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Going from CNA to RN: What You Need to Know
Considering the next step in your nursing career? Here's what you need to know about going from CNA to RN (or LPN/LVN) and how to get started.
Take the next step in nursing
Many people who are interested in nursing as a career start their path as a certified nursing assistant (CNA). If you are a CNA interested in taking the next step to become an LPN/LVN or RN, here are six important things you need to know to help you prepare:
1. CNAs and RNs often work in the same areas.
Both CNAs and RNs often work together in hospitals, medical centers or clinics, nursing homes, or physicians’ offices. However, as an LPN or RN you may have greater flexibility and choice in where you work based on your experience and specializations. RNs and LPNs may work in specialty departments, schools, the military, or in unique environments as a travel or flight nurse.
Percent of total occupational employment in industry, May 2023i
| Industry | Nursing Assistants | Registered Nurses |
|---|---|---|
| Nursing Care Facilities (Skilled Nursing Facilities) | 33.9% | 3.9% |
| General Medical and Surgical Hospitals | 30.4% | 55.1% |
| Continuing Care Retirement Communities and Assisted Living Facilities for the Elderly | 10.8% | 1.0% |
| Home Health Care Services | 6.0% | 5.7% |
| Employment Services | 4.4% | 4.1% |
| Individual and Family Services | 3.2% | 1.2% |
| Specialty (except Psychiatric and Substance Abuse) Hospitals | 2.1% | 2.0% |
| Offices of Physicians | 1.5% | 6.9% |
| Local Government, excluding Schools and Hospitals (OEWS Designation) | 1.3% | 1.2% |
| Federal Executive Branch (OEWS Designation) | 1.1% | 3.1% |
i. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2023). Occupational employment and wage statistics, May 2023: All data. United States Department of Labor. https://www.bls.gov/oes/tables.htm. This table includes a selection of the top industries for each occupation. That’s why there are only 10 industries listed and percentages do not add to 100%. | ||
Examples of how to interpret this data:
- 33.9% of all Nursing Assistants are employed in Nursing Care Facilities
- 55.1% of all Registered Nurses are employed in General Medical and Surgical Hospitals
Generally speaking, employment of nursing assistants is more spread out among different types of healthcare facilities compared to registered nurses. There’s a much higher concentration of RNs employed in general and surgical hospitals, and a far lower concentration employed in physician’s offices or nursing care facilities.
2. CNAs and RNs have different job duties.
CNAs may work under the direct supervision of an RN or LPN, but CNA vs. RN job duties can be different. Like other nurses, CNAs help patients with basic living activities such as bathing, getting dressed, using the toilet, and eating and drinking. They also take vital signs such as temperature and blood pressure.
RNs may help with these tasks, but there is a difference in day-to-day tasks. RNs may spend more time assessing patients’ unique health problems and needs, providing medical instructions, tracking health histories, and interacting with physicians and families on patients’ care plans.
3. RNs require more training and education than CNAs.
CNA training can be completed fairly quickly. After this, graduates may take a state licensing exam so they have the best credentials to apply for jobs.
RNs typically need two to four years of schooling—depending on their degree and how many credits they take. They can earn their associate degree in nursing (ADN/ASN) in about two years or their Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) in about four years. After their schooling is completed, they may take the National Council Licensing Examination for Registered Nurses exam (NCLEX-RN). This exam tests them on the application and analysis using the nursing knowledge they gained in school.
Overall, it can take about 2-5 years to take all the necessary steps to become a registered nurse, depending on many potential factors.
Students may also choose to pursue a diploma in practical nursing to take classes to become a licensed practical nurse (LPN). These programs generally take 12 months and prepare students to take the National Council Licensing Examination for Practical Nurses exam (NCLEX-PN). Learn more about the difference between LPNs and RNs.
Certification requirements
After graduating from a nursing degree program, you’ll need to pass the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) from the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN). Our curriculum is designed with the NCLEX-RN in mind to fully prepare you for success on the exam and get off to a great start in your career.
How hard is the NCLEX-RN exam?
The exam is designed to be challenging enough to ensure you’re ready to succeed in the role.
According to the NCSBN, here’s an annual breakdown of the NCLEX-RN exam first-time pass rate from US-educated candidates:
| Year | Test takers | Pass rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 186,686 | 91.16% |
| 2023 | 186,350 | 88.56% |
| 2022 | 188,005 | 79.90% |
| 2021 | 185,062 | 82.48% |
| 2020 | 177,407 | 86.57% |
The test is not easy! You’ll need to be well-prepared to pass on the first try. Our faculty, student services, and staff are all here to help you study and prepare for success on both the certification exam and your career as an RN.
4. RNs can pursue a variety of specializations.
As an RN, you have the opportunity to advance your nursing career and improve patient care by pursuing a variety of specializations that are of interest to you. Some possible nursing specialties include:
- Aesthetic/Cosmetic nurse
- Assisted living
- Cardiac nurse (CVICU)
- Emergency Room (ER)
- Flight nurse
- Labor and Delivery (L&D)
- Neonatal (NICU)
- Oncology
- Pediatrics
- School nurse
- Surgical / scrub nurse
- Traveling nurse
Earning an associate or bachelor’s degree in nursing and become an RN opens up many different career opportunities you may pursue.
5. Going from CNA to RN may significantly impact salary.
Stepping up from CNA to LPN to RN represents leaps in not only in job responsibilities and opportunities, but also in potential pay.
By continuing to grow your nursing career you can increase the likelihood of finding a good job and get paid well to do it.
6. You have many pathways for education.
How long it takes to go from CNA to RN depends on the educational path you choose. Herzing University has a variety of programs to choose from, including:
- A practical nursing diploma program for those looking to start their career in nursing as a PN/LPN. Learn more about going from nursing assistant to practical nurse.
- An associate in nursing program for CNAs seeking a 2-year program to step towards becoming an RN.
- A bachelor’s in nursing program (available both online and on-campus) for those considering becoming an RN and possibly work towards a master’s degree in nursing in the future.
If you aren't completely sold on nursing, you may consider an alternative pathway, such as CNA to medical assistant. That could open doors to other types of careers in allied health.
There are many unique options – check out all of our available online & on-campus nursing programs. Availability varies by campus location.
Become possible with Herzing University.
We exist to help you thrive in your career and become the best nurse you can be. If you’re a CNA picturing yourself as a registered nurse, we want to help you make that picture reality and build a bridge to your new career. We are here to support your first big step and become your lifelong partner in learning.
Learn more about Herzing's nursing programs
* Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics 2023 / Occupational Outlook Handbook 2022. BLS estimates do not represent entry-level wages and/or salaries. Multiple factors, including prior experience, age, geography market in which you want to work and degree field, will affect career outcomes and earnings. Herzing neither represents that its graduates will earn the average salaries calculated by BLS for a particular job nor guarantees that graduation from its program will result in a job, promotion, salary increase or other career growth.