The Career Path of a Nurse: From BSN to Advanced Practice
Imagine walking into a hospital for the first time as a nurse. A patient looks up with relief, a family member offers a grateful smile, and you feel the weight of trust placed in your hands. For someone who has carried a passion for helping others their entire life, this moment means more than a career choice, it is a calling that begins with the right nursing credentials.
To reach that moment, you need a foundation strong enough to support your goals. A Bachelor of Science in Nursing, or BSN, is that foundation. With a BSN, you gain the skills to provide safe, evidence-based care, the knowledge to navigate complex health care settings, and the preparation to pursue advanced practice roles in the future. It connects your dedication to service with the professional credibility to change lives every day.
The BSN also opens the door to stability in one of the most in-demand professions in the country. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of registered nurses is projected to grow five percent from 2024 to 2034, creating nearly 190,000 job openings each year.
Hospitals and health care systems are under immense pressure to fill these roles as retirements increase and patient needs expand.
For many employers, a BSN is now the preferred standard, making it not only a stepping stone but also a necessity for those entering the field. It positions you for every opportunity that nursing can offer, including advanced practice.
Where a BSN Program Can Take You
Earning a BSN is the beginning, not the finish line. Once you step into the profession, every shift becomes a classroom of its own. You sharpen your skills, learn to navigate complex patient cases, and begin to see the possibilities that extend beyond the bedside.
Hospitals increasingly recognize the value of BSN nursing graduates. A report from the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) noted that 77.4 percent of employers now require or strongly prefer nurses with a bachelor’s degree in nursing. If you are deciding where to study nursing, this statistic shows that choosing a BSN program is smarter than settling for an associate degree or another entry-level option because it prepares you for the real-world job market.
“Hospitals with a higher proportion of BSN-prepared nurses see better patient outcomes, including lower mortality rates and fewer complications,” notes the AACN.
This stage of your career is about growth. With every skill you add, you are not just advancing yourself, you are building the momentum that carries you toward advanced practice.
The Path to Advanced Practice Nursing
As your career grows, so do your options for what is possible. For many, the ultimate goal is to move beyond bedside care and step into advanced practice. This path offers greater autonomy, higher earning potential, and the ability to influence patient outcomes on a larger scale.
At Westcliff University’s College of Nursing, the BSN program is designed with these advanced opportunities in mind. From your first day in a BSN classroom to the moment you step into advanced practice, the path unfolds in clear, deliberate steps. For those seeking an accelerated path, Westcliff also offers the Entry-Level Master’s (ELM) program, which provides a direct route into advanced nursing practice.
Together, these programs show how the path unfolds step by step for aspiring nurses. They mark the starting point of a journey that can lead to advanced practice through steps like these:
1. Start with a BSN
Your undergraduate degree gives you the fundamental skills, knowledge, and professional credibility needed for entry into the field.
2. Pursue graduate study
Many nurses advance with a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP). Coursework often includes advanced pharmacology, pathophysiology, research methods, and leadership training.
3. Specialize as an APRN
With graduate preparation, you can become a:
- Nurse practitioner (NP)
- Clinical nurse specialist (CNS)
- Nurse midwife (CNM)
- Nurse anesthetist (CRNA)
Each role builds on what you first learned in a BSN nursing program and transforms it into advanced expertise.
4. Enter a high-demand field
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, nurse practitioners, nurse midwives, and nurse anesthetists earned a median wage of $132,050 in 2024. These roles are projected to grow 35 percent from 2024 to 2034, with NP positions alone expected to increase 46 percent.
For anyone weighing an entry-level option against a BSN, the answer is clear: a BSN opens doors to stronger demand and greater opportunities in nursing. Advanced practice becomes attainable through the foundational knowledge gained in a BSN program.
If you are ready to take that step but unsure which school is right for you, Westcliff University is here to guide your journey.
Your Future at Westcliff’s College of Nursing
Every nurse’s journey begins with a single choice: where to study. The right nursing school not only provides knowledge but also shapes the kind of professional you will become. At Westcliff’s College of Nursing, that choice means access to cutting-edge labs, faculty who mentor with real-world expertise, and classmates who share your drive to make an impact.
Westcliff’s BSN nursing program is built to prepare you for today’s health care demands and tomorrow’s opportunities. Through clinical training, hands-on labs, and a curriculum grounded in evidence-based practice, you will gain the skills and confidence needed to step directly into one of the most in-demand professions in the country. Choosing a BSN at Westcliff positions you expertly for your first role and for the advanced practice possibilities that follow.
To see what this preparation looks like in action, your next opportunity is almost here. On Saturday, October 4, 2025, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Westcliff will host a dynamic on-campus information session at the Corona Campus that will feature:
- Guided tours of state-of-the-art nursing facilities
- Face-to-face conversations with faculty and the admissions team
- In-depth details of Westcliff’s BSN program
- A chance to meet classmates who share your passion for nursing
RSVP today to reserve your place at this event.
Your career in nursing begins with one step, and at Westcliff, that step starts with a BSN and leads to a future filled with opportunity, including the advanced practice nursing roles that shape the future of health care.