Some healthcare professionals choose to start their careers at an entry level and then climb up the echelon of potential nursing positions. Others make a decision about their final career destination right from the start. Some people begin their career as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) and then

Some healthcare professionals choose to start their careers at an entry level and then climb up the echelon of potential nursing positions. Others make a decision about their final career destination right from the start.

Some people begin their career as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) and then decide to become a Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse (LPN/LVN). A step further prepares them for a career as a registered nurse (RN). Some RNs choose to continue their education and become a nurse practitioner (NP).

According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the employment rate for all nursing professions will increase 22% by 2018.

Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)

CNAs provide basic physical care to patients. The basic requirement to enter a program is a high school diploma. CNAs take an 8 to 16 week course followed by successful completion of a certification test.

This entry-level job often enlightens a person about whether or not they want to pursue a professional career in nursing.

The average CNA salary is $27,000/year or $10 to $14/hour.

CNA to Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse (LPN/LVN)

While a CNA carries direct clinical experience to an LPN program, they do not enter with any education credits. It's important to note that not all LPN students have CNA experience. LPNs are called LVNs in the states of Texas and California.

An LPN program, which has classroom, laboratory and clinical components, runs 12 to 18 months. It requires successfully passing a state-administered licensing exam, the NCLEX-PN, upon completion. LPNs earn a license, not a college degree.

LPNs deliver direct patient care, including administering most medications. Instead of hospitals, LPNs most often work in rehabilitation centers, nursing homes, home health care and doctor’s offices.

The average full-time LPN salary is $42,000 or $20/hour. LPN jobs are expected to grow by 22% by 2020.

LPN to RN

The difference between an LPN and an RN is their “scope of practice,” which are the tasks that each discipline is qualified to perform. LPNs work under the direction of an RN.

LPN to RN programs are called “bridge programs," and usually end with an Associate’s Degree.

RNs earn about $65,950/year in a full-time position, or about $31/hour. RN jobs are expected to increase 26% by 2020, according to the BLS. This represents 711,900 new jobs.

RN to Associate Degree RN (ADN)

ADN graduates are considered to be entry-level nurses, as are diploma-prepared RNs. About 30% of ADN graduates go on to earn an advanced degree in nursing, a BSN.

Some diploma school graduates continue on to earn an ADN, while others start their nursing education at this juncture.

RN to Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)

This next step affords an RN the opportunity to work in nursing management or a nurse leader position.

Many colleges offer specific programs for RNs to earn their BSN, regardless of their basic nursing education. The programs award credit for previous courses and work experience.

Nurse managers with a BSN earn about $67,600/year.

RN to Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)

Some colleges offer an RN-to-MSN program, which usually takes 18 to 24 months to complete. Some RNs enroll in an RN-to-MSN program in which they earn a BSN and segue directly into an MSN program.

An MSN candidate can culminate in a Master of Science in Nursing degree or as a Nurse Practitioner. Many MSN candidates specialize in advanced clinical training or research.

MSN to Nurse Practitioner (NP)

A nurse practitioner (NP) is an RN with a master’s degree specializing in a particular field of practice like adult care, pediatrics, geriatrics, women's health, or family practice. These programs include intense pharmacology classes because NPs can prescribe medications.

After completing the education component, there is a national certification test to practice as a NP.

NPs work under the direction of a qualified physician. They deliver primary care to patients including physical exams, prescriptions, immunizations, and diagnosis of acute and chronic illnesses. They also order, perform and interpret diagnostic studies.

Full-time NPs earn about $94,200/year. NPs are predicted to be in high demand because the physician-to-patient ratio is low in under-served areas of the country.

PhD Nurses

Many nursing executives hold a PhD in Health Administration. RNs with this advanced degree are highly sought after to work in clinical research and advanced clinical practice. This advanced program takes 4 to 6 years to complete.

The Future of Nursing

There is a dramatic growth potential in the healthcare field. As the population ages, healthcare needs grow and more clinically savvy professionals are needed to care for the patients. CNAs to PhDs are imperative to support the growing needs in the United States.