Top 5 Careers for CNAs Looking for Advancement

  • Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) Licensed practical nurses work under the direction of doctors and registered nurses. …
  • Registered Nurse (RN) …
  • Nursing Home Administrator. …
  • Geriatric Care Manager. …
  • Nurse Educator or Professor.

Also How do I advance as a CNA?


CNA – Career Advancement Options

  1. Registered Nurse or Licensed Practical Nurse. Become a Nursing Assistant (CNA) …
  2. Nursing Home Administrator. Some CNAs do more than progress through the CNA career ladder – they become administrators. …
  3. Geriatric Care Manager.

Subsequently, What comes after being a CNA? As a CNA, you can take the next step to become either an LPN or a licensed vocational nurse (LVN). Both are excellent choices, as these careers are estimated to grow by 12%, or 88,900 jobs, over the next five to seven years.

What are similar jobs to a nurse?
Similar Professions to Nursing

  • Medical Assistant. A medical assistant is a certified healthcare professional that takes on both administrative and clinical tasks in a medical practice. …
  • Dental Hygienist. …
  • Histology Technician. …
  • Respiratory Therapist. …
  • Occupational Therapy Assistant.

What is the CNA career path?

How to Advance Your Career as a CNA. While some CNAs will stay in the role for many years, others may consider the position to be a stepping-stone to another career. These CNAs may become licensed practical nurses (LPNs), registered nurses (RNs), or healthcare specialists in related fields.

Whats the next step up from a CNA?

As a CNA, you can take the next step to become either an LPN or a licensed vocational nurse (LVN). Both are excellent choices, as these careers are estimated to grow by 12%, or 88,900 jobs, over the next five to seven years.

What is higher than a CNA?

LPNs provide a higher level of care than a CNA in most settings. They work under the supervision of registered nurses (RNs) and physicians monitoring patients, administering first aid, and updating health records. CNAs provide basic care and help patients with daily living tasks under the direction of LPNs and RNs.

How do I go from CNA to RN?

The fastest and most efficient way of becoming an RN is enrolling in a CNA to RN bridge program. These programs allow you to earn your associate degree in nursing (ADN) in as little as one year. Since you’ve already taken some of the required courses, the RN program completion time can be reduced.

Can I go from CNA to RN?

CNA to RN programs allow nurse assistants to enroll in the RN program and not have to repeat unnecessary courses. An RN program can take between two and four years to complete. For CNAs entering the RN program, the time to completion is reduced, sometimes by about six months.

How can a CNA become a LPN?

CNA’s are not licensed, but usually must pass a competency examination and register with their state’s board of nursing. A CNA who wishes to be licensed as an LPN will need to apply to and be accepted by an LPN certificate or diploma course. Community colleges, as well as private vocational schools, offer LPN programs.

What is the closest major to nursing?

Other Health Professions Majors

Major Annual Degrees Awarded

Allied Health Professions
49,265
Health & Medical Administrative Services 48,523
Public Health 35,375
Rehabilitation & Therapeutic Professions 28,237

Can you make a living off being a CNA?

Certified nursing assistants (CNA) make a median annual salary of $28,540, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2018). … CNA in the highest 10% of earners actually made more than $39,560 yearly.

Are there different levels of CNA?

CNAs do not perform nursing duties, but rather assist with healthcare related tasks and act as a liaison between patients and nurses. There are two levels: CNA 1 and CNA 2. Both require state certification; however, should one desire to work in a hospital setting, a CNA 2 certification is required.

Who makes more money CNA or LPN?

CNAs do tend to earn less than LPNs, with the BLS reporting a 2018 median annual salary of $28,530, but they can train and hit the workforce faster than LPNs (or any other nursing-related role). Nursing assistant positions will see job growth too, with a projected 9 percent growth in opportunities from 2018–2028.

What are the levels of nursing from lowest to highest?


4 main levels of nursing degrees and credentials

  1. Nursing assistant (CNA) Nursing assistants also go by the title of nursing aides or CNAs (Certified Nursing Assistants). …
  2. Licensed practical nurse (LPN) …
  3. Registered nurse (RN) …
  4. Advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs)

Who gets paid more CNA or PCT?

PCT vs.

While patient care technicians typically earn more money than certified nursing assistants due to their additional training and increased job responsibilities, both careers can offer good salaries and employment opportunities.

Is LVN higher than CNA?

In other places, CNAs take the above responsibilities, and LVNs supervise them. The job roles and responsibilities of LVNs include, but are not limited to, the care of the sick and recovering patients.

Who gets paid more CNA or RN?

Since RN programs are longer and more involved, RNs tend to earn higher salaries than CNAs. The BLS reports the median annual salary for RNs in 2018 was $71,730, while the median annual salary for CNAs was $28,530. In both cases, salaries vary based on experience, geographic location, and industry.

Is it better to become a CNA before an RN?

Many nurses started out as CNAs and recommend CNA training prior to becoming a nurse. They report that nursing school was easier, they had less trouble finding a job and it helped them be better nurses.

Is being a CNA harder than being a nurse?

It’s more likely you’ll count nursing assistant supervision among your major duties if you provide long-term or post-acute care. In some ways, being an RN is a lot harder than being a CNA. You have more decisions to make and more in the way of judgement calls. In some ways, though, being a CNA can feel harder.

Does being a CNA help you in nursing school?

While it’s very beneficial to become a CNA before going to nursing school, by no means is it mandatory. … Being a CNA will give you a leg-up in the classroom and in your hands-on clinicals in nursing school. It’s a great way to start nursing school with a working knowledge of what goes on in hospitals and nursing homes.

What is the fastest way to become an LPN?

The fastest way to become a licensed practical nurse (LPN) is to enroll in a vocational school diploma program. Full-time students are ready to work in months, not years, and graduates qualify for the same professional credentials as students completing degree programs.

Do I have to be a CNA before LPN?

CNA to LPN

A CNA must pass a certification exam before she can practice, and in most states must complete continuing education courses to maintain the certification. No state requires you to be a CNA to enter an LPN program.