Career growth
CNA to RN: How to Become a Registered Nurse
The three education paths, the NCLEX-RN, what RNs earn, and how CNAs can move up step by step.
By the CaregiverCert team · Updated October 24, 2026 · 7 min read
Many registered nurses started as CNAs. Your CNA experience won’t replace nursing school, but it gives you real patient care skills, a foot in the door with employers, and a clear picture of what nursing is like. Here are the paths from CNA to RN.
RN at a glance
| CNA | RN | |
|---|---|---|
| Education | At least 75 hours of state-approved training | Associate degree (ADN), bachelor’s degree (BSN), or a diploma program |
| Exam | State nurse aide exam | NCLEX-RN national licensing exam |
| Median pay (May 2025) | $42,260 a year | $97,550 a year ($46.90 an hour) |
| Job outlook, 2025 to 2035 | +3% | +6%, about 180,800 openings a year |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook and May 2025 wage data.
Three ways to become an RN
Associate degree in nursing (ADN)
Offered mostly at community colleges. ADN programs are often shorter than a BSN; length varies by school. ADN graduates take the same NCLEX-RN as BSN graduates. Many later finish a bachelor’s through an RN-to-BSN program while working.
Bachelor of science in nursing (BSN)
A BSN typically takes 4 years, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Some employers, especially hospitals, prefer or require it for certain jobs.
Diploma programs
Hospital-based diploma programs typically take 2 to 3 years. There are far fewer of them than degree programs.
All three paths include supervised clinical experience and lead to the NCLEX-RN.
The step-by-step route: CNA, then LPN, then RN
Many CNAs move up in stages so they can keep working and earning:
- CNA: work and gain experience.
- LPN: a practical nursing program, typically about 1 year. See CNA to LPN.
- RN: an LPN-to-RN bridge. Some community colleges let licensed LPNs skip part of the associate degree. For example, Illinois Valley Community College admits LPNs with a year of experience into the second year of its ADN, and Massasoit and Berkshire community colleges in Massachusetts offer advanced placement or a bridge course for LPNs.
The NCLEX-RN
To get your RN license, you must graduate from an approved nursing program and pass the NCLEX-RN. In 2025, 86.7% of U.S.-educated first-time test takers passed, according to the National Council of State Boards of Nursing. BSN graduates passed at 87.6% and ADN graduates at 86.1%.
How CNA experience helps
- Admissions. Many nursing programs value health care experience, and some LPN programs require a CNA.
- Clinicals. You’ll already be comfortable with patient care, vital signs, and teamwork.
- Paying for school. Some hospitals and nursing homes offer tuition help to employees who are going to nursing school. Ask human resources.
- Jobs. Some employers like to hire their own CNAs as new graduate nurses.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to go from CNA to RN?
It depends on the path. A BSN typically takes 4 years. The step-by-step route through LPN, about 1 year, then an LPN-to-RN bridge, lets you work as you go.
Does CNA experience count toward nursing school?
It usually doesn’t replace nursing courses, but it can help with admission and clinicals, and some LPN programs require it.
How much do RNs make?
The median RN earned $97,550 a year in May 2025, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
What is the NCLEX-RN pass rate?
In 2025, 86.7% of U.S.-educated first-time test takers passed, per NCSBN.