Many people begin their careers as Certified Nursing Assistants because it is the fastest and least expensive way to build a solid base of experience in the nursing field. Considered an entry-level nursing position, CNAs make a wide range of clinical and administrative contributions to the daily operations of a healthcare team, from performing basic patient care tasks to taking vital signs, serving meals, and recording health issues.
With little formal clinical training to prepare them for these roles, CNAs who wish to transition from entry-level to advanced positions must seek additional clinical training and certification to take the next step in their careers. CNA to RN programs are designed to provide students with the hands-on clinical experience, technical skills, and knowledge necessary to move from Certified Nursing Assistant to Registered Nurse (RN).
What Are CNA to RN Programs?
CNA to RN programs are a fast and efficient way for nurse assistants to gain the essential bedside experience and clinical knowledge needed to become registered nurses. These programs are often called “bridge” programs because they bridge the gap between the skills of a nurse assistant or nurses aide and the skills needed to be a registered nurse.
CNA to RN programs are an attractive option because they allow nurse assistants to earn their associate degree in nursing in significantly less time than a traditional RN program that can take between two and four years to complete. Nurse assistants who enroll in a CNA to RN program often receive credit for coursework completed in their initial CNA classes or are allowed to “test out” of required prerequisite courses, so they do not have to repeat unnecessary courses. This approach allows students to earn their RN credentials in half the time and cost of traditional programs, in some cases.
Five Things to Know About Going From CNA to RN
In today’s healthcare climate, registered nurses are expected to have a wide breadth of knowledge and training in order to provide comprehensive care to patients with complex needs. This means that if you work as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) but want to become a Registered Nurse (RN), there are several important things you need to know before taking the leap.
- Where Do Registered Nurses Work?
- How Do the Job Duties Differ?
- RNs Have Greater Career Opportunities
- Stepping Up Will Increase Your Salary
Where Do Registered Nurses Work?
CNAs and RNs are typically employed in similar work settings, such as hospitals, nursing homes, clinics, and physicians’ offices. However, registered nurses can pursue a variety of advanced certifications that can take them into entirely different work environments in specialized healthcare settings. CNAs, on the other hand, have a limited number of options.
Certified nursing assistantstypically help patients with activities of daily living and other basic care needs, such as assisting with personal hygiene, bathing, monitoring vital signs, administering medications, and performing basic nursing tasks. They work under the direct supervision of a Registered Nurse or Licensed Practical Nurse, who are primarily responsible for managing patients’ health needs and addressing their problems, rather than helping them meet their everyday needs.
Registered nurses can perform the same duties as a CNA, but are trusted with a greater scope of practice that includes more complex duties. They typically provide patients and their families with more education and emotional support, and perform more complex nursing tasks, such as performing IVs, administering injections, drawing blood samples, and interpreting lab results. They also perform case management; design, implement, and evaluate care plans; monitor the progress of patients with chronic illnesses, and supervise other nurses.
RNs Require Significantly More Education & Training
To become a CNA, you must satisfactorily complete a state-approved training program and then pass a competency examination. CNA training programs typically consist of 60-75 hours of classroom theory and some amount of clinical hours. Most programs take between four and 12 weeks, and offer a basic learning foundation to help students develop the skills and characteristics necessary to do the entry-level job of a CNA.
To practice as a registered nurse, you must have an RN license in addition to a nursing degree. To obtain either qualification, you will need to satisfy the educational and testing requirements in your state. The amount of education and training required for each varies from state to state, but typically involves two to four years of schooling, culminating in an associate or bachelor’s degree in nursing. After earning your nursing degree, you must pass the NCLEX-RN exam, a written and clinical competency exam developed by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN).
RNs Have Greater Career Opportunities
As an RN, you will have the opportunity to work in a variety of different settings and specialties, with many opportunities to advance and further your career. There are approximately 183 different nursing certifications available for registered nurses, in clinical areas such as gerontology, cardiology, pediatrics, palliative care, and more.
Stepping Up Will Increase Your Salary
Transitioning from a CNA to RN represents a significant increase in job responsibility, career opportunities, and potential pay. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual income for a CNA is $32,050 and the median annual income for a registered nurse is $80,010. Additionally, the job growth for registered nurses is projected to slightly outpace that of nursing assistants at 9% versus 8%, through the year 2030.
| JOB TITLE | MEAN ANNUAL WAGE * | MEAN HOURLY WAGE * |
|---|---|---|
| Orderlies | $31,780 | $15.28 |
| Nursing Assistant | $32,050 | $15.41 |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $50,090 | $24.08 |
| Registered Nurse | $80,010 | $38.47 |
| * Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, May 2020 | ||
Helpful Links
Will Being a CNA Help Me Get Into Nursing School?
What Is the Difference Between an LPN and a CNA?
Is It Good to Be a CNA Before an RN?
CNA to RN Degree Options
There are several degree options available to CNAs who want to make the leap to Registered Nurse. Below is an overview of the most common options, in order from least to most expensive and least to most time-consuming.
CNA to RN Bridge Programs
CNA to RN programs are the fastest and most cost-efficient way to go from nursing assistant to registered nurse. These programs are usually less than two years long and some can be completed in as little as one year if the applicant is awarded credit for previous education and experience. The courses for this program vary, but most programs include classes on basic nursing, infection control, anatomy and physiology, pharmacology, clinical management and administration, and patient care skills. Students will also attend clinical rotations that allow them to put their classroom and lab skills into practice.
Advantages of CNA to RN Programs
- Lower cost per credit hour that all other options
- Intensive, fast-track programs can help you finish quicker than other options
- Virtual classrooms are available for online instruction
- Job placement assistance is available through some programs
- Program length (and cost) can be reduced by testing out of prerequisites
- Earn college credits while working
Associate’s Degree in Nursing (ADN)
An Associate’s Degree in Nursing is an undergraduate degree awarded by colleges of nursing. It is designed to prepare students with the core knowledge and clinical skills needed for entry-level positions within the nursing profession. Associate’s degrees in nursing can be completed in approximately two years and are most commonly offered by community colleges and vocational schools. ADN program graduates are eligible to sit for the NCLEX-RN exam and have the prerequisite education and clinical experience to pursue additional education at the baccalaureate or graduate level.
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
A Bachelor of Science in Nursing is the most comprehensive type of undergraduate nursing degree. The nursing curriculum typically consists of three to four years of classroom instruction, lab work, and clinical training.
What distinguishes a BSN degree from other undergraduate nursing degrees is the focus and amount of science courses required to complete the degree. BSN curriculums typically include extensive coursework in math, natural sciences, social sciences, nursing theory, nursing process, and other general science topics relevant to nursing practice. In addition to these core courses, BSN students will gain experience in communication, evidence-based practice, and leadership.
CNA to RN Programs FAQ
Nursing assistants enrolled in CNA to RN programs can complete the program in as little as one year, but most programs take between 18 and 24 months to complete. Bridge programs that allow students to “test out” of prerequisite courses can greatly reduce the time required to complete the program.
Nursing school admission has become very competitive in recent years, with colleges and universities becoming more selective about prospective students. When applying for college, you should do everything you can to make your application stand out. Having your CNA credential and hands-on experience caring for patients can help set your nursing school application apart from others.
CNA to RN programs can be a more cost-effective option than traditional RN degree alternatives. The cost of a CNA to RN Bridge program will vary by school, but can generally be anywhere between $3,000 and $10,000 per year.
Students enrolled in a CNA to RN Bridge program are often given the opportunity to “test out” of prerequisite courses, which is the process of taking an equivalency exam that will allow them to verify that they have the necessary skills to pass the specific course in question. This opportunity is often restricted to those who have had some experience in the profession, such as those that already have some experience as a CNA.
The process of accreditation is meant to assess the quality of an academic program to determine if it is meeting state and national standards. Non-accredited colleges and training programs should be an enormous red flag for students and nurses pursuing higher education. The two primary accrediting bodies in the U.S. are:
