Mapping Your Nursing Education Journey

A nursing career rarely follows a linear path. The educational and career trajectories of nurses are as varied as the people who enter the profession. For example, many enter healthcare through a hands-on support role, then go back to school. Others start with a nursing degree right away.

Either way, the most useful plan is one that treats nursing as a career ladder with clear rungs, not a single leap.

A smart nursing education pathway also accounts for licensure. In Minnesota and across the United States, state boards of nursing grant permission to practice and set requirements tied to education and testing. That structure helps protect patients and provides nurses with guidance on advancing their careers.

Start With Entry-Level Credentials

For many students, the first step is a nursing assistant role, often called a certified nursing assistant (CNA). CNA education is typically shorter than nursing degrees and is designed to build core bedside skills.

Nursing assistants often complete a state-approved program and then pass a competency exam to earn state certification, though exact requirements vary by state. CNAs play an essential role in providing care, helping patients with basic needs such as bathing, feeding, taking medications, and more.

Entering the nursing profession as a CNA matters because it helps people decide whether nursing is a good fit for them. It also builds comfort with patient interaction, teamwork, and the rhythms of clinical work. From there, students can decide whether to stay in support roles or climb the nursing career ladder into licensed nursing practice.

Move Into Practical Nursing

For many students, the next rung on the nursing career ladder is practical nursing. Licensed practical nurses (LPNs), called licensed vocational nurses (LVNs) in some states, provide basic medical care. Duties can include monitoring patients, reporting changes, and supporting care plans under the direction of RNs and physicians.

LPN education is usually delivered through approved practical nursing programs. After graduation, LPN candidates typically pursue licensure, which is how boards of nursing confirm competency for a defined scope of practice. Nursing licensure in the U.S. is closely tied to standardized exams such as the NCLEX, which assesses whether new graduates can practice safely.

Earn an RN Licensure and Choose an RN Degree

A registered nurse (RN) is a significant pivot point in the nursing education pathway. The Bureau of Labor Statistics notes that RNs commonly take one of three education paths: a bachelor’s degree in nursing, an associate’s degree in nursing, or a diploma from an approved nursing program.

RNs must be licensed. State boards of nursing issue licensure after determining that applicants meet the requirements for safe practice.

Common RN routes include:

• Associate degree in nursing (ADN) for RN eligibility
• Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) for broader preparation
• LPN-to-RN bridge options where available, building on prior nursing education

Once licensed, many RNs later return to complete an RN-to-BSN program. That step often supports advancement into leadership paths and specialized roles.

Plan for BSN, MSN, and DNP Growth

A BSN can expand opportunities even for already-licensed RNs. The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) notes that BSN education supports the full scope of nursing responsibilities across settings and includes coursework focused on professional development and system-level understanding.

Graduate education is where the nursing career ladder branches into advanced roles. AACN explains that master’s nursing programs prepare nurses for advanced roles in areas such as administration, teaching, informatics, research, and direct patient care.

At the top of the practice-focused pathway is the doctor of nursing practice (DNP). AACN describes the DNP as a terminal degree in nursing practice and an alternative to research-focused doctoral programs, with an emphasis on fully implementing evidence into care and systems.

How St. Catherine University’s Programs Connect the Nursing Career Ladder

St. Catherine University’s nursing site offers multiple pathways and flexible formats, including online, hybrid, and on-campus options across undergraduate and graduate studies. St. Kate’s offers programs for every stage of a nursing career, from CNA certificates to BSN pathways, RN-to-BSN completion, and graduate degrees.

St. Kate’s also provides accelerated RN-to-BSN and dual RN-BSN-MSN degree programs. These programs offer streamlined, flexible pathways for advancement. The dual RN-BSN-MSN program allows students to pursue graduate studies while completing their undergraduate studies. Both programs allow nurses to advance their careers as efficiently as possible so they can continue the work they love.

Examples encompass an RN-to-BSN completion program for licensed RNs and multiple MSN routes, including an entry-level MSN for non-nursing graduates, as well as MSN tracks in nurse educator, data analytics, and nursing business management.

For experienced nurses ready to move into advanced practice and systems leadership, St. Kate’s also lists DNP pathways, including a post-master’s DNP and several nurse practitioner-focused DNP options.