CNA to RN Career Pathway 2026: Complete Guide to Becoming a Registered Nurse

Key Facts

The median RN salary is $97,550 compared to $42,260 for CNAs, a 131% increase of approximately $55,290 per year (BLS May 2025 data).
Public community colleges charged $4,150 a year on average in published tuition and fees in 2025-26, versus $11,950 at public four-year colleges (College Board).
In 2025, 87.6% of first-time U.S.-educated baccalaureate graduates and 86.1% of associate degree graduates passed the NCLEX-RN (NCSBN).
HRSA's 2022 survey found 51.7% of RNs who graduated in the previous five years entered the workforce with a bachelor's degree.
The NCLEX-RN first-time pass rate for US-educated candidates was 86.7% in 2025, down from 91.2% in 2024 (NCSBN).
The BLS projects 180,800 RN openings per year through 2035 with 6% job growth.
HRSA (December 2025) projects an 8% national RN shortage in 2028, easing to 3% (108,960 full-time-equivalent RNs) in 2038.
U.S. nursing schools turned away 92,672 qualified baccalaureate and graduate applications in 2025 (AACN).
Nursing aide or nursing assistant was the most common health-related job RNs held before their first nursing degree, reported by 45.4% of RNs (HRSA, 2022 survey).
California has the highest state mean annual wage for registered nurses, $150,280 in May 2025 (BLS OEWS).

Last updated: October 2026 | Data sources: BLS, NCSBN, AACN, HRSA, College Board, ATI
CNA to RN: The Career Move That More Than Doubles Your Salary

You already work in healthcare. You already know what patient care looks like at 3 AM when nobody else is watching. As a Certified Nursing Assistant earning a median of $42,260 per year , you have something most nursing students do not: real clinical instincts built from hands-on experience.

Registered Nurses earn a median of $97,550 per year . That is a 131% salary increase and roughly $55,290 more per year in your pocket. This guide breaks down every pathway, timeline, cost, and exam you need to get there.

At a Glance: CNA vs. RN Comparison

Category CNA RN
Median Salary $42,260 $97,550
10th Percentile $33,940 $68,940
90th Percentile $51,980 $137,470

Education Required State-approved training, at least 75 hours (federal minimum) ADN, BSN or diploma program (BLS: ADN and BSN programs typically take 4 years to complete)

Training Cost Varies by state; free for aides employed by, or with a job offer from, a nursing facility when training starts Tuition varies by school (public community colleges averaged $4,150 a year in 2025-26, College Board)

Licensure Exam State CNA exam NCLEX-RN
Scope of Practice Basic patient care, vitals Full nursing assessment, medications, care plans
Job Growth (2025-2035) 3% 6% (180,800 openings/year)
Supervision Works under RN/LPN Assesses patients, plans care and delegates to LPNs/CNAs
Career Ceiling Specialized aide roles NP, CRNA, management, education

The bottom line: The median gap is $55,290 a year (BLS, May 2025). If that gap held for 30 years, it would add up to about $1.66 million before taxes.

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Three Pathways from CNA to RN

There is no single route from CNA to RN. Your best pathway depends on your timeline, budget, and long-term career goals. Here are the three most common options:

Pathway 1: Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) - The Lowest-Tuition Route

Many ADN programs are at public community colleges, where published tuition and fees averaged $4,150 a year in 2025-26, about 35% of the $11,950 public four-year in-state average (College Board).

Timeline: The sample plan below takes 3 years including prerequisites; BLS says ADN programs typically take 4 years to complete Cost: About $4,150 a year in tuition and fees at the 2025-26 public community college average (state averages range from $1,440 to $8,900 a year), for each year you enroll, plus nursing program fees Best for: CNAs who want RN licensure at the lowest tuition

Month-by-Month ADN Timeline

Phase Months What You Are Doing
Pre-planning Months 1-2 Research programs, check prerequisites, request transcripts
Prerequisites Months 3-8 Anatomy & Physiology I/II, Microbiology, English, Math (can work as CNA)
TEAS Prep & Exam Months 7-9 Study for the TEAS and aim above each program's published minimum
Application Months 9-10 Apply to ADN programs; ask how each program treats your CNA certification
Nursing Year 1 Months 11-22 Fundamentals, Med-Surg I, Pharmacology, clinical rotations
Nursing Year 2 Months 23-34 Med-Surg II, OB, Pediatrics, Mental Health, Capstone
NCLEX Prep Months 34-36 Graduate, apply to your board and register for the NCLEX, study for NCLEX-RN
Licensed RN Month 36 Pass NCLEX-RN, begin working as an RN

CNA Advantage: You are in good company: nursing aide or nursing assistant was the most common health-related job RNs held before their first nursing degree (45.4% of RNs, HRSA 2022 survey). Ask each program whether it gives credit or admission points for CNA certification or healthcare experience.

Pathway 2: Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) - The Most Common Entry

More first-time NCLEX-RN candidates now hold a BSN than an ADN: 100,258 versus 89,549 among U.S.-educated first-time candidates in 2025 (NCSBN). HRSA's 2022 survey found that 51.7% of RNs who graduated in the previous five years entered the workforce with a bachelor's degree. BLS says employers, particularly hospitals, may require a bachelor's degree.

Timeline: The sample plan below takes 5 years including prerequisites; BLS says BSN programs typically take 4 years Cost: Published tuition and fees averaged $11,950 a year at public four-year colleges (in-state) and $45,000 at private nonprofit colleges in 2025-26 (College Board) Best for: CNAs who want maximum career flexibility, management potential, or plan to pursue advanced practice (NP, CRNA)

Month-by-Month BSN Timeline

Phase Months What You Are Doing
Pre-planning Months 1-2 Research BSN programs, review financial aid options
General Education Months 3-24 Sciences, humanities, psychology, statistics (can work as CNA)
TEAS Prep & Exam Months 20-24 Study for the TEAS and aim above each program's published minimum
Application Months 22-26 Apply to BSN programs, highlight CNA experience
Nursing Year 1 Months 25-36 Fundamentals, Health Assessment, Pathophysiology
Nursing Year 2 Months 37-48 Med-Surg, OB, Peds, Mental Health, Community Health
Senior Year Months 49-56 Leadership, Research, Capstone, Advanced Clinical
NCLEX Prep Months 56-60 Graduate, apply to your board and register for the NCLEX, study for NCLEX-RN
Licensed RN Month 60 Pass NCLEX-RN, begin working as a BSN-prepared RN

Salary: BLS does not publish RN wages by degree, so compare local employers' pay scales. ADN and BSN graduates take the same NCLEX-RN and hold the same RN license.

Pathway 3: Accelerated BSN (ABSN) - For Those With a Prior Degree

If you already hold a bachelor's degree in any field and are working as a CNA, an Accelerated BSN lets you earn your nursing degree in 11-18 months of intensive, full-time study, including prerequisites (AACN).

Timeline: 11-18 months, including prerequisites (AACN) Cost: Varies by school; AACN notes that financial aid for accelerated programs is limited Best for: Career changers who already have a bachelor's degree and CNA experience

Month-by-Month ABSN Timeline

Phase Months What You Are Doing
Pre-planning Months 1-2 Verify prerequisite sciences are current, take any missing courses
TEAS/HESI Prep Months 2-3 Aim above each program's published entrance-exam minimum
Application Months 3-4 Apply to ABSN programs with CNA license and prior degree
Semester 1 Months 5-8 Fundamentals, Pharmacology, Health Assessment (intense pace)
Semester 2 Months 9-12 Med-Surg, OB, Pediatrics, clinical rotations
Semester 3 Months 13-16 Mental Health, Community, Leadership, Capstone
NCLEX Prep Months 16-18 Graduate, apply to your board and register for the NCLEX, study for NCLEX-RN
Licensed RN Month 18 Pass NCLEX-RN, begin working as a BSN-prepared RN

Warning: AACN says accelerated courses run full-time with no breaks between sessions, and it encourages students not to work. Your CNA experience means you start with hands-on patient care behind you.

Which Pathway Is Right for You?

Factor ADN BSN Accelerated BSN

Total Time Sample plan: 3 years with prerequisites (BLS: typically 4 years) Sample plan: 5 years with prerequisites (BLS: typically 4 years) 11-18 months, including prerequisites (AACN)

Tuition and Fees About $4,150 a year at public community colleges (2025-26 average) About $11,950 a year public in-state; $45,000 private nonprofit (2025-26 averages) Varies by school

Can Work During? Depends on the program schedule Depends on the program schedule AACN encourages students not to work

2025 NCLEX-RN First-Time Pass Rate 86.1% (associate degree) 87.6% (baccalaureate) 87.6% (all baccalaureate graduates)

Prior Degree Needed? No No Yes, a non-nursing bachelor's
Career Ceiling RN (bridge to BSN later) Management, NP, CRNA Management, NP, CRNA
Best For Lowest tuition Long-term flexibility Career changers

Pro tip for ADN graduates: You can earn a BSN later through an RN-to-BSN program (BLS); 29.1% of RNs who entered the workforce with an associate degree went on to a bachelor's (HRSA). Some employers offer tuition reimbursement (BLS).

The Exam Sequence: CNA to TEAS to NCLEX-RN

Your journey from CNA to RN involves passing three major exams. Here is what to expect from each one:

Exam 1: CNA Certification Exam (Already Completed)

You have already conquered this one. Your CNA certification proves you have foundational patient care skills, and it gives you clinical credibility throughout nursing school applications.

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Exam 2: TEAS (Test of Essential Academic Skills)

The ATI TEAS is a common nursing-school entrance exam; some programs use the HESI A2 instead. The TEAS has 170 questions in 209 minutes, and 150 of them are scored (ATI).

TEAS Section Questions (scored + unscored) Time Share of the 150 Scored Items
Reading 45 (39 + 6) 55 min 26%
Math 38 (34 + 4) 57 min 23%
Science 50 (44 + 6) 60 min 29%
English & Language Usage 37 (33 + 4) 37 min 22%

Score requirements: ATI says there is no universal passing score: each school sets its own minimum, and many weigh the TEAS alongside GPA and other factors. Check the minimum for every program you apply to.

The Science section's largest part is human anatomy and physiology (18 of its 44 scored items, ATI), a topic close to your CNA work.

Exam 3: NCLEX-RN (National Council Licensure Examination)

The NCLEX-RN is the final gatekeeper. You take it after graduating from your nursing program.

NCLEX-RN Details Information
Format Computer Adaptive Test (CAT)
Questions 85-150 (adaptive)
Time Limit 5 hours maximum
Pass Rate (US-educated, first-time) 86.7%-91.2% (2023-2025)
2025 Pass Rate 86.7% (down from 91.2% in 2024)
Cost $200 registration ($350 from Feb. 1, 2027) + state board fees

Results Official results from your board within six weeks; unofficial Quick Results two business days after the exam ($7.95, participating boards)

What the 2025 figure means: The NCLEX-RN first-time pass rate for U.S.-educated candidates was 86.7% in 2025, down from 91.2% in 2024 (NCSBN), so about 13 in 100 first-time candidates did not pass. Plan practice beyond your program's own exams.

About 87 in 100 first-time U.S.-educated candidates passed in 2025. Will you?

Practice beyond your program's exams helps close the gap. Our free NCLEX-RN practice questions are single-answer items with explanations, and you can ask the AI tutor about any question you miss.