Nurses’ Career Progression and Career Success: A Scoping Review of Conceptualisation and Associated Workforce Conditions
Elizabeth Bukola Ogunsemo, Jude Ominyi, Noreen Cushen-BrewsterBackground
Conceptual inconsistency exists in nursing literature, with career progression, career advancement, career success, professional development and career fulfilment defined and applied in varying ways. This ambiguity blurs important distinctions and limits the comparison and interpretation of findings. This scoping review mapped how career progression and career success have been conceptualised and measured and synthesised the organisational and workforce factors reported in relation to these outcomes.
Methods
We conducted a scoping review using the Arksey and O′Malley framework. PubMed/MEDLINE, CINAHL Complete, PsycINFO, Scopus and Web of Science were searched. Data were charted and synthesised using a descriptive thematic approach. Reporting followed the PRISMA Extension for Scoping Reviews.
Results
Of 2504 records identified, 20 studies were included. Studies included qualitative, quantitative and mixed‐method designs. Career progression was represented by movement through grades, roles or responsibilities, whereas objective career success concerned observable achievements and subjective career success concerned personal evaluations of achievement, recognition or fulfilment. Professional development, identity, belonging and intention to remain were related constructs rather than interchangeable outcomes. Reported factors were organised into five descriptive themes: organisational career infrastructure; leadership and managerial conditions; workforce environment; social and relational conditions; and individual resources and career behaviours.
Conclusion
The literature reports relationships between career‐related outcomes and conditions at individual, relational, organisational and workforce levels, but it does not establish causal or hierarchical effects. Conceptual inconsistency, contextual heterogeneity and the absence of prospective longitudinal and intervention evidence restrict causal interpretation and transferability.
Implications for Nursing Management
Findings support consideration of transparent career pathways, equitable access to development, recognition of prior expertise, supportive career conversations and adequate practice environments. These approaches may be considered within local workforce systems but require prospective evaluation because direct evidence that they improve career progression, retention or workforce sustainability remains limited.