You're a certified nursing assistant (CNA). You love working with patients and having a positive impact in any way you can. You're considering making the transition to registered nurse (RN) and you're looking for some confirmation that it's a worthwhile shift.
Here's what to know about going from a CNA to RN, 7 reasons why it's a smart transition and a little bit about how you're especially well-positioned to do it.
1. More patient interactions
As a nursing assistant or nursing aide, you already have experience providing basic care and helping patients with all the activities of daily living. You likely help clean and bathe patients, help patients use the toilet and dress, reposition and transfer patients between beds and wheelchairs, serve meals and help patients eat.1
You also play an important role in patients' medical care—measuring their vital signs like temperature and blood pressure, and listening to, recording and reporting patients’ health concerns to nurses.1
You do all this because you care about helping people, and that's why you joined the nursing profession in the first place. The great news is that transitioning to an RN can help you do this in an even more hands-on way.
Day-to-day responsibilities of a registered nurse
Registered nurses (RNs) provide and coordinate patient care, educate patients and the public about health conditions and provide advice and emotional support to patients and their families, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).2
They assess patients’ health conditions, record patients’ medical histories and symptoms, set up treatments plans and contribute to existing ones, administer medications and consult and collaborate with doctors and other healthcare professionals.2
RNs will also operate and monitor medical equipment, help perform diagnostic tests and analyze the results, teach patients and their families how to manage illnesses or injuries and explain what to do at home after treatment.2
With the opportunity to provide more direct patient care, registered nurses can greater impact the patient experience while building on their medical knowledge and skills.
2. Improved job outlook
Beyond the short-term opportunities that come with enhanced day-to-day responsibilities, transitioning to an RN role may also offer more long-term opportunities in terms of career outlook. Here's a breakdown of the projected job growth for both certified nursing assistants and registered nurses.
Certified nursing assistant job outlook
Overall employment of nursing assistants is projected to grow 4% from 2023 to 2033, which is about as fast as the average for all occupations, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).3
Many nursing assistant job openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or leave the workforce to retire, and there will also be a growing need for nursing assistants as the baby boomer population continues to age.3
One concern? That demand for nursing assistants may be constrained by financial pressures on nursing homes, which may cause some facilities to close or reduce staff. Despite that, there's a projected increase in opportunities at in home- and community-based nursing settings as both patient preferences and federal and state funding focuses change.3
In short, nursing assistant jobs are still growing, but they're also changing.
Registered nurse job outlook
When it comes to registered nurses, growth is more pronounced. The employment of RNs is projected to grow 6% from 2023 to 2033, which is faster than the average for all occupations.4
Demand for registered nurses is projected to increase as the large elderly population declines in health, as well as populations with chronic conditions like diabetes and obesity continue to grow. Registered nurses will be needed to both educate and care for an increasing number of patients with these conditions.4
The need for registered nurses is also expected across most types of healthcare settings—including hospitals and outpatient care centers that provide same-day services like chemotherapy, rehabilitation and surgery. They'll also be in demand at in-home and residential care facilities as those settings continue to become more popular among the aging population.4
3. Increased possibility for career advancement
For many nursing assistants, becoming a registered nurse can be a natural next step forward in their career paths. Registered nurses can work as part of a healthcare team with physicians and other professionals, and may end up overseeing nursing assistants as well as licensed practical nurses (LPNs) and home health aides.4
Being in a position with more leadership responsibility offers a way to hone skills and further career advancement—potentially leading you to find your niche in one of the many nursing specializations.
4. Expanded areas of specialization
Once you start a career as an RN, there are different nursing specialties you can explore. RN programs can expose you to some of them. Some common areas of specialization for registered nurses may include the following.2
Please note that additional education, certifications, licensure or specific work experience may be required to work as a specialized nurse. It is important to check with employers regarding the requirements for the specializations listed below.
- Addiction nurses: These nurses specialize in caring for patients who are overcoming addictions to alcohol, drugs and other substances.
- Cardiovascular nurses: Nurses who specifically care for patients with heart disease, heart conditions or patients who have had heart surgery.
- Critical care nurses: These nurses work in intensive-care units (ICUs) in hospitals, caring for patients with especially serious, complex or acute illnesses and injuries that require close monitoring and treatment.
- Genetics nurses: Nurses who provide screening, counseling and treatment for patients with genetic disorders such as cystic fibrosis.
- Neonatal nurses: Nurses who care for newborn babies with a wide range of health issues.
- Nephrology nurses: Nurses who specialize in caring for patients with kidney-related health issues. These issues may stem from diabetes, high blood pressure, substance abuse or other causes.
- Public health nurses: Nurses who promote public health by educating people on potential warning signs and symptoms of disease, as well as the management of chronic health conditions. These nurses may also run health screenings, immunization clinics, blood drives and other community outreach programs.
- Rehabilitation nurses: Nurses who care for patients with temporary or permanent disabilities or chronic illnesses.
If you're interested in becoming a registered nurse who does not work directly with patients, you may choose to work as a nurse educator, healthcare consultant or hospital administrator. These specializations don't necessarily require direct patient care, but they do require an active registered nurse license.
5. More opportunity for higher education
Pursuing an RN program won't just open the door to more job and career opportunities, it can also pave the way for continued education. The following are all potential education paths for registered nurses.
- ADN programs. An associate degree in nursing (ADN) program can be a great first step for an aspiring RN. The right ADN programs can propel you towards an RN career in as few as 21 months,5 preparing you to sit for the NCLEX-RN® (the RN licensing exam) and confidently provide the next level of care to your patients.
- RN to BSN programs. Registered nurse to bachelor of science in nursing (RN to BSN) programs are bachelor programs designed specifically for registered nurses who want ( or need) to purse a bachelor's degree in nursing.
These programs account for RNs’ education and work experience in the nursing field.
- MSN programs. RNs who already have or are working towards their BSN may later choose to pursue master of science in nursing (MSN) programs, opening the door to even more advanced and specialized nursing education. A Master of Nursing program can help nurses advance into nursing management and administration—or go into advanced clinical practice as a nurse practitioner.
- DNP programs. At the highest level of nursing programs is a doctor of nursing practice (DNP), something that a nurse with their MSN may choose to pursue. Whether it's in the name of career advancement, medical specialization or a passion for research, graduating from a Doctor of Nursing Practice program is a huge accomplishment for any type of nurse.
- Post-graduate nursing certificate programs. A post-graduate nursing certificate is something that an MSN or DNP nurse can do to expand their skills without needing to complete an additional degree. These programs allow them to focus on courses in their desired specializations and gain the education they need to advance in their careers. If the specialization is a clinical one, there are also post- graduate nursing certificate programs specifically for nurse practitioners (NPs).
At Rasmussen University the Nursing Post-Graduate Certificate program, Post-Graduate Certificate Nurse Practitioner (NP) program and the specializations are not available in all states.
Learning more about all the pathways and tracks available for a RN—especially an RN BSN—may be overwhelming, but it can also be empowering. Nurses have so many options in how they want to adjust their careers as they go.
6. You're already one step ahead
The best news is that as a CNA, you're already ahead of nursing students who are completely new to the field.
Enrolling in an RN program while already understanding nursing terms and having hands-on nursing experience can give you a huge advantage. You'll be able to have real-life applications of the information you learn in the classroom, and this foundational knowledge will only make you more effective when you're working with patients at the next level.
Nursing assistants make great registered nurses
If you love working in the nursing field and you want to take the next step, becoming a registered nurse can be a great decision. Whichever nursing program you're considering, know that your CNA experience will only come in handy.
From job outlook to earning potential to specialization and career advancement, there's a whole world of opportunity to explore once you make the transition.
Learn more at How to Become an RN Fast: Explore Four Potential Paths.
NCLEX-RN is a registered trademark of the National Council of State Boards of Nursing, Inc.
1U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Nursing Assistants and Orderlies, [Accessed November 2024] https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/nursing-assistants.htm#tab-2
2U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Registered Nurses, [Accessed November 2024] https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/registered-nurses.htm#tab-2
3Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Nursing Assistants and Orderlies, (date accessed), Nursing Assistants and Orderlies : Occupational Outlook Handbook: : U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
4Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Registered Nurses, (date accessed), Registered Nurses : Occupational Outlook Handbook: : U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Information represents national, averaged data for the occupations listed and includes workers at all levels of education and experience. Employment conditions in your area may vary.
5Completion time is dependent on transfer credits accepted and the number of courses completed each term.
