career ladder, 1. (in nursing education) a pathway for upward mobility that begins with a program that grants an Associate Degree in Nursing. On completion of this basic level, the candidate may continue up the ladder, to earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, and then to the graduate level to earn a master’s degree and a doctoral degree in nursing. 2. (in a field of study) a pathway for advancement in the professional role in an institution. Many facilities provide detailed advice to their staffs in regard to assuming more responsibilities within their scope of practice to allow for career advancement.
