Nursing career frameworks to support career progression: A scoping review

This review aimed to identify, examine, and synthesize current literature on global nursing career frameworks and identify key attributes that effectively support nurses' career progression.

A scoping review guided by Arksey and O'Malley's framework and Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) best practice guidance for protocol development and reporting. A comprehensive search was conducted across MEDLINE (Ovid), CINAHL (EBSCOhost), Scopus, APA PsycINFO (Ovid), grey literature, and websites of key professional nursing organisations. Sources were included if they were reported in English and focused on the nursing profession and career progression, structured career planning, or career pathway frameworks. Data were synthesized using thematic analysis.

From the 1,159 identified, 12 sources were included. Key attributes of nursing career frameworks that support career progression were identified, including self-directed career planning, clear pathways and role definition, strong leadership and collaborative networks, workforce issues, and prioritizing nurse well-being.

Nursing career frameworks appear to offer strategies that complement workforce recruitment and retention. Such frameworks can provide structured guidance, promote diverse career opportunities, and foster a sustainable nursing workforce.