CNA to RN: 4 Steps to Advance Your Nursing Career
If you’re a certified nursing assistant (CNA), you’ve probably worked with registered nurses (RNs). Becoming an RN is a great option for advancing your career in patient care. And as an assistant, you already have several essential skills that nurses need to succeed in acute and post-acute care settings. But what are the steps to go from CNA to RN?
If you’re willing to put some time and energy into the education, becoming an RN is a pathway towards higher pay, more job responsibility, and more career options. And accelerated programs can help you become an RN fast. Here’s four steps towards becoming a registered nurse.
What’s the Difference Between CNAs and RNs?
As a CNA, you’re an essential member of the care team. You communicate with RNs and LPNs, assist patients with activities of daily living (ADLs), gather vitals, and keep the unit running. But everyone has their own specific roles in medicine, and it might not be clear what the RNs around you are responsible for.
Here’s a table laying out the education, titles, and responsibilities of these two levels of nursing:
| Education and Testing |
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| Certification/License | CNA is a certification and/or a title on a state-wide registry | RN is a legal license |
| Job Responsibilities |
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| Job Settings |
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CNA job settings, as well as:
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RNs have more education and responsibility than CNAs. They can also work in more varied job settings, so there are many options if you’d prefer to work in a non-bedside nursing role.
Comparing CNA to RN Salary and Job Outlook
If you want to make more money, going from CNA to RN can help you do just that. On average, a CNA salary in the U.S. is $39,610 per year. An RN salary, on the other hand, averages $94,480 per year, and many make more depending on certifications, experience, area, and specialty. Going back to school for a nursing degree could more than double your income.
These are the top paying states for CNAs:
RNs make the highest salaries in these states:
Both CNAs and RNs have relatively stable job outlooks, but nurses might have more options in the coming years. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects RN jobs to grow by 6%, which is faster than other industries. CNA jobs are expected to grow 4% in comparison.
How to Go From CNA to RN: 4 Steps
Step 1: Choose Your Degree Track
If you want to go back to school to become an RN, here’s what to know about the differences between two nursing programs — ADN and BSN:
| Time | 2 years, or accelerated programs can take as little as 8–9 months | 2–4 years, or accelerated programs can take 1–2 years (only available if you already have an undergraduate degree) |
| Where They’re Offered | Community colleges, technical schools, and private programs | Universities and private colleges |
| Cost | $3,000–$40,000 | $9,375–$27,091 |
Another option is to get your ADN and take an ADN-to-BSN bridge program. These part-time programs are often online and designed for working nurses. Some facilities will even pay for you to go back to school for your BSN.
Steps 2: Complete the Application Requirements
Depending on your academic background, you might need to complete some prerequisite courses before starting nursing school. Once you’ve decided on a degree path and a school, look up their prerequisite requirements to know what courses you need to take. CNA to RN requirements often include:
- Chemistry
- Biology
- Psychology
- Sociology
- Anatomy and physiology
- Microbiology
- Statistics
Some institutions also require a qualifying standardized exam along with your prerequisites. The TEAS test is the Test of Essential Academic Skills, and it’s common among nursing schools. Another is the HESI A2 test (Health Education Systems Incorporated), which is specific to nursing schools.
Nursing school is competitive, and you might need to take the exam more than once. Find more information about getting into nursing school here.
Step 3: Graduate From Nursing School
In nursing school, you’ll learn critical nursing process skills, like how to build and evaluate a nursing care plan. You’ll take classes like pharmacology, assessments, pediatrics, obstetrics, and more. Many RNs describe nursing school as one of the most challenging steps of becoming a nurse. Learn more about getting through nursing school.
Step 4: Pass the Licensure Exam
Once you’ve graduated, you’ll take the NCLEX-RN to become a registered nurse. This exam assesses your knowledge as an entry-level nurse, and you’ll want to prepare well for it. Once you pass, congratulations! You can apply to your state board of nursing for your RN license.
CNA to RN: Frequently Asked Questions
Do you have to be a CNA before becoming an RN?
No, many nurses go straight to RN. In some states, nursing students who have gone through one or more semesters of nursing school can become CNAs without taking an extra exam. You can also consider becoming a licensed practical nurse (LPN) on your journey to becoming an RN, as the roles have some key similarities and differences.
How long are CNA to RN programs?
Depending on whether you pursue an ADN or a BSN program, getting a nursing degree will take you between one to four years.
What schools offer CNA to RN bridge programs?
A few private institutions call their programs CNA to RN programs, but this is a misnomer. These programs are offering associate degrees specifically marketed to CNAs. Their curriculum is the same as community colleges and technical schools. While CNA to RN bridge programs online might be flexible and offer some or all courses remotely, you’ll still need to complete in-person clinical rotations.
Some ADN and BSN schools offer incentives for CNAs who are pursuing nursing school. For example, some nursing schools reward nurse aids by making it easier for them to enter a nursing program. But once you enter, you’ll be enrolled in the same curriculum as your non-CNA peers.
Career Opportunities for CNAs, RNs, and more
Going from CNA to RN is a great option if you want to make more money and have more job options in the future. No matter which of these healthcare paths you choose, IntelyCare has opportunities for you. Sign up for nursing job alerts to get tailored recommendations right in your inbox.