Certified nursing assistants (CNAs) — also known as state tested nurse aides (STNAs) in Ohio — are in demand across the country. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects that there will be more than 200,000 job openings for nursing assistants and orderlies every year from 2022 to 2032.
But what comes after CNA in the nursing career progression? CNAs and STNAs looking for more responsibilities and a higher earning potential may choose from a variety of nursing program options that can provide a foundation to advance their careers.
What Does a CNA Do?
CNAs provide basic medical care to patients. As primary nursing care providers, they assist patients with their daily care, including dressing patients, monitoring their vital signs, and helping them eat. CNAs also help patients move from their beds to their wheelchairs, and, in some states, they can dispense medication.
Nursing assistants work under the supervision of other nursing staff, including licensed practical nurses and registered nurses. They report patients’ concerns to nurses and record their health information.
The most common employers of CNAs and STNAs include nursing care facilities, hospitals, assisted living facilities, and home healthcare services providers. CNAs’ job responsibilities vary depending on the setting.
While many nursing careers require years of training, CNA training programs can take as little as four to 16 weeks to complete.
Nursing Jobs After CNA
CNAs can advance their education to qualify for jobs with greater responsibilities. But what comes after CNA?
Typically, the next step in the nursing career progression is to become a licensed practical nurse or a registered nurse. Nurse training programs can prepare professionals for these more advanced nursing jobs.
Licensed Practical Nurse
Like CNAs, licensed practical nurses (LPNs), known as licensed vocational nurses (LVNs) in California and Texas, provide hands-on care to patients. LPNs monitor patients’ vital signs, such as their blood pressure and temperature. They assist patients with tasks such as grooming and bathing. And they provide regular health updates on patients to registered nurses and other healthcare professionals.
However, LPNs’ responsibilities also include more complex tasks, such as changing patients’ bandages and explaining their care plans to them. In some states, LPNs also can give patients medication, start their IV drips, and supervise other LPNs and CNAs.
Many LPNs work in nursing or residential care facilities. Hospitals, home healthcare service providers, and doctor’s offices also employ LPNs. Practical and vocational nursing programs typically take around one year to complete.
Registered Nurse
Registered nurses (RNs) conduct patients’ health assessments, administer their treatments, and educate them about their medical conditions. With over 3 million RNs working in the U.S. as of 2022, according to the BLS, this job is a common next step in CNAs’ career progression.
Many RNs specialize in an area of healthcare, such as critical care, cardiology, pediatrics, or medical-surgical nursing. Depending on their specialty area, RNs may assist surgeons during medical procedures, perform diagnostic tests, or operate specialty medical equipment. RNs work closely with other healthcare providers to provide effective patient care.
Nearly 60% of RNs work in hospitals, according to 2022 BLS data. Other work settings for RNs include ambulatory healthcare services providers and residential care facilities. RN programs generally take two to four years to complete, depending on the degree.
Advanced Practice Registered Nurse
Advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) provide primary and specialty healthcare to patients. APRN roles require a graduate-level degree and often come with a significant increase in compensation for individuals moving up from CNA or RN roles.
Nurse practitioners (NPs) are the most common types of APRNs. NPs conduct advanced patient health assessments and physical exams. Nurse practitioners also diagnose medical conditions, prescribe medications, and create treatment plans for patients. In many states, they can work independently.
Other types of APRNs are nurse anesthetists, clinical nurse specialists, and nurse midwives. APRNs must have at least a master’s degree in nursing to practice, with some roles requiring a doctorate in nursing practice.
Types of Nursing Programs
CNAs and STNAs have several options to advance their nursing education. Completing a one-year LPN program can prepare a CNA for greater clinical responsibilities, while completing a two-year RN program can lead to more autonomy and a higher earning potential.
Learn more about the types of nursing programs available to CNAs below.
LPN Programs
Practical nursing programs cover topics such as anatomy, nursing fundamentals, and patient care. They also provide students with hands-on clinical experience during supervised rotations. These programs generally take around one year to complete, including clinical training.
LPNs can apply for licensure with a certificate or diploma from a practical nursing program. Licensure also requires passing the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN).
RN Programs
RN programs prepare students for licensure as a registered nurse.
RNs can enter the profession through any of several training programs.
Nursing Diploma: Offered by hospitals, medical centers, and some colleges, nursing diploma programs generally take two to three years to complete and include supervised clinical experience.
Associate Degree in Nursing: Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) programs train prospective RNs in patient care, clinical practices, and decision-making. These programs typically take two years to complete.
Bachelor of Science in Nursing: Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) programs provide clinical preparation and upper-division coursework in evidence-based practices and nursing specialties. These programs usually take four years to complete.
After completing a state-approved program and passing the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN), prospective RNs can apply for an RN license.
Graduate Nursing Programs
With a graduate-level degree, nurses can specialize as advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs). Specialized graduate nursing programs can lead to focused career paths.
Master of Science in Nursing: RNs can become a nurse practitioner, nurse educator, nurse midwife, nurse anesthetist, or nurse administrator with a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN). Some MSN programs take as little as one year to complete, while nurse practitioner programs generally take three years.
Doctor of Nursing Practice: Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) programs also train nurse practitioners, nurse educators, nurse midwives, nurse anesthetists, and nurse administrators. Employers may prefer to hire APRNs with a doctorate.
In addition, nurses interested in pursuing a research or academic career path can earn a Ph.D. in nursing.
Advance Your Nursing Career at Fortis
Are you a nursing assistant wondering what comes after CNA? Fortis offers practical nursing and Associate Degree in Nursing programs that prepare CNAs and STNAs for the next step in their nursing career. Additionally, Fortis offers an online RN to BSN program through its partnership with Denver College of Nursing.
The nursing programs at Fortis emphasize clinical skills and hands-on learning in their comprehensive curricula. You will learn from experienced faculty while preparing for a nursing career in any of a variety of settings and specialties. Contact Fortis today to learn more about our nursing programs.
Recommended Readings
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