As the healthcare landscape continues to evolve, so does my role as the APRN Education & Faculty Outreach Program Manager, in supporting you—both current students and recent graduates. The need for skilled, innovative, and visionary Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) has never been greater.

Tonya L. Page, DNP, APRN, ACNP-BC, LSSGB, FCCS-C
APRN Educational & Faculty Outreach Program Manager

As the next generation of healthcare providers, your role carries tremendous responsibility, but also offers a meaningful journey filled with personal growth and the development of essential skills. Your path as an APRN may begin at the bedside or in a frontline care setting, but it doesn’t have to end there. There are countless opportunities for your role to expand with endless possibilities. Remember our team is here to help you throughout your professional and academic journey. Stay connected with us by visiting our Meet the Team page:

As a fellow APRN, I am proud of the steps you’re taking and the direction you're heading—toward a fulfilling and impactful career, both now and in the future. 

While APRN education rigorously prepares students to step into clinical roles, the journey from graduation to leadership is often less defined. Cultivating upcoming APRN leaders requires intentional career development. This begins the moment an APRN steps into their first role. Let the following steps serve as a framework for building your journey toward success:

👩‍🎓Step 1- Bridging the Gap: From Student to Practicing APRN 

The transition from APRN student to practicing provider is a pivotal moment in a nurse's career. Many graduates face challenges such as: 

• Navigating credentialing and privileging processes.
• Adjusting to expanded scope and accountability.
• Experiencing imposter syndrome.
• Finding mentorship in clinical or organizational settings. 

New APRNs need structured onboarding, mentorship, and peer support to ease this transition. Institutions that invest in these are more likely to retain APRNs and cultivate future leaders. 

💉Step 2- Building Confidence and Competence 

Early-career APRNs often focus on developing clinical expertise. However, it is equally important to begin building foundational leadership skills, and community involvement, offer APRNs opportunities to lead and influence beyond the bedside. 

• Local association/affiliations, State affiliations & National affiliations.
• Effective communication and conflict resolution, with interdisciplinary partners.
• Impact on organizational quality improvement and data-driven decision-making.
• Advocacy on health policy literacy that directly impacts patient populations.
• Participation in shared governance councils, quality committees, or professional organizations. 

🙋Step3- Mentorship and Role Modeling 

A key predictor of leadership success is access to strong role models and mentors. Experienced APRNs and nurse leaders should actively identify and nurture leadership potential in experienced mentors. Mentorship relationships provide: 

• Career coaching and networking.
• Support navigating workplace dynamics.
• Encouragement to pursue stretch roles or advanced training.

Mentorship is not only valuable, but also transformative. It helps APRNs see themselves not just as providers, but as leaders and agents of change within healthcare systems. 

🏅Step-4 Leveraging Certifications and Advanced Education 

Professional certification and continued education can further elevate APRNs into leadership roles. Obtaining specialty credentials, pursuing doctoral education (e.g., DNP or PhD), or participating in fellowship programs opens doors to: 

• Executive, leader, or administrative roles. Supporting ANCC certifications include: 
  • Nurse Executive (NE-BC®)
  • Nurse Executive, Advanced (NEA-BC®)
    
  • Nursing Professional Development (NPD-BC™)
• Academic and research careers (PhD)
• Policy and advocacy leadership roles (DNP) 

APRNs should be encouraged to view lifelong learning as a leadership tool.

✍️Step 5-Stay focused on your Pathways to Leadership 

APRNs can ascend into diverse leadership roles, including: 

• Clinical Leaders (e.g., Lead NP, Clinical Program Director)
• Educators and Preceptors (e.g., Faculty, Clinical Instructors)
• Policy Advocates (e.g., Legislative liaisons, board appointments, Committee members)
• Quality Improvement Managers (CPHQ)
• Executives (e.g., Chief Nursing Officers, Chief of Advanced Practice, or Chief Operations Officer) 

These roles require confidence, clarity of purpose, and a commitment to continuous growth. Overall, APRNs are uniquely positioned to lead changes in healthcare through:

Tonya L. Page, DNP, APRN, ACNP-BC, LSSGB, FCCS-C
APRN Educational & Faculty Outreach Program Manager
&
Katelyn Bern, MA
Outreach Engagement Manager & Tradeshow Liaison

• Innovation & Technology
• Policy & Advocacy
• Promoting Excellence in Patient-Centered Care
• Education & Mentorship
• Impactful Collaboration
• Conducting & Contributing Research
• Motivation & Storytelling: We have opportunities for you to share your story:  

By supporting APRN students from graduation through early career and into leadership roles, we are investing not just in individual success, but in the resilience, diversity, and strength of the nursing profession. Leadership is a mindset, not just a skill. When we start nurturing that mindset early, we empower one another. 

I look forward to continuing our partnership as you advance in your nursing career. Please know that my team and I are here to support you every step of the way. If you decide to pursue ANCC certification, I encourage you to explore the certifications we offer. Remember, earning certification is more than a milestone—it represents a lifelong commitment to professional growth. Through ongoing renewal requirements, certification helps you continually enhance your knowledge, strengthen your skills, and stay current in your practice.

Article by:
Tonya L. Page, DNP, APRN, ACNP-BC, LSSGB, FCCS-C
APRN Educational & Faculty Outreach Program Manager

I hope you found this information helpful and wish you the best of luck in your future academic and professional endeavors. Should you decide to pursue certification through ANCC, I strongly recommend visiting our Certification FAQs page and to also take advantage of the below promo codes: