Moving Up

Today’s nursing shortage has created a need for more nurses, and more with advanced degrees, right now. Whether you’re a practicing nurse looking to advance your career, or you’re coming back after time away from the profession, there are steps you can take to get to a new level.
  • If you’re ready to grow in your nursing career, here are some things you can do:

  • Get an advanced degree

    If you’re a Licensed Practical Nurse, becoming a Registered Nurse opens the doors to over 100 specialty areas. If you’ve got your Bachelor of Science in Nursing and want to take on a leadership role or an Advanced Practice specialty, getting your Master’s is the way to go. If you want to teach or conduct research, you can go for your PhD or DNP.

    Here are some schools that offer advanced degrees:

    • Assabet Valley Regional Technical School

      • Degree: LPN
      • School type: Public
      • Location: Northeast

      see more
    • Truckee Meadows Community College

      • Degree: ASN
      • School type: Public
      • Location: West

      see more
    • Gateway Community College

      • Degree: ASN
      • School type: Public
      • Location: Southwest

      see more
  • Sign up for Continuing Education

    Many hospitals offer Continuing Education (CE) courses through local nursing schools and universities. Check out what your hospital, or medical facility, has to offer, and also sign up for the free Continuing Education program from Johnson & Johnson’s Campaign for Nursing’s Future and Nursing Spectrum/NurseWeek.

    Every year in May, in celebration of Nurse’s Week, a new free program is offered. It’s available to take throughout the year, until the next program starts the following May.

    Take this year’s free course
  • If you’ve taken a break and want to get back into nursing,
    here are some ways to do it:

  • Take refresher courses

    These classes will teach you about the current state of the profession, the latest techniques and technologies, and refresh the skills you learned in nursing school. They’ll prepare you for the job you want, in nursing. There are 322 schools that offer refresher courses. Here are a few:

    • Holy Names University

      • Degree: RN-to-BSN, BSN, MSN, Nurse Practioner
      • School type: Private
      • Location: West

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    • University of Massachusetts - Boston

      • Degree: RN-to-BSN, Accelerated BSN, BSN, MSN, PhD, DSN/DNP, Nurse Practioner
      • School type: Public
      • Location: Northeast

      see more
    • George Mason University

      • Degree: RN-to-BSN, LPN-to-BSN, Accelerated BSN, BSN, MSN, RN-to-MSN, PhD, Nurse Practioner
      • School type: Public
      • Location: South

      see more
  • Contact local hospitals

    You can also contact local hospitals, nursing schools and nurse recruiters for more information on refresher courses, and other ways to help you get back in to nursing.
    Find hospitals near you at HospitalConnect.com

    If you haven’t been able to work because of an illness or disability, you might be eligible for a grant from Nurse’s House, a national fund for nurses in need.
    Find funding at NursesHouse.org