The Nursing Career Ladder: CNA to LPN/LVN to RN

As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the need for certified nursing assistants (CNAs), licensed practical nurses (LPNs), and registered nurses (RNs) has never been higher. Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics indicates that nursing careers have one of the highest growth projections of any field. Understanding how to climb the nursing ladder is essential for growing as a health care professional and achieving your long-term goals. We’ll provide valuable insights to help you obtain the ideal nursing certifications and advance your career in the medical industry.

What Is a Certified Nursing Assistant?

CNAs play an essential role in the delivery of health care services. These professionals aid patients with activities of daily living and provide valuable support to nursing teams throughout the treatment process. This is one potential path to starting your nursing career, but as you grow in your role, you may want to consider pursuing higher-level opportunities as an LPN or LVN. You’ll interact directly with RNs in these positions to develop treatment plans and coordinate clinical workflows. According to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, achieving these licenses will also increase your annual income from $38,130 to $59,730.

Transitioning from a CNA to LPN/LVN

You must complete an in-person or online nursing education program to pursue LPN or LVN roles. These typically take 12 months to complete. After you’ve finished the course, you’ll be eligible to take an exam with the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses and obtain your license. This will enable you to manage more challenging aspects of patient care, including wound care, catheter changes, vital sign monitoring, and medication administration. An LPN or LVN position will also allow you to acquire valuable health care experience to help you pursue an RN position. For more guidance, visit our Licensed Vocational Nurse Resume Building page.

Transitioning from an LPN/LVN to an RN

You’ll need to complete additional education requirements to pursue an RN career. One path is to complete a two-year program and achieve an associate degree in nursing from an accredited university. The other is to pursue a bachelor’s of science in nursing (BSN), which will require four years. Although the BSN is the longer road, obtaining your bachelor’s degree will positively impact your long-term career prospects, as organizations will be more likely to hire candidates who complete a four-year program. For additional insights, you can visit our Registered Nurse Resume Building page.

Why Pursue an RN License?

The major difference between an LPN/LVN and an RN is the type of role you play in hospital operations. RNs are responsible for coordinating with physicians to provide direct patient care, whereas an LPN takes on a support role to aid the RN. As an RN, you’ll also open up opportunities to pursue management positions and lead teams of medical personnel, which can result in much higher salaries. You can visit our Nurse Manager Resume Building page for examples of leadership-centric nurse resumes.

Consider Pursuing a Clinical Specialization

Pursuing a certification in a specific clinical area can be highly advantageous for growing within the health care space. This will expand your clinical expertise and open additional pathways to improve your long-term career prospects and salary. When deciding what clinical certifications to obtain, ask yourself what areas of a nursing career you’re genuinely passionate about. For example, if you’re particularly interested in pediatric care, you might consider obtaining a Pediatric Critical Care (CCRN) certification. By targeting a nursing specialization, you can take on a more prominent management role within the clinical area that best fits your long-term goals.

Below is a list of prominent clinical specializations that you may want to consider as you continue to advance as an RN:

• Cardiac Surgery (CSC)
• Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA)
• Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS)
• Dialysis (CDN)
• Gastroenterology (CGRN)
• Pediatric Critical Care (CCRN)
• Perioperative Nurse (Surgical/OR Nurse)
• Progressive Care (PCCN)

Join a Medical Association

Becoming a medical association member can be a strong asset for building your professional network and growing as a thought leader within the health care industry. You’ll also have the opportunity to garner valuable insights from experienced medical professionals who provide mentorship as you continue to grow as an RN. Highlighting your involvement within the medical community on your resume may also draw the attention of hiring managers and prospective employers, which might help to differentiate you from the competition. Some of the top nursing associations you can join to grow your career include:

• American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN)
• American Association of Neuroscience Nurses (AANN)
• Emergency Nursing Association (ENA)
• National Association of Licensed Practical Nurses (NALPN)
• Society of Pediatric Cardiovascular Nurses (SPCN)
• The American Board of Nursing Specialties (ABNS)
• The American Nurses Association (ANA)
• The National League for Nursing (NLN)
• The National Student Nurses’ Association (NSNA)

Continue Your Nursing Education

Although there is a great need for CNAs, LPNs/LVNs, and RNs on the open market, you’ll still encounter strong competition for the most lucrative positions in the health care space. Obtaining a Master of Science in Nursing or a Ph.D. in Nursing can open up even more career pathways, such as becoming a nurse educator or hospital administrator. Some prominent nursing positions that require additional education include:

• Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN)
• Chief Nursing Officer (CNO)
• Nurse Educator
• Nurse Practitioner (NP)
• Nursing Director

Build a Strong Nurse Resume

Once you’ve secured the right nursing credentials for your career path, you’ll need to build a strong accomplishment-driven resume to market yourself effectively during the job hunt. The key to crafting a winning resume is to tell a compelling story for the hiring manager using metrics, numbers, and tangible examples from your career. Also, research the hospital before applying to understand the organization’s values, mission statement, and culture. You’ll be more likely to generate interviews by tailoring your resume to specific job opportunities.

Nursing Careers Are a Lifelong Journey

Choosing to become a CNA, LPN/LVN, or an RN, a career in nursing is a lifelong vocation. Each day, you’ll continue to expand your clinical knowledge as you provide medical care to your patients. The key to driving your professional development is to use every available resource to improve your health care skill sets. Whether you pursue a clinical specialization, advanced degree, or join an association, this is a gradual process. Each day is another learning opportunity to help you grow as a nurse and caregiver.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Nursing Career Ladder

Frank Hackett

Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW)

Frank Hackett is a professional resume writer and career consultant with over eight years of experience. As the lead editor at a boutique career consulting firm, Frank developed an innovative approach to resume writing that empowers job seekers to tell their professional stories. His approach involves creating accomplishment-driven documents that balance keyword optimization with personal branding. Frank is a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) with the Professional Association of Resume Writers and Career Coaches (PAWRCC).