Career Advancement Options for CNAs
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Certified nursing assistants (CNAs) play an important part in healthcare, but many eventually choose to pursue higher CNA levels and nursing positions.
Earning power is a common motivator. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), CNAs earned a median salary of $38,130 per year as of May 2023. Meanwhile, registered nurses (RNs) make more than twice as much on average.
This guide introduces several advancement paths CNAs can follow. Compare careers, explore qualifications, and uncover the potential to advance your career.
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How to Advance Your Career as a CNA
As a CNA, you can pursue higher CNA levels or earn a license to become a licensed practical nurse (LPN) or an RN.
The steps below explain these options in further detail:
1 | Obtain Specialty Certification
You can advance to higher CNA levels with specialized certifications. Examples include:
- CNA II: CNAs who complete standard training programs typically become certified as Level I nursing assistants. However, higher CNA levels are available. You can pursue additional training to become a CNA II. With CNA II certification, you can work in hospital settings. According to the BLS, hospital-based jobs pay about 10% more than home healthcare providers.
- Medication Aide: Medication aide certification grants you the ability to administer drug treatments to patients. In most states, standard CNAs are heavily restricted in this practice area.
- Certified Hospice and Palliative Nursing Assistant: As the U.S. population ages, experts expect demand for hospice and palliative care specialists to rise.
- Patient Care Technician: Patient care technician certification enables you to perform duties similar to those of CNAs, but at higher levels and in a wider range of healthcare settings.
Specializations may lead to more job opportunities since you can work both as a generalist CNA and as a specialist in your chosen area. Depending on the role and employment setting, you may also qualify for higher pay.
2 | Become an LPN
Licensed practical nurses (LPNs) are known in some states as licensed vocational nurses (LVNs). LPNs and LVNs provide basic medical care under a broader scope of practice than CNAs. They also earn significantly more money. The BLS reported a median LPN salary of $59,730 per year in May 2023.
To become an LPN or LVN, you must complete a state-approved vocational nursing education program, which typically takes about a year. You then must pass the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical/Vocational Nurses (NCLEX-PN) to become licensed.
3 | Earn a Nursing Degree
To become an RN, you need a nursing degree. Some employers accept an associate degree in nursing (ADN), while others prefer or require a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN).
Here’s a snapshot of both degree paths:
ADN Degree Overview
- Admission Requirements: You need a high school diploma or the equivalent. Most schools prefer an average GPA of at least 3.0. You may also need ACT or SAT scores, plus multiple letters of recommendation.
- Program Curriculum: You will study fundamental nursing principles, healthcare systems, human growth and development, aging, nutrition, and the basics of pharmacology. You’ll also supplement classroom learning with clinical experiences.
- Time to Complete: Full-time students can usually complete an ADN program in about two academic years, while part-time learners may need 3-4 years.
BSN Degree Overview
- Admission Requirements: You can enter a BSN program right out of high school or as a transfer student after completing an ADN degree. Some programs offer an accelerated or fast-track BSN program if you have a bachelor’s degree in a field other than nursing. Schools usually look for a minimum GPA in the 3.0 range, and ACT or SAT scores may be required.
- Program Curriculum: BSN programs emphasize the standard evidence-based nursing practices used in care settings. They also cover ADN topics in greater depth and detail and may provide instruction in cultural sensitivity, management, and current systemic issues in healthcare.
- Time to Complete: Standard, full-time BSN programs cover four academic years. If you hold an ADN degree and enter with advanced standing, you could complete your program in two years. For those who have a bachelor’s degree in another field, a fast-track program takes between 11 and 18 months to complete.
4 | Take the NCLEX Exam
All LPNs/LVNs and RNs in the United States must pass an NCLEX exam. To become an RN, you must pass the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). It is a more rigorous and challenging exam than the NCLEX-PN test.
5 | Obtain a Nursing License
After completing your chosen career path’s education and exam requirements, you must apply for your nursing license. Process details vary by state, but if you have completed your academic program and passed your nursing exam, you should have a clear path.
6 | Obtain RN Specialty Certification
Like CNAs, LPNs and RNs can also earn certifications in many different specialization areas. For example, the American Nurses Credentialing Center offers certification programs in psychiatric nursing, gerontology, family nursing, surgical nursing, case management, and many other areas.
Specialized certifications enhance your appeal to employers who need nurses with advanced skills. As with CNA levels, LPN and RN specializations hold the potential to improve both job availability and earning potential.
Advanced Career Opportunities for CNAs
CNAs most readily develop into specially certified nursing assistants, LPNs/LVNs, and RNs. With further education and experience, additional career advancement opportunities become available.
Patient Care Technician
Certified patient care technicians work under RNs and doctors to provide practical forms of basic care to patients. They work in hospitals, inpatient and outpatient care centers, and for home healthcare providers, among other settings.
Average Salary:$37,800 (July 2024)
Certified Medication Aide
Certified medication aides are specialized CNAs authorized to administer drug treatments to patients. In some cases, they also teach patients how to self-administer their own treatments.
Average Salary:$42,000 (July 2024)
Licensed Practical Nurse/Licensed Vocational Nurse
LPNs/LVNs provide basic medical care, monitoring patients’ vital signs, ensuring patient comfort, changing wound dressings, administering medications, and assisting with personal care. They may also collect tissue samples and perform basic lab tests. LPNs/LVNs mainly work in specialized care facilities, hospitals, and medical centers.
Median Salary:$59,730
Registered Nurse
RNs provide more complex forms of frontline care to patients recovering from illnesses, injuries, and surgical procedures. They work closely with physicians and senior nurses in hospitals, medical clinics, inpatient and residential care centers, and educational institutions.
Median Salary:$86,070
Frequently Asked Questions About CNA Career Advancement
You can pursue higher CNA levels through CNA II training or specialized nursing assistant certifications. You can also earn an associate or bachelor’s degree in nursing, pass your NCLEX exam, and become a fully licensed practical or registered nurse.
Page last reviewed August 5, 2024.
