Use our planner and map out your nursing career pathway
Every nursing career is unique. You may be considering nursing for the first time, beginning your professional practice, developing expertise in a specialty, exploring a different area of nursing or simply thinking about what comes next.
Aligned with the National Nursing Workforce Strategy, nursing career pathways support career mobility and flexibility, while helping students and nurses access education, training and development opportunities at every stage of their professional journey.
Built from the experience of nurses
Nursing Career Pathways has been developed to help you understand the breadth of opportunities across the nursing profession and identify the options most relevant to you. Developed by nurses, for nurses, and informed by evidence and professional experience, this resource brings together:
- 12 Nursing Career Pathways
- information about where and how nurses practise
- practical tools for career planning and development
- resources for wellbeing, selfcare and support
- links to pathway information, nurse experiences and professional resources
Nursing Career Pathways Planner
Download this map as a guide to help explore, navigate and plan your next step.
Career development is an ongoing journey. Discover practical tools and resources to help you plan your next steps, develop your capabilities and navigate your career with confidence.
Where should I start?
Choose the statement that best reflects what you would like to explore.
| I am | Suggested pathways |
|---|---|
| considering nursing as a career | Pathways into Nursing |
| beginning my nursing career | Early Career Nurse |
| exploring clinical roles | Nurses in Clinical Practice |
| building advanced clinical capability | Advanced Nursing Practice |
| interested in teaching or developing others | Nurses in Education |
| interested in discovery and evidence | Nurses in Research |
| interested in leading teams or services | Nurses in Management |
| interested in influencing the profession and health | Nurses in Policy & Advocacy |
| interested in improving or redesigning care | Nurses in Innovation and Improvement |
| interested in data, technology or digital health | Nurses in Informatics |
| interested in establishing a service or enterprise | Nurses in Business |
| interested in organisational or system leadership | Nurse Executives |
Explore the nursing career pathways
There are currently 12 nursing career pathways to explore, developed by nurses, for nurses, and informed by evidence and professional experience.
Pathways into
Nursing
Explore pathways into nursing in Australia, from becoming an enrolled nurse or registered nurse, to discovering study and career opportunities.
Early Career
Nurse
A career pathway focused on transitioning into professional practice, consolidating clinical capability, developing professional identity and building the confidence and judgement needed for a sustainable nursing career
Nurses in
Clinical Practice
A diverse and rewarding career pathway where nurses use clinical expertise, professional judgement and compassionate leadership, to provide clinical services, and improve the health and wellbeing of individuals, families and communities.
Advanced
Nursing Practice
A career pathway for clinical nurses who want to expand their scope of practice, increase autonomy and influence care, services and health outcomes at a broader level.
Nurses in
Education
A career pathway focused on supporting others to learn, grow and practise safely.
Nurses in
Research
A career pathway focused on generating, translating and applying evidence to improve care, outcomes and health systems.
Nurses in
Management
A career pathway focused on leading people, services and systems to enable safe, high-quality care.
Nurses in
Policy and Advocacy
A career pathway focused on influencing decisions, systems and reform to improve health outcomes, advance the nursing profession and strengthen health care.
Nurses in Innovation and Improvement
A career pathway focused on improving health care through redesign, implementation, innovation and system transformation.
Nurses in
Informatics
A career pathway focused on using data, information and digital technologies to improve care, outcomes and health systems.
Nurses in
Business
A career pathway focused on building, leading and sustaining health related enterprises, services and professional practices.
Nurse
Executives
A career pathway focused on leading organisations, influencing health systems and shaping the future of health care.
Explore more resources
We’re here to support your journey every step of the way.
Life & Work Transitions for Nurses
Explore practical information and resources to help you navigate career changes and significant life events throughout your nursing career.
Wellbeing, Self-Care and Support
Explore practical information and support services to help you maintain your wellbeing throughout your nursing career.
Professional Networks and Mentoring
Build professional connections, expand your network and explore mentoring opportunities that can support your nursing career.
Tools for Career Success
Practical tools and resources to help you find jobs, prepare applications, build your resume and prepare for interviews.
Nursing Career Planning Guide & Workbook
Plan your nursing career with confidence.
Built from the experiences of nurses
Nursing Career Pathways was shaped by the voices and experiences of nurses.
Throughout 2025, the Australian College of Nursing listened to almost 800 nurses across Australia, representing different career stages, registration types, specialties, settings and backgrounds. Nurses shared what helps them grow, what makes career decisions difficult and what they need to build sustainable careers.
A clear message emerged: there are many opportunities in nursing, but the path is not always easy to see or navigate. Nurses want to learn, contribute and progress, but workload, career uncertainty and limited visibility of opportunities can make planning for the future difficult.
The Nursing Pathways Report combines what nurses told us with research, workforce evidence, policy analysis and expert input. It highlights that career development is an important part of a sustainable nursing workforce, supporting confidence, wellbeing,
professional identity and retention.
Your experience matters. Your skills can take you in many directions. Start where you are. Explore what interests you, choose your next step.
“Nursing chose me as much as I chose it… to be there for people in their most vulnerable moments, offering compassion and human connection. 26 years in paediatrics has shaped my heart and purpose, caring for children and their families.”
Felicity | Nurse Practitioner | Paediatric Ward
Download the Nursing Pathways Report
Fill out the form below to access the report.
Acknowledgements
The Australian College of Nursing thanks its staff and the nearly 800 nurses who contributed to the development of Nursing Career Pathways.
ACN gratefully acknowledges this program was supported through the generous legacy of Dorothy Joan Durdin.
ISBN: 978-1-922720-67-2