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Nursing Careers and Jobs (2026)
Key takeaway: A nursing degree opens a wide ladder of careers, from licensed practical nurse and registered nurse to advanced practice roles like nurse practitioner and nurse anesthetist. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, registered nurses earn a median $97,550 a year, while nurse anesthetists earn a median $236,590 -- and your role and pay scale directly with your credential level.
Few fields offer the range of career options that nursing does. The same foundational license – the registered nurse credential – can lead to bedside hospital work, community and public health, specialized advanced practice, clinical leadership, informatics, or teaching the next generation of nurses. Because nursing is a regulated, licensed profession, the jobs you can hold are tied closely to the degree you complete and the certifications you earn, which makes mapping your career path a useful first step before you enroll.
This guide walks through the top nursing career paths, what each role does, which jobs match each degree level, the demand outlook, and the skills employers consistently look for. For an overview of programs and how to enroll, start with the Online Nursing Programs Guide.
Quick Answers
What jobs can you get with a nursing degree?
A nursing degree qualifies you for roles including licensed practical nurse, registered nurse, nurse practitioner, nurse anesthetist, nurse midwife, and nursing assistant support roles. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, these occupations carry median annual wages ranging from $42,260 for nursing assistants to $236,590 for nurse anesthetists. Which roles you can hold depends on your degree level and licensure.
What is the highest-paying nursing career?
Nurse anesthetists are the highest-paid nursing role, with a Bureau of Labor Statistics median annual wage of $236,590. This is an advanced practice role that requires a graduate degree and national certification. Nurse midwives ($134,040 median) and nurse practitioners ($132,300 median) follow as the next highest-earning advanced practice paths.
What can you do with an associate nursing degree?
An associate degree in nursing (ADN) prepares you to sit for the NCLEX-RN and work as a registered nurse, the role the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports at a median $97,550 a year. It is the fastest entry point to RN practice. Many nurses later complete an RN-to-BSN bridge to expand their opportunities.
Do you need a master’s degree to advance in nursing?
Yes, for advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) roles. Nurse practitioner, nurse anesthetist, nurse midwife, and clinical nurse specialist careers all require a master’s degree or higher plus national certification. Many leadership, education, and informatics roles also expect a graduate credential.
Which nursing careers are growing fastest?
Advanced practice roles – particularly nurse practitioners – are among the fastest-growing healthcare occupations, driven by an aging population and expanded access to primary care. Registered nursing remains one of the largest occupations in the country by total employment, generating substantial annual openings across hospitals and outpatient settings.
How do I choose a nursing career path?
Match the role to the degree you are willing to complete and the work you enjoy. If you want direct patient care quickly, an RN path through an associate or bachelor’s degree fits. If you want autonomy, prescriptive authority, or specialization, plan toward a master’s and a concentration.
Top career paths
Nursing careers span entry-level support roles to highly specialized advanced practice positions. The roles below are the core occupations a nursing education prepares you for, with median wages from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. For full salary detail, percentile ranges, and the data-driven wage table, see the Nursing Salary Guide.
Registered nurse
Registered nurses (RNs) are the backbone of patient care. They assess patients, administer medications and treatments, operate and monitor medical equipment, coordinate care with physicians and specialists, and educate patients and families about managing conditions. RNs work in hospitals, clinics, surgical centers, schools, home health, and community organizations. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, registered nurses earn a median $97,550 a year. The RN credential is the gateway to virtually every advanced nursing role.
Nurse practitioner
Nurse practitioners (NPs) are advanced practice registered nurses who diagnose conditions, order and interpret tests, develop treatment plans, and – in many states – prescribe medication and practice with significant autonomy. NPs often serve as primary care providers, especially in underserved and rural areas. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a median wage of $132,300 a year for nurse practitioners. This role requires a master’s degree and national certification, often in a population focus such as the family nurse practitioner or adult-gerontology track.
Nurse anesthetist
Certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs) administer anesthesia and manage patients before, during, and after surgical, diagnostic, and obstetric procedures. They are among the most highly trained and autonomous nurses, frequently serving as the sole anesthesia provider in rural hospitals. The Bureau of Labor Statistics lists a median wage of $236,590 a year for nurse anesthetists, the highest of any nursing role. CRNA practice requires a graduate degree and rigorous national certification.
Nurse midwife
Certified nurse midwives (CNMs) provide gynecological care, family planning, prenatal care, labor and delivery support, and newborn care. They combine clinical expertise with a focus on patient education and shared decision-making. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a median wage of $134,040 a year for nurse midwives. Like other APRN roles, nurse midwifery requires a master’s degree and national certification.
Licensed practical nurse
Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses (LPNs/LVNs) provide basic nursing care – monitoring vital signs, administering certain medications, assisting with daily living activities, and reporting patient status to RNs and physicians. LPN programs are shorter than RN pathways, making this a fast entry into healthcare. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a median wage of $64,400 a year for licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses. Many LPNs use bridge programs to become RNs.
Nursing assistant
Nursing assistants (often certified nursing assistants, or CNAs) provide hands-on support such as bathing, feeding, mobility assistance, and monitoring patients under the supervision of nurses. The role is a common entry point into healthcare and a way to confirm interest in nursing before committing to a degree. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a median wage of $42,260 a year for nursing assistants.
| Role | BLS median annual wage | Typical education |
|---|---|---|
| Nurse anesthetist | $236,590 | Graduate degree + certification |
| Nurse midwife | $134,040 | Master’s + certification |
| Nurse practitioner | $132,300 | Master’s + certification |
| Registered nurse | $97,550 | Associate or bachelor’s |
| Licensed practical nurse | $64,400 | Diploma or certificate |
| Nursing assistant | $42,260 | Postsecondary certificate |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, national median annual wages. See the Nursing Salary Guide for full wage detail.
Careers by degree level
In nursing, your degree determines which jobs you can legally hold. Mapping roles to credentials helps you plan the most direct path to your target career.
Associate degree roles
An associate degree in nursing (ADN) is the fastest route to becoming a registered nurse. After completing an ADN and passing the NCLEX-RN, graduates can work as RNs in hospitals, long-term care, clinics, and home health. The associate level is also where many LPNs and nursing assistants advance their careers. According to College Scorecard data (generated June 2026), associate-level nursing programs report a median debt of about $15,439 and median earnings of $67,894 one year after completion across 378 reporting schools – a strong return for a two-year credential.
Common associate-level roles:
- Registered nurse (ADN-prepared)
- Bridge from LPN or CNA to RN
- Bedside, long-term care, and clinic nursing
Bachelor’s degree roles
A bachelor’s degree in nursing (BSN) is increasingly the preferred credential for hospital RN positions, and many employers and Magnet-designated hospitals favor or require it. The BSN qualifies graduates for the same RN licensure as an ADN but adds depth in leadership, community and public health, research, and care coordination – expanding access to charge nurse, public health nurse, and case management roles. A BSN is also the standard prerequisite for graduate study and advanced practice.
Common bachelor’s-level roles:
- Registered nurse (BSN-prepared)
- Public and community health nurse
- Charge nurse and care coordinator
- Pathway to graduate and APRN study
Master’s degree and beyond
A master’s degree in nursing (MSN) unlocks advanced practice registered nurse roles – nurse practitioner, nurse anesthetist, nurse midwife, and clinical nurse specialist – as well as leadership, education, and informatics positions. These are the highest-paying and most autonomous nursing careers. College Scorecard data (generated June 2026) shows master’s-level nursing programs report median earnings of about $107,358 one year after completion across 138 reporting schools, rising to roughly $119,619 by five years out. Doctoral programs report even higher early-career median earnings, near $125,952 one year after completion.
Common graduate-level roles:
- Nurse practitioner (family, adult-gerontology, psychiatric-mental health)
- Nurse anesthetist and nurse midwife
- Nurse educator
- Nursing leadership and administration
- Nursing informatics
Explore all specialization options on the Nursing Concentrations hub.
Job outlook and demand
Nursing is one of the most in-demand career fields in the United States, and demand is broad across both entry-level and advanced practice roles. While the project’s verified data set does not store specific occupational growth projections for these nursing roles, several structural factors consistently drive hiring.
View the data behind this chart
| Occupation | Avg. annual openings |
|---|---|
| Nursing Assistant | 204,100/yr |
| Registered Nurse | 189,100/yr |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | 54,400/yr |
| Nurse Practitioner | 29,500/yr |
| Nurse Anesthetist | 2,700/yr |
| Nurse Midwife | 500/yr |
- An aging population increases the need for care across hospitals, long-term care, and home settings, expanding demand for RNs, LPNs, and nursing assistants.
- Expanded access to primary care has elevated the role of nurse practitioners, who increasingly serve as primary care providers, especially in rural and underserved communities.
- Workforce turnover and retirements create substantial replacement demand, generating ongoing openings even where employment growth is steady rather than rapid.
- Specialization needs in anesthesia, midwifery, mental health, informatics, and education sustain demand for graduate-prepared nurses.
Because registered nursing is one of the largest occupations in the country by total employment, it produces a high volume of annual job openings nationwide. For current, year-specific projection figures, consult the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook directly. To weigh demand against cost and time commitment, see Is a Nursing Degree Worth It?.
Skills employers want
Beyond clinical competence, nursing employers consistently look for a mix of technical, interpersonal, and judgment-based skills. Strengthening these during your program and clinical rotations improves both employability and patient outcomes.
| Skill area | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Clinical assessment | Accurately evaluating patient status drives every care decision |
| Pharmacology and medication safety | Safe administration and monitoring prevent harm |
| Communication and patient education | Clear teaching improves adherence and outcomes |
| Critical thinking and clinical judgment | Prioritizing and responding under pressure is core to nursing |
| Technology and informatics | Electronic health records and digital tools are now standard |
| Collaboration and teamwork | Care is delivered by interdisciplinary teams |
| Cultural competence and empathy | Patient-centered care depends on trust and understanding |
| Adaptability and resilience | High-stakes, fast-changing environments demand composure |
Advanced practice roles add expectations for diagnostic reasoning, prescriptive decision-making, and increasing autonomy. Leadership and education tracks emphasize mentoring, program management, and evidence-based practice. The Nursing Curriculum page details how programs build these competencies across coursework and clinical hours.
Next Steps
You now have a map of nursing careers, the degrees that unlock them, and the skills employers reward. To plan your path:
- Compare verified wage detail across every role on the Nursing Salary Guide, and understand how to pay for your program with the Nursing Financial Aid guide.
- Explore the full range of online programs and degree levels through the Online Colleges hub to find accredited schools that fit your goals.
- If you are drawn to community and population health, consider a related path in the broader Healthcare programs guide.
Ready to specialize? Browse the Nursing Concentrations hub to match a focus area – from family nurse practitioner to nursing informatics – to the career you want.
Data verified: June 27, 2026. Salary, employment, and tuition figures on this page are sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OEWS May 2025; Employment Projections 2024–2034) and the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (2023 cohort). The source agency and data year are cited inline with every statistic.