Nurse Advancement Opportunities for RNs

Written by: University of Tulsa • Aug 17, 2026

A nurse in scrubs talking to colleagues at a conference table.

Registered nurses (RNs) fill a dynamic role in health care. Their versatility is part of what makes them indispensable. RNs can choose to focus their practice on advancing their careers, and some may decide to specialize or pursue an advanced nursing degree.

Experienced RNs seeking professional growth or nursing students planning their future education and careers should know about available nurse advancement opportunities and how to pursue them.

The Nursing Outlook: Why Advancement Matters Now

According to the National Center for Health Workforce Analysis (NCHWA), the U.S. will face a shortage of 108,960 RNs by 2038. Additionally, the U.S. is facing a shortage of 70,610 primary care physicians by 2038. These shortages highlight the need for primary care and specialty care doctors, a need that’s only expected to increase.

Advanced nursing roles can help close these health care shortage gaps. Earning a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) can lead to advanced roles in nursing practice and education, preparing the next generation of RNs and advanced practice nurses. According to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN), U.S. nursing schools turned away more than 80,000 qualified applications in 2024 due to faculty shortages. Advanced nurse educators can help close this gap and usher in the next generation of qualified nurses.

Why RNs May Want to Advance Their Careers

If you’re an RN, you may want to earn an advanced degree and advance your career for many reasons.

Higher Salaries

One of the most common reasons that RNs seek to advance their careers is the potential for a higher salary. Payscale reports that while a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree holder earns an average annual salary of $100,000, the average annual salary for an MSN degree holder is $110,000, and the average annual salary for a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree holder is $117,000.

Graduate nursing degree holders can also earn higher salaries by following a few different career paths, including the following:

Pursuing additional nursing certifications
Specializing in a specific field
Moving into a management role

Roles with higher salaries may also have associated benefits, such as bonuses, overtime pay, and more paid time off.

More Focused Work

RNs can gain broad experience through the versatility of their roles. At some point, however, they may want to focus on a specific area. RNs may find that they want to work with a particular patient population, that they have a knack for a specific type of care, or that their leadership skills are suited for management. Focusing on one specific talent can help RNs reach their full career potential.

Increased Job Satisfaction

Whether seeking more focused work or an entirely new nursing experience, RNs need to follow their own path. That may mean educating nursing students, working in administration, or performing research. Whatever the path is, finding a niche can lead to increased job satisfaction.

Potential Advancement Opportunities for Nurses

Every nurse can choose a unique path to advancement. Here are a few career advancement opportunities you can pursue if you’re an RN looking to pursue an advanced degree.

Nurse Practitioner

A nurse practitioner (NP) provides direct patient care in primary and specialty care settings. They can diagnose and treat health conditions, order and interpret diagnostic tests, and teach patients and their families how to continue care at home.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median annual salary for NPs was about $129,210 as of 2024. The BLS expects a 40% job growth rate for NPs between 2024 and 2034.

Nurse Educator

Nurse educators prepare nurses for the health care workforce. They prepare lesson plans, instruct nursing students, and administer examinations. This may take place in the classroom or lab settings. Senior educators also serve in administrative and mentorship roles.

According to the BLS, the median annual salary for nursing educators was about $79,940 as of 2024, with a projected 17% job growth rate between 2024 and 2034.

Research Nurse

Clinical trials are essential to medicine and health care, and research nurses are indispensable to these research studies. A research nurse balances patient care with assisting researchers in evaluating the safety and efficacy of new drugs and medical devices.

According to O-NET OnLine, clinical research coordinators, including research nurses, have a median annual salary of about $167,220 and a projected job growth rate of 3% to 4% between 2024 and 2034.

Nurse Manager

Most health care institutions employ nurse managers to carry out their administrative and management responsibilities. Typical duties include managing staff schedules, training new nurses, and developing policies and procedures. A nurse manager may also be responsible for floor and ward management, assigning nursing teams to patient groups.

According to the BLS, medical and health services managers, including nurse managers, have a median annual salary of about $117,960 and a 23% projected growth rate between 2024 and 2034.

Clinical Nurse Specialist

A clinical nurse specialist (CNS) has administrative and managerial responsibilities. They oversee patient care and may supervise a team of nurses. They also work closely with patients and their families, participate in diagnosis and treatment planning, and may engage in research.

According to O-NET OnLine, CNSs have a median annual salary of about $97,550 as of 2025 and a 5% to 6% projected job growth rate between 2024 and 2034.

Nurse Administrator

Nurse administrators oversee the nursing staff at a health care facility and ensure that their team provides high-quality care. They hire and train nursing staff, lead patient treatment plans, evaluate nursing practices for opportunities for improvement, and implement departmental policies aligned with nursing regulations and laws.

A nurse administrator is also considered a health and medical services manager, which has a median annual salary of $117,960 and a 23% job growth rate between 2024 and 2034, according to the BLS.

Explore Pathways to Nurse Advancement

These are just a few of the potential opportunities for nurse advancement. There are many more, and they all share one thing in common — an advanced degree helps RNs advance their careers.

The University of Tulsa’s online MSN program provides a pathway for motivated RNs to reach their career goals. Whether your calling is leadership, research, consulting, or another exciting opportunity, this eight-week online course is for you. We also offer an online Family Nurse Practitioner, Doctor of Nursing Practice (FNP, DNP) program for nurses looking to move into advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) roles, such as NP.

Explore our graduate nursing programs and find out which nurse advancement opportunity is right for you.

Recommended Readings

Clinic vs. Hospital Nursing: Which One Should You Choose?

Why Critical Thinking Skills in Nursing Are Essential

DNP Project Guide: Ideas and Tips

Sources:

American Association of Colleges of Nursing, Schools of Nursing Enrollment Increases Across Most Program Levels, Signaling Strong Interest in Nursing Careers

American Nurses Association, What Is a Nurse Practitioner?

Cureus, “The Vital Role of Career Pathways in Nursing: A Key to Growth and Retention”

Indeed, “How to Become a Nurse Administrator (Plus Skills and Salary)”

Indeed, 12 Master of Nursing Jobs You Can Pursue With an MSN Degree

Lippincott NursingCenter, 5 Ways to Advance Your Nursing Career