Can you go from CNA to RN? Absolutely! Making the switch from CNA to RN is entirely possible. With a non-nursing bachelor’s degree or at least 62 non-nursing college credits, you may be eligible for an accelerated nursing program. Your BSN will enable you to sit for the NCLEX.
Working as a certified nursing assistant (CNA) can be a meaningful line of work for those who are passionate about helping others. If you’ve been a CNA for a while, you might wonder what the next step up is. There are advancement opportunities to consider pursuing, such as going from a CNA to RN, or registered nurse.
Can you go from CNA to RN without spending four years in college? It’s possible! If you’re eligible for Northeastern University’s Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) program, you could graduate with your nursing degree in as few as 16 months and be ready to confidently sit for the nursing licensure exam. Take a closer look at the process and learn what you can expect.
Why Transition from CNA to RN?
There are plenty of compelling reasons to take the leap from CNA to RN. Both careers allow you to help others, but RNs have a much greater scope of practice. They can administer medications, develop and contribute to care plans, and perform treatments.
Other reasons to transition to an RN career include:
- You’re feeling stuck as a CNA and are interested in career advancement.
- You’d like to increase your earning potential.
- You’re interested in learning more about the science of nursing.
- You’d like to practice with greater autonomy and perhaps prepare to step into leadership roles.
Comparing the Roles and Responsibilities of a CNA vs. RN
Before exploring how to go from CNA to RN, consider the scope of work of these professionals. As a CNA, your main responsibilities include:
- Checking vital signs
- Helping patients use the toilet and dress and groom themselves
- Turning and repositioning patients in bed
- Transferring patients from bed to a wheelchair and vice versa
- Helping patients eat
- Recording patients’ health concerns and reporting to an RN
These tasks are certainly vital for patient care; for example, many patients have trouble feeding themselves and getting to the bathroom. The invaluable work that CNAs do enables patients to have a greater quality of life, but, as an RN, you could do even more to contribute to favorable patient outcomes.
The typical responsibilities of a nurse include:
- Performing head-to-toe assessments
- Administering medications
- Performing wound care and other treatments
- Creating and contributing to care plans
- Delivering patient and family caregiver education
- Collaborating with physicians and other healthcare providers
How to Go from CNA to RN: A Step-By-Step Guide
Ready to make the switch from CNA to RN? Here’s your step-by-step guide to the typical career pathway:
Explore Your Nursing School Options
The first step is to explore your options for nursing education. CNAs without college credits will need to enroll in a traditional four-year program in order to earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). If you already have a non-nursing bachelor’s or a minimum number of college credits, however, you might qualify for an ABSN program, such as those at Northeastern University’s learning sites near Boston, Massachusetts; Providence, Rhode Island; or in Charlotte, North Carolina.
With an ABSN program, you won’t have to be in school for four years to become a nurse. Instead, you’ll be able to graduate in as few as 16 months after successful completion of prerequisites. That means you can sit for the NCLEX sooner and re-enter the workforce.
Although the pace is accelerated, there is no difference in terms of quality, breadth or scope when comparing a traditional BSN to an ABSN program. You’ll still be taught everything you need to know to become a practice-ready nurse.
How hard is nursing school? It’s a challenge, but it’s definitely within your reach.
Reach Out to an Admissions Counselor
Once you’ve chosen a nursing program that’s right for you, the next step is to reach out to an admissions counselor. At Northeastern, our prospective ABSN students are assigned to a dedicated admissions counselor. Your counselor will answer all your questions and walk you through the admission process, putting together a personalized blueprint for you to follow.
For your first phone call, it’s helpful to have a copy of your unofficial transcripts on hand. This will allow your counselor to determine whether you’re eligible for the program and whether you need to take prerequisites.
Meet the Eligibility Requirements
After contacting an admissions counselor, you’ll find out if you’re eligible for the program. The basic eligibility requirements for the ABSN program at Northeastern are:
- A non-nursing bachelor’s degree or at least 62 non-nursing credits from an accredited institution
- Ability to meet all the school’s technical standards
- Completion of prerequisite courses with at least a “C” grade
Can you go from CNA to RN without taking prerequisites? It depends on your prior academics. If you already took courses that fulfill the prerequisite requirements during your prior college education, you might not need to take any additional prerequisites. Your admissions counselor will review your unofficial transcript to determine which courses you need.
Submit Your Application
You can submit your nursing school application even before completing the prerequisites if you only have three or fewer left to take and have already registered for them.
Your admissions counselor will provide login information for NursingCAS, the online application portal. You can submit the application and all required application materials through this portal. Since Northeastern reviews ABSN applications on a rolling basis, you’ll receive an admission decision within just a few weeks.
Earn Your BSN
The next step in switching from CNA to RN is completing your nursing degree. If you’re an ABSN student at Northeastern, you’ll enjoy the convenience and flexibility of the online nursing coursework. You’ll also attend in-person nursing skills and simulation labs, which teach crucial nursing skills and clinical decision-making.
In addition, you’ll complete a series of clinical rotations at nearby healthcare facilities, where you’ll practice providing direct patient care. Your nursing instructors and preceptor will supervise and offer guidance. As a CNA, you’re already accustomed to working in healthcare. During these rotations, you’ll see what it’s like to work with patients as an RN in various settings.
Discover how to succeed in nursing school with these 10 proven tips!
Pass the NCLEX-RN
After graduating with your nursing degree, you’ll need to pass the NCLEX-RN exam. You’ll have some time to study for the NCLEX between graduation and your test date, but you shouldn’t wait until graduation to start your test prep. Instead, it’s best to begin preparing for the NCLEX well in advance.
Start by answering a few practice test questions each day and review the explanations thoroughly. Then, take a few full-length practice tests.
Benefits of Going from CNA to Nurse
There are many compelling benefits of switching from a career as a CNA to an RN. Some of them include:
- Higher earning potential
- Strong job growth rate
- More of an impact on patient care
- Ability to choose from a wide range of nursing specialties
- More diverse workplace settings
- Greater autonomy
You might wonder, “Can BSN grads do more than RN jobs?” Absolutely! Once you have a BSN, your nursing license and a few years of bedside experience, you’ll be ready to start exploring career advancement opportunities, some of which may require heading back to school for a graduate nursing degree.
For example, you might pursue a career as a nurse manager or administrator. If you still enjoy patient care, you might obtain the board certification to become an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN). There are lots of possibilities to consider.
Achieve Your Career Goals at Northeastern
At Northeastern University, our mission is to empower you to achieve your career goals. Wherever your interests lie within nursing, you can get a solid start for your future at the Bouvé College of Health Sciences. With small class sizes and personalized attention from highly dedicated instructors, our nursing school offers all the support you need to succeed.
Contact our friendly admissions counselors today to find out if our ABSN program is a good fit for you.
