The aim of this study was to generate knowledge of career progression for women professors of nursing, an under researched topic, in order to understand how their professional and personal experiences may have influenced their aspirations and opportunities for career success. This qualitative study gave voice to a small group of women professors of nursing through individual narrative semi-structured interviews, a relatively under-used methodology. The findings are anticipated to have currency in providing new perspectives on women professors of nursing and are presented as professional influences and social capital factors. This study introduces individual participant narratives, examining and considering these to explore if the career progression may have been affected by professional influences and social capital. The data is analysed using narrative analysis, a method examining both form and content and the findings are interpreted thematically as barriers or opportunities and categorised as adverse and advantageous factors to career success. From this a relationship map is developed with these factors drawn together and the resulting knowledge illustrated through a framework towards career progression for women professors of nursing. In generating theory about key factors in career progression, current discourses gain some illumination, such as mentoring, social change and equal opportunities in the workplace. The multiple roles of a nurse academic are expounded upon, with focus on the functions of teaching, research and administration. Opportunities for revisiting strategy and reinforcing equal opportunities in the workplace are identified. There are also implications for the redevelopment of formal role modelling and mentorship schemes. The study makes tentative claims to the development of new knowledge in the area of women professors of nursing, contributing to the broader discourse around recruitment and career development in higher education. The study illustrates the interplay between professional influences and social capital in achieving career success for these women professors of nursing.