Background. The career ladder is an essential process for nursing professionals, designed to enhance professionalism and improve the quality of nursing practice. Career ladders are achieved through continuing professional development (CPD) and have implications for professionalism, career advancement, job satisfaction, and patient care. Objective. This study aimed to identify the role and benefits of career ladders in professional development within nursing practice and careers. Methods. We conducted a systematic review by searching four online databases (PubMed, ScienceDirect, Scopus, and ProQuest) for English-language articles published between 2000 and 2024. The search used the keywords/MeSH terms “[career ladder]” OR “[career choice]” AND “[nursing]” AND “[professional].” Results. Eleven studies met the inclusion criteria and described career ladder programs related to career growth, career choice, and nursing career mapping. Six studies used a cross-sectional design, one used a cohort design, and four employed qualitative designs. Conclusion. Career ladders generally improve nursing professionalism, particularly among professionals who have completed a career ladder program. However, several studies also highlight the importance of career ladders for novice nurses in planning their careers. A key limitation of this review is its focus on nursing careers, while other factors may also influence the professionalism of nursing professionals. © 2026, Social Medicine Publishing Group. All rights reserved.