced from BLS unless otherwise noted.
Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) Pathway
The LPN pathway begins with completing a state-approved certificate or diploma program, typically taking about one year, and passing the NCLEX-PN licensing exam. LPNs provide basic medical care under the supervision of registered nurses and physicians.
According to BLS, they work primarily in nursing and residential care facilities (37%), hospitals (16%), home healthcare settings (12%), and physician offices. Common duties include monitoring vital signs, changing bandages, assisting with patient hygiene and documenting care. With experience, LPNs can advance to supervisory roles or enroll in an LPN-to-RN bridge program to become registered nurses.
Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN)
An Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) is the most common entry point for becoming a registered nurse. ADN programs typically take two to three years to complete and lead to the NCLEX-RN licensing exam.
RNs with an ADN work across hospitals, ambulatory care centers and long-term care facilities. Responsibilities include assessing patient conditions, administering medications, collaborating with physicians and educating patients and families about their care. In 2024, 59% of all RNs were employed by hospitals, according to BLS.
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
A Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) is the preferred credential for most healthcare employers, and is increasingly required for leadership, specialty practice and graduate-level advancement. BSN programs take four years to complete for new students, while RNs with an ADN can earn a BSN through an RN to BSN program in as little as 10 months to three years. BSN education expands on ADN training with coursework in evidence-based practice, public health, leadership and clinical decision-making.
BSN-prepared nurses are eligible for clinical specialty certifications in areas such as cardiovascular nursing, oncology, pediatrics, and labor and delivery. Many health systems now prefer or require a BSN for hiring and promotion. A BSN offers nurses the opportunities to move into charge nurse, case management, nurse manager and specialty roles that command greater pay.
Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)
A Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) is the gateway to advanced clinical practice and nursing leadership. MSN programs typically take two to two-and-a-half years to complete for BSN-prepared nurses. RNs with an ADN can pursue Sacred Heart’s online RN to MSN program that combines BSN and MSN coursework and allows graduation within approximately 3.5 years.
MSN students can choose from a variety of specializations to tailor their education program. At Sacred Heart University, MSN specializations include Clinical Nurse Leader, Nursing Education, Nursing Management & Executive Leadership, Family Nurse Practitioner and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner.
Additionally, nurses who already have a generalized MSN can advance their education further to pursue specialized roles. For example, Sacred Heart offers an online Post-Master’s Family Nurse Practitioner Certificate program as well as an online Post-Master’s Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Certificate program. These post-master’s pathways lead to unique and rewarding nurse practitioner (NP) careers with a great deal of autonomy and flexibility.
Salary Expectations by Nursing Degree Level
The table below compares key metrics across each nursing degree level, using BLS 2024 data. Each step up the educational ladder brings a broader scope of practice, access to more specialized roles and, in most cases, meaningfully higher earning potential.
| Degree Level | Avg. Time to Complete | Avg. Salary (BLS, 2024) | Common Roles | Next Step |
| LPN | ~1 year | $62,340 | Staff nurse, home health, long-term care | ADN or LPN-to-RN bridge |
| ADN | 2–3 years | $93,600* | Staff RN, ER nurse, ambulatory care | RN-BSN |
| BSN | 4 yrs (or 10 mo–3 yrs via RN-BSN) | $93,600+* | Charge nurse, specialty RN, case manager, nurse manager | MSN |
| MSN | 2–2.5 years beyond BSN | $132,050** | NP, nurse educator, chief nursing officer | DNP or executive leadership |
*BLS reports a single RN median salary regardless of degree type. BSN-prepared nurses access higher-paying specialty and leadership roles.
**Based on BLS 2024 median for nurse practitioners, the most common MSN-level advanced practice role.
How to Choose the Right Nursing Pathway
Choosing the right path depends on where you are now and where you want to go. Use this decision guide to identify your next step.
If you’re currently a CNA or high school graduate with no nursing degree: Your next step is the LPN pathway or an ADN program. Both get you into clinical nursing within three years or less.
If you’re currently an LPN: Your next step is an LPN-to-RN bridge program or an ADN program to earn your registered nurse license. This unlocks significantly higher earning potential and broader scope of practice.
If you’re currently an ADN-prepared RN: Your next step is an RN to BSN program. Sacred Heart University’s online RN to BSN can be completed in as little as 10 months. A BSN opens the door to specialty certifications, leadership roles and MSN admission.
If you’re currently a BSN-prepared RN: Your next step is an MSN. Depending on your goals, you might pursue a Family Nurse Practitioner, Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, Nursing Education or Nursing Management & Executive Leadership specialization.
If you’re an RN with an ADN who wants to go directly to an MSN: Your next step is an RN to MSN program, which lets you earn both your BSN and MSN in a single integrated path with a typical duration of about 3.5 years.
If you’re an MSN graduate: Your next step may be earning a post-master’s certificate or a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) for those pursuing the highest level of clinical practice, or an executive leadership role in healthcare administration.
No matter where you are in your nursing journey, Sacred Heart University offers an online pathway to help you reach the next level. Explore their online nursing programs to take the next step toward advancing your career.
Is Nursing a Good Career?
The short answer is: Yes. Nursing consistently ranks among the most stable, in-demand and rewarding professions in the United States.
Nursing offers significant earning potential across all levels. BLS projects strong employment growth across every nursing level through 2034. RN employment is expected to grow 5%, with approximately 189,100 openings projected annually. Nurse practitioners — the primary advanced practice role for MSN graduates — are projected to grow 40%, adding roughly 128,400 jobs over the decade.
Beyond earnings and job security, nursing offers variety and purpose. Nurses work in hospitals, schools, clinics, research facilities and home settings. They specialize in fields from oncology and pediatrics to mental health and executive leadership. For those seeking a career that combines clinical skill, human connection and opportunity for growth, nursing delivers on all counts.
Advance your nursing career at Sacred Heart University with their online nursing programs designed for working nurses, with flexible scheduling and faculty who bring real clinical expertise to every course. Request information to learn more.
Frequently Asked Questions
Nurses and prospective nursing students often have questions about degree timelines, salary expectations and how each credential compares to the next. The answers below address the most common questions about nursing education and career advancement.
What’s the difference between an ADN and a BSN?
Both an ADN and a BSN qualify you to sit for the NCLEX-RN and become a registered nurse. The key differences are depth and career trajectory. An ADN takes two to three years and focuses on clinical nursing skills. A BSN takes four years and adds coursework in evidence-based practice, leadership and public health, preparation that many hospitals now require for employment or promotion. BSN-prepared nurses are also eligible for more specialty certifications and MSN admission.
How long does it take to get an MSN?
For BSN-prepared nurses, an MSN typically takes two to two-and-a-half years to complete. Sacred Heart University offers MSN programs that can be completed in two years (39 credit hours) for most specializations, or 2.5 years (42 credit hours) for nurse practitioner tracks. RNs with an ADN can pursue an RN-MSN program that combines BSN and MSN coursework in approximately 3.5 years.
What can you do with an MSN degree?
An MSN opens the door to the highest-level clinical and leadership roles in nursing. Depending on your specialization, you can become a family nurse practitioner, psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner, clinical nurse leader, nurse educator, nurse manager or chief nursing officer. MSN graduates work in hospitals, outpatient clinics, schools of nursing, healthcare systems and private practice settings.
How much do MSN nurses make?
Earnings vary by specialization, but MSN-level nurses are among the highest-paid in the profession. According to BLS (May 2024), nurse practitioners earned a median of $132,050 per year. Nurse anesthetists, also requiring at minimum a master’s degree, earned a median of $223,210. Nurse midwives earned $128,790. The 35% projected employment growth for advanced practice nurses through 2034 is expected to keep demand and compensation strong.
How long does it take to get a BSN?
A traditional BSN takes four years for students entering without a nursing credential. RNs who already hold an ADN can complete an RN-BSN program in as little as 10 months to three years, depending on the program and pace of study. Sacred Heart University’s online RN-BSN is designed for working nurses and allows credit for prior nursing education.
How much does a BSN earn?
BSN-prepared nurses work as registered nurses and earned a median of $93,600 in May 2024, according to BLS. Hospital-based RNs earned a median of $97,260. Government-employed RNs earned $106,480. While BLS reports a single RN median regardless of degree level, BSN nurses access leadership, specialty and management roles that command higher salaries within the RN range.
What is the difference between an RN and a BSN?
“RN” is a license; “BSN” is a degree. A registered nurse (RN) is anyone who has passed the NCLEX-RN exam, whether they hold an ADN or a BSN. A BSN is the bachelor’s degree that many hospitals now prefer or require for new hires, promotions and specialty practice eligibility. In short, all BSN nurses are RNs, but not all RNs have a BSN.
What can I do with a BSN?
A BSN qualifies you for a wide range of clinical, specialty and leadership roles. BSN-prepared nurses work as staff nurses, charge nurses, case managers, public health nurses, travel nurses and clinical coordinators. A BSN is also a prerequisite for MSN admission, making it the critical stepping stone to becoming a nurse practitioner, nurse educator or nurse executive. Many health systems now hire only BSN-prepared nurses for leadership-track positions.
Explore Sacred Heart University’s online nursing programs to find the right next step in your nursing career. Programs are offered fully online with flexible scheduling designed for working nurses. Request more information to connect with an enrollment advisor today.
About Sacred Heart University
Sacred Heart University is a private Catholic university located in Fairfield, Connecticut. SHU Online offers a range of graduate and undergraduate nursing programs, including the RN-BSN, RN-MSN, MSN, MSN: Family Nurse Practitioner, MSN: Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, MSN: Clinical Nurse Leader, MSN: Nursing Education and MSN: Nursing Management & Executive Leadership.
Coursework is delivered fully online with faculty who bring extensive clinical and academic experience to every course. Sacred Heart University’s nursing programs hold accreditation from the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), reflecting a commitment to the highest standards of nursing education.
The baccalaureate degree program in nursing, the master’s degree program in nursing, the Doctor of Nursing Practice, and the post-graduate APRN certificate program at Sacred Heart University are accredited by the CCNE, 655 K Street, NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001, 202-887-6791.