Nursing Career Paths [Infographic]

Aspiring nurses will take different paths to achieve their nursing career goals. The desired role or specialization helps determine their direction—but even nurses in the same roles or specialty may take different routes to reach the same end. Geography, stage of life, and financial flexibility can also be factors in shaping a nursing career path.

By understanding the daily responsibilities and education required for various nurse jobs, students can make nursing career decisions that most align with their aspirations.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), an estimated 3,379,720 people were employed as registered nurses (SOC 29-1141) in the United States in May 2025, and the median annual wage for registered nurses was $97,550.

Four of the most common nursing degrees are:

• Associate’s Degree in Nursing
• Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing
• Master's Degree in Nursing
• Doctorate Degree in Nursing

What Can I Do With an Associate’s Degree in Nursing?

An associate’s degree in nursing (ADN) is one of three routes to becoming a registered nurse (RN), along with nursing diploma and bachelor’s programs, according to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN). Licensure requirements vary by state, so aspiring RNs should contact the nursing regulatory body where they plan to practice to confirm them.

ADN programs are typically offered at community colleges, and graduates can sit for the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN), the same licensing exam that graduates of diploma and bachelor’s programs take.

Responsibilities differ by role and setting. The BLS Standard Occupational Classification definition of registered nurses (SOC 29-1141), which does not distinguish by degree, includes:

• Assessing patient health problems and needs
• Developing and implementing nursing care plans
• Maintaining medical records
• Administering nursing care to ill, injured, convalescent, or disabled patients

Nursing Career Spotlight: Certified Nursing Assistant

What Does a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) Do?

According to the BLS Standard Occupational Classification definition for nursing assistants (SOC 31-1131), they provide or assist with basic care or support under the direction of onsite licensed nursing staff in a health or nursing facility. Tasks include monitoring patients’ health status, feeding, bathing, dressing, grooming, toileting, and ambulation.

The BLS definition for licensed practical nurses (LPNs), also called licensed vocational nurses (LVNs) (SOC 29-2061), describes caring for ill, injured, or convalescing patients or persons with disabilities in hospitals, nursing homes, clinics, private homes, group homes, and similar institutions, says they may work under the supervision of a registered nurse, and notes that licensing is required. LPN candidates take the NCLEX-PN rather than the NCLEX-RN. According to the BLS, licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses had a median annual wage of $64,400 in May 2025, with employment of 648,410.

What Education and Experience Are Required to Become a CNA?

Under the federal nursing-facility rule, a facility may not use an individual as a nurse aide for more than four months on a full-time basis unless the individual is competent and has either completed a state-approved training and competency evaluation program or competency evaluation program, or been deemed or determined competent as the regulation provides. Separate conditions apply to individuals who have worked less than four months, including full-time employees in a state-approved training program. That is a federal rule for nursing facilities; CNA certification and nurse aide registry requirements are set by each state, so aspiring CNAs should confirm them with the state agency that oversees nurse aide training and the nurse aide registry.

What Is the Pay for a CNA?

The BLS reports the following wage information for nursing assistants (SOC 31-1131):

• Median annual wage in May 2025: $42,260
• Employment in May 2025: 1,448,910

What Can I Do With a Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing?

A baccalaureate degree in nursing, such as a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN), is typically a four-year degree program that prepares students to sit for the NCLEX-RN, similar to an ADN program, according to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) fact sheet on the impact of education on nursing practice.

Aspiring nurses should check the hiring requirements of employers where they plan to work. AACN reports that 51.5% of nurses now enter the workforce with a BSN or entry-level master’s degree, and that 72.9% of the RN workforce held a baccalaureate or higher degree, based on the 2024 National Nursing Workforce Survey, which is administered by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) and the National Forum of State Nursing Workforce Centers. NCSBN reports that 744,714 RNs participated in that survey.

If you plan to pursue an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) role later, check the admission requirements of the graduate programs you are considering, since they vary by program and may include a BSN.

BSN programs cover the sciences, nursing research, public and community health, management, and the humanities in greater depth than ADN or nursing diploma programs, according to the AACN fact sheet. AACN says this added coursework prepares the new nurse for a broader scope of practice and describes BSN nurses as prized for their skills in critical thinking, leadership, case management, and health promotion. A nurse’s legal authority to practice, however, is granted by a board of nursing, not by a degree alone.

In practice, ADN and BSN graduates take the same NCLEX-RN, and the BLS definition of the RN occupation does not distinguish between them. Day-to-day responsibilities depend on the role, the employer, and the state.

Nursing Career Spotlight: Registered Nurse

What Does a Registered Nurse (RN) Do?

A registered nurse (RN) is a nurse licensed by a board of nursing to practice as an RN. Licensure generally requires completing a nursing education program that the board approves or accepts, which can be a diploma, ADN, or BSN program, and passing the NCLEX-RN and meeting the board’s other requirements. Passing the exam is one step, and the board authorizes practice.

According to the BLS definition (SOC 29-1141), RN work includes assessing patient health problems and needs, developing and implementing nursing care plans, maintaining medical records, and administering nursing care to ill, injured, convalescent, or disabled patients. AACN reports that RNs work in acute care and community settings, including primary care clinics, home health care, nursing homes, and schools.

What Education and Experience Are Required to Become an RN?

RN is a license, not a degree. Aspiring RNs complete a nursing program that the board of nursing approves or accepts: a BSN, ADN, or nursing diploma program. Program content and accreditation requirements vary by school and by state, so review a program’s details and your board’s requirements before enrolling. To be licensed, graduates then pass the NCLEX-RN and meet the board’s other licensing requirements.

Requirements vary by state. Use the NCSBN Nurse Licensure Guidance tool to find your state’s license application and nurse practice act.

What Is the Pay for an RN?

The BLS reports the following wage information for RNs:

• Median annual wage in May 2025: $97,550
• 10th percentile annual wage: $68,940; 90th percentile annual wage: $137,470

What Can I Do With a Master’s Degree in Nursing?

A Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) is a graduate degree that prepares nurses to advance in a specialty area or population. According to the National Council of State Boards of Nursing, the four advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) roles are certified nurse-midwife (CNM), nurse practitioner (NP), certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA), and clinical nurse specialist (CNS). APRN is a regulated title and role category rather than a single certification: NCSBN’s Consensus Model describes an APRN license in one of the four roles, with national certification in a role and population focus, and it notes that states have not all adopted the model. Depending on the role, graduate preparation is offered at the master’s or doctoral level.

Certification bodies also set their own eligibility rules. For example, ANCC’s family nurse practitioner certification requires a current, active RN license, and AMCB requires CNM candidates to hold an active RN license. AACN counts 155 RN-to-MSN programs that build on the education provided in associate degree and diploma programs.

Graduate nursing preparation also leads to roles outside the four APRN roles. AACN reports strong demand for master’s- and doctorally prepared nurses in advanced practice, clinical specialties, teaching, and research roles, and AACN describes the clinical nurse leader (CNL) as a clinical leader prepared at the master’s or doctoral level; the CNL is not one of the four APRN roles.

Responsibilities depend on the specific role and credential, not on the MSN alone, and could involve:

• Nurse practitioners providing primary and preventive care, with specialized education in areas such as pediatrics, family health, women’s health, and gerontological care
• Certified nurse-midwives and nurse anesthetists, whose services AACN describes as part of nursing’s scope of services
• Clinical nurse leaders focusing on care coordination, outcomes measurement, transitions of care, interprofessional communication, risk assessment, and quality improvement
• Teaching and research roles, in which AACN reports demand for master’s- and doctorally prepared nurses

Nursing Career Spotlight: Nurse Practitioner

What Does a Nurse Practitioner (NP) Do?

A nurse practitioner (NP) is one of the four APRN roles. AACN describes NPs as providing primary and preventive care, with specialized education in areas such as pediatrics, family health, women’s health, and gerontological care.

NCSBN describes APRNs as prepared by education and certification to assess, diagnose, and manage patient problems, order tests, and prescribe medications. That describes clinical preparation, not legal authority. NCSBN notes that jurisdictions have not uniformly adopted its model, so what an NP may do, including diagnosing, ordering tests, and prescribing, depends on the laws and board of nursing in the state where they practice. Check with your state’s board for actual practice and prescribing authority.

What Education and Experience Are Required to Become an NP?

NCSBN’s model calls for APRNs to complete postgraduate education, pass a nationally accredited certification exam, and hold an APRN license. NPs are registered nurses, and requirements for practice vary by state. Admission requirements for NP programs are set by each program, so check with the schools you are considering. For example, the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s family nurse practitioner certification requires a current, active RN license and a master’s, post-graduate certificate, or DNP from a program accredited by CCNE, ACEN, or the NLN CNEA, including at least 500 faculty-supervised clinical hours.

What Is the Pay for an NP?

The BLS reports the following wage information for NPs (SOC 29-1171):

• Median annual wage in May 2025: $132,300
• 10th percentile annual wage: $101,340; 90th percentile annual wage: $174,420
• Employment in May 2025: 323,040

What Can I Do With a Doctorate Degree in Nursing?

The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) is a terminal degree in nursing practice that prepares nurse leaders to improve patient outcomes and translate research into practice, with curriculum content in evidence-based practice, quality improvement, and systems leadership, according to the AACN’s fact sheet on DNPs.

Though the DNP is a relatively new degree, the AACN’s member schools voted in 2004 to endorse a position statement calling for the preparation needed for advanced nursing practice to move from the master’s degree to the doctorate level. Today, the required degree level depends on the role. Family nurse practitioner certification through the American Nurses Credentialing Center, for example, can be earned with a master’s, post-graduate certificate, or DNP, and certified nurse-midwives need a graduate degree from an accredited program to take the certification exam. Nurse anesthesia is now a doctoral field: students accepted into accredited entry-level programs on or after January 1, 2022 must graduate with doctoral degrees.

DNP vs PhD

The DNP focuses on leadership and evidence-based practice as applied to clinical settings, and AACN describes it as an alternative to research-focused doctoral programs. A PhD in nursing is one of those research-focused doctorates: AACN says DNP-prepared nurses are well equipped to implement the science developed by nurse researchers prepared in PhD and other research-focused nursing doctorates.

The DNP is a practice doctorate that prepares graduates to operate at the highest level of nursing practice. AACN describes DNP programs as preparing nurse leaders to improve patient outcomes.

How to Choose a Nursing Career Path

There is no single best nursing career path. The right one depends on how soon you want to start working, what you want to do day to day, and how much education you are ready to complete. These questions can help you narrow it down:

• Where do you want to start? Nursing assistants and LPNs are different roles with different training and licensing routes, described above. To become an RN, you can complete a diploma, ADN, or BSN program; graduates of all three take the same NCLEX-RN licensing exam.
• Do you want to advance later? Advanced practice roles require graduate education and national certification, and admission requirements vary by program, so check with the programs you are considering. Nurse anesthesia is now a doctoral field, as described in the doctorate section above.
• What kind of work and patients appeal to you? Primary care, women’s health, anesthesia, clinical leadership, and teaching lead to different roles and different degrees. You can browse more than 80 types of nursing careers and specialties to compare the daily work.
• How does pay compare? The table below shows national median annual wages for the roles covered on this page.
• What does your state require? Licensure requirements vary by state, and APRN regulation is not uniform across jurisdictions, so check with the board of nursing where you plan to practice.

Nursing Roles at a Glance: Wages and Employment, May 2025

According to the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program, these were the national median annual wages and employment counts for each role in May 2025:

The BLS OEWS national estimates do not include a separate wage estimate for clinical nurse specialists or clinical nurse leaders. The BLS definition of registered nurses (SOC 29-1141) includes clinical nurse specialists.

Nursing Career Path FAQs

What is the career pathway for a nurse?

RNs complete a diploma, ADN, or BSN program, pass the NCLEX-RN, and meet their board of nursing’s licensing requirements. From there, some nurses complete graduate education and earn national certification in one of the four APRN roles identified by NCSBN: nurse practitioner, clinical nurse specialist, nurse anesthetist, or nurse-midwife. Clinical nurse leader certification is a separate graduate nursing route and not an APRN role. The step-by-step text version below shows each route.

What are the best career paths in nursing?

It depends on your goals. If earning potential matters most, the table above shows that nurse anesthetists had the highest median annual wage of the roles covered here, and students entering accredited entry-level nurse anesthesia programs must now earn a doctoral degree. If you want to start working sooner, keep in mind that APRNs are registered nurses educated at the master’s or post-master’s level, so RN licensure comes before advanced practice. Use the questions in the section above to weigh time, cost, and the kind of work you want to do.

Can you make $200,000 a year as a nurse?

Some nurses do, but it is not typical for most nursing roles. In May 2025, nurse anesthetists had a median annual wage of $236,590, with a 10th percentile wage of $155,250 and a 90th percentile wage of $339,500. For comparison, the 90th percentile annual wage was $174,420 for nurse practitioners and $137,470 for registered nurses. Percentiles describe the published wage distribution; they are not a guarantee of what any individual will earn.

The following section is a step-by-step text version of the nursing career paths covered in this post.

Nursing Career Pathways

Aspiring nurses can take a variety of avenues to achieve their professional goals. Follow the general nursing career paths below to find out more about the requirements and rewards associated with some of the most popular roles.

You want to become a nurse.

• You obtain a Diploma in Nursing.
• You pass the NCLEX-RN (National Council Licensure Exam for Registered Nurses).
• You meet your board of nursing’s other requirements and receive your state RN license.
• You begin working as a registered nurse.

OR

• You obtain an Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN).
• You pass the NCLEX-RN (National Council Licensure Exam for Registered Nurses).
• You meet your board of nursing’s other requirements and receive your state RN license.
• You begin working as a registered nurse.

OR

• You obtain a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN).
• You pass the NCLEX-RN (National Council Licensure Exam for Registered Nurses).
• You meet your board of nursing’s other requirements and receive your state RN license.
• You begin working as a registered nurse.

You want to become an APRN.

APRNs complete graduate education, earn national certification, and meet state requirements in one of four roles. Titles and requirements vary by state. You specialize as a:

• Nurse Practitioner (NP)
  • You complete a master’s, post-graduate certificate, or DNP program and pass a national NP certification exam, such as ANCC’s family nurse practitioner exam.
  • You receive all required state authorization to practice (licensure, recognition or other authorization, depending on the state).
  • You start working as an NP.
• Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS)
  • You complete graduate education in the CNS role and pass a national CNS certification exam.
  • You receive all required state authorization to practice (licensure, recognition or other authorization, depending on the state).
  • You start working as a CNS.
• Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA)
  • You complete an accredited doctoral nurse anesthesia program; students accepted into accredited entry-level programs on or after January 1, 2022 must graduate with doctoral degrees.
  • You pass the CRNA certification exam.
  • You receive all required state authorization to practice (licensure, recognition or other authorization, depending on the state).
  • You start working as a CRNA.
• Certified Nurse-Midwife (CNM)
  • You complete a graduate-level midwifery program, hold an active RN license, and pass the AMCB certification exam.
  • You receive all required state authorization to practice (licensure, recognition or other authorization, depending on the state).
  • You start working as a CNM.

You want to become a Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL). This is a separate graduate nursing certification route, not one of the four APRN roles.

• You complete graduate CNL education and pass the CNL certification exam.
• NCSBN’s APRN Consensus Model has four roles and no separate CNL APRN license. This does not remove the RN licensure requirements that apply to the nurse.
• You start working as a CNL.

Wages and related figures:

• Median NP annual wage in May 2025: $132,300
• The BLS OEWS national estimates do not include a separate wage estimate for CNS positions. CNSs are included in the registered nurse category (SOC 29-1141). To learn more, reach out to employers in your area.
• Median CRNA annual wage in May 2025: $236,590
• Median CNM annual wage in May 2025: $134,040
• The National Council of State Boards of Nursing reported that 86.7% of first-time, U.S.-educated NCLEX-RN candidates passed in 2025.
• Median RN annual wage in May 2025: $97,550
• In 2024, 20.6% of RNs in the United States held a master’s degree and 4.5% held a doctoral degree as their highest nursing education, according to the 2024 National Nursing Workforce Survey, as reported by AACN. NCSBN reports that 744,714 RNs participated in that survey.
• The BLS OEWS national estimates do not include a separate wage estimate for CNL positions. To learn more, reach out to employers in your area.

Sources:

• American Association of Colleges of Nursing, “Impact of Education on Nursing Practice.” Updated July 2026. Retrieved September 29, 2026. https://www.aacnnursing.org/news-data/fact-sheets/impact-of-education-on-nursing-practice
• American Association of Colleges of Nursing, “Nursing Workforce Fact Sheet.” Updated September 2026. Retrieved September 29, 2026. https://www.aacnnursing.org/news-data/fact-sheets/nursing-workforce-fact-sheet
• American Association of Colleges of Nursing, “DNP Fact Sheet.” Updated May 2026. Retrieved September 29, 2026. https://www.aacnnursing.org/news-data/fact-sheets/dnp-fact-sheet
• American Association of Colleges of Nursing, “Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL).” Retrieved September 30, 2026. https://www.aacnnursing.org/cnl
• American Association of Colleges of Nursing, “CNL Certification.” Retrieved September 29, 2026. https://www.aacnnursing.org/our-initiatives/education-practice/clinical-nurse-leader/cnl-certification
• American Midwifery Certification Board, “AMCB Certification.” Retrieved September 29, 2026. https://www.amcbmidwife.org/amcb-certification
• American Nurses Credentialing Center, “Family Nurse Practitioner Certification.” Retrieved September 29, 2026. https://www.nursingworld.org/our-certifications/family-nurse-practitioner/
• Bureau of Labor Statistics, “May 2025 OEWS estimates for U.S.” Retrieved September 29, 2026. https://data.bls.gov/oes/#/area/0000000/2025
• Bureau of Labor Statistics, “Standard Occupational Classification: 2018 SOC Definitions.” Retrieved September 30, 2026. https://www.bls.gov/soc/2018/soc_2018_definitions.pdf
• Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs, “Standards for Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Programs, Practice Doctorate.” Revised May 2025. Retrieved September 29, 2026. https://www.coacrna.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Standards-for-Accreditation-of-Nurse-Anesthesia-Programs-Practice-Doctorate-May-2025-Effective-Date-January-2026-1.pdf
• eCFR, “42 CFR 483.35 Nursing services.” Retrieved September 29, 2026. https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-42/chapter-IV/subchapter-G/part-483/subpart-B/section-483.35
• National Council of State Boards of Nursing, “APRN Consensus Model.” Retrieved September 29, 2026. https://www.ncsbn.org/nursing-regulation/practice/aprn.page
• National Council of State Boards of Nursing, “Approval of Nursing Education Programs.” Retrieved September 30, 2026. https://www.ncsbn.org/nursing-regulation/education/approval-of-nursing-education-programs.page
• National Council of State Boards of Nursing, “Nurse Licensure Guidance.” Retrieved September 30, 2026. https://www.ncsbn.org/nursing-regulation/licensure/nurse-licensure-guidance.page
• National Council of State Boards of Nursing, “2025 NCLEX Examination Statistics.” Vol. 96, June 2026. Retrieved September 29, 2026. https://www.ncsbn.org/public-files/2025_NCLEXExamStats_Final.pdf
• National Council of State Boards of Nursing, “2024 National Nursing Workforce Study: RN.” Retrieved September 30, 2026. https://www.ncsbn.org/research/recent-research/workforce/2024-workforce-rn.page

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