How to Advance from CNA to RN

Nursing is the largest health care profession in the United States. CNAs and registered nurses (RN) are involved in all types of health care from hospitals, private clinics, homes and schools. Furthering ones career from a CNA to an RN involves graduating from an accredited nursing program, earning either a bachelor's or associate's degree and passing a national and state licensing exam. 

1. Decide if you want to earn a bachelor's or associates degree. If you think you may want to continue on in schooling to become a certified nurse midwife, nurse practitioner, certified registered nurse anesthetist or a supervisor at some point you will want to pursue a bachelor’s degree. The advantage of getting an associates degree is that it doesn’t take as long as a bachelors and it requires less of the prerequisites. A bachelor’s degree will typically take four years to finish compared to two to three years for an associate’s degree. Whichever path you choose, learn as much as you can to make passing the licensing exam easier.


2. Verify the RN program you are considering applying to is accredited.


3. Apply to the school of your choice. Most will typically require you to complete an application that will include an admission essay (typically why you want to become a nurse), submit letters of recommendation, and most will want you to have completed hours of volunteering in a health care field or be working in a health care field (this is where already being an CNA can be helpful).


4. Apply for financial aid to assist you in paying for school and research any scholarships available. 


5. Earn your degree (bachelor's or associate's). 


6. Complete your nursing clinicals. After completing the academic portion of your studies you will be then have on-the-job training referred to as “nursing clinicals.” You will spend time working side-by-side with actual nurses in a hospital or clinical setting. 


7. Take advantage of an externship program if offered by your school. This will give you an edge when applying for jobs and give you additional experience.


8. Take and pass the national licensing examination, called the NCLEX-RN. In all States, students must graduate from an approved nursing program and pass this exam. There are many review guides and courses available to help you study to pass this exam.


9. Take and pass the state licensing exam if required in your state. 


10. Determine what specialty you wish to pursue.


11. Apply for jobs in the specialty you have chosen.