Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) Career Pathway
Does your student dream of being a superhero in scrubs? Are they caring, compassionate, and a good listener? Then a career in nursing may be a great fit!
Nurses and Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) are on the front lines of our healthcare system. They work in a variety of healthcare settings, from school clinics to hospitals to long-term care facilities, providing healthcare to a variety of patients, from infants to senior citizens. It’s a profession with many entry points and opportunities for specialization and advancement. And nursing is a skill always in demand.
Many individuals in the nursing field start out as Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) working under the supervision of Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) and Registered Nurses (RNs). Some of these CNAs go on to earn additional credentials and become LPNs or RNs.
For students who choose this pathway, we offer a rigorous program accredited by the nursing or medical board in each state in which we offer this program. Our program features a project-based learning curriculum that allows students to gain a broad understanding of patient care and nursing; learn medical terminology, anatomy, and physiology; and prepare for a meaningful career in an acute care, long-term care, or home healthcare setting.
Our curriculum prepares students to take the exams for the credentials necessary to embark on a career as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) right after graduation—without the hassle or expense of additional training or degrees. The tuition-free program includes exam prep for the Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) or American Medical Certification Association (AMCA) Nursing Assistant Certification (NAC) exam, both highly regarded industry credentials. We also jumpstart your job search by helping you create a professional résumé, cover letter, and profile on Tallo—the leading professional networking platform for Gen Z. Plus, you connect virtually to working professionals in the nursing field through Nepris.*
Our Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) Curriculum in Detail
All of our students take the core courses required for high school graduation in their state. The chart below shows the additional classes that Certified Nursing Assistant Pathway students take, and the industry-recognized certification exams they can prepare to take. You can see the rest of the curriculum by viewing the full course list.
Great News
Stride Career Prep programs with the Certified Nursing Assistant Pathway are available in our tuition-free K12-powered, fully accredited, public online schools in the following states: Alabama, Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Kansas, Minnesota, New Mexico, Ohio, Oregon schools (Cascade Virtual Academy, Destinations Career Academy of Oregon, Insight School of Oregon—Painted Hills), Pennsylvania, Wisconsin.
Don’t see your state? Check out the tuition-based option here in the Certified Nursing Assistant Pathway. There are also tuition-free options in related fields like the Medical Assisting pathway!
Occupational Spotlight
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Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)
Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) work under the supervision of licensed practical or registered nurses. They listen to and record patients’ healthcare concerns and relay that information to nurses, take patients’ vital signs, and assist patients with daily living. They often work in long-term care facilities, developing deep relationships with their patients; others work in hospitals or medical office settings. Shift work is often required.
2020 Median Starting
Salary1
$37,732
Projected New Jobs, 2019-20292
119,500
Expected Percentage Growth in No. of Jobs, 2019-20292
8% (much faster than average)
Typical Entry-Level Education
High school diploma or GED; plus usually a Certified Nursing Assistant certification
Home Health Aide
Home health aides help people with disabilities, chronic illnesses, or cognitive impairment by assisting in their daily living activities.
2020 Median Starting
Salary1
$29,303
Projected New Jobs, 2019-20292
1,159,500
Expected Percentage Growth in No. of Jobs, 2019-20292
34% (much faster than average)
Typical Entry-Level Education
High school diploma or GED
Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)
Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) provide basic medical care under the direction of a registered nurse or doctor, such as taking a patient’s blood pressure or changing a patient’s bandages.
2020 Median Starting
Salary1
$54,084
Projected New Jobs, 2019-20292
65,700
Expected Percentage Growth in No. of Jobs, 2019-20292
9% (much faster than average)
Typical Entry-Level Education
High school diploma/GED plus 1 year of state-mandated training leading to licensure
Phlebotomist
Phlebotomists draw blood for tests, transfusions, research, or blood donations. They label and store specimens, enter patient information into databases, and maintain required medical instruments.
2020 Median Starting
Salary1
$37,587
Projected New Jobs, 2019-20292
22,800
Expected Percentage Growth in No. of Jobs, 2019-20292
17% (much faster than average)
Typical Entry-Level Education
High school diploma or GED, plus specialized certificate program (usually < 1 year)
Registered Nurse
Registered Nurses (RNs) provide and coordinate patient care, educate patients and the public about various health conditions, and provide advice and emotional support to patients and their families. They typically do patient intake, recording patients’ medical history and current symptoms; administer medications and treatments; perform diagnostic tests and analyze the results; and teach patients and their families how to manage their medical conditions and complete required treatment.
2020 Median Starting
Salary1
$72,874
Projected New Jobs, 2019-20292
221,900
Expected Percentage Growth in No. of Jobs, 2019-20292
7% (faster than average)
Typical Entry-Level Education
Bachelor’s or associate’s degree, plus licensure requirements
FAQs
Do you need a college degree to be a nurse?
Registered Nurses must have at least an associate’s degree from an accredited nursing program and, in some cases, they also need a bachelor’s degree. In addition, they must be licensed to practice as a nurse.
However, there are many opportunities in nursing that do not require a bachelor’s degree! Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) typically have a high school diploma plus some additional training at a community college, culminating in an associate’s degree and a LPN license. Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) typically have a high school diploma or GED plus a certification such as the Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) exam or the American Medical Certification Association (AMCA) Nursing Assistant Certification (NAC). Exam prep for these certifications is part of our tuition-free program.
Do you need a college degree to be a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)?
No, you do not need a college degree to become a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA). Most CNAs have a high school diploma or GED and have also passed a certification exam such as the Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) exam or the American Medical Certification Association (AMCA) Nursing Assistant Certification (NAC). Exam prep for these certifications is part of our tuition-free program.
Is the Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) Pathway program accredited?
Yes! Each of our schools that offers the Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) Pathway has had its program accredited by the relevant body in that state (generally the state nursing board or the state medical board). You can rest assured that our Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) Pathway program meets all requirements in your state and will prepare your student well for the required certification and licensing exams.
How can you prepare for a career in nursing while still in high school? What classes should you take?
You can prepare for a career in nursing while still in high school by taking courses in medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, and—if the high school offers this option—specific classes in nursing. One of the best things to do while in high school, of course, is to work or volunteer in a hospital, nursing care facility, doctor’s office, or other medical setting.
We offer a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) Pathway in which students take classes in medical terminology and anatomy and physiology plus three semesters of nursing. We also provide test prep for the two most important CNA certification exams: the Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) exam and the American Medical Certification Association (AMCA) Nursing Assistant Certification (NAC).
What is the fastest way to become a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)?
The fastest way to become a CNA is to enroll in an accredited nursing assistant program in high school (such as our Certified Nursing Assistant Pathway Program) and study for and pass the Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) exam or the American Medical Certification Association (AMCA) Nursing Assistant Certification (NAC). CNAs must also meet any other requirements set by the nursing board or medical board in their state.
Learn more about course offerings in the other Stride Career Prep career fields.
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1Burning Glass Labor Insights, accessed October 16, 2020. Data is median salary for job postings with that job title, with typical minimum education requirements for that job title (as shown in chart on this page) and 0-2 years of experience, from October 1, 2019, to September 20, 2020.
2Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S.Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook. Website last modified date: Wednesday, September 1, 2020.
*Opportunities vary by school; please visit your school page or check with your school counselor.
**Stride Career Prep is a program for grades 9–12. At some schools, career exploration is offered in middle school.
†Many Microsoft®️ Office certificates can be earned after completing one course. Other certificates require more classes to be better prepared, and students who participate in the program for at least two years will have further preparation for certification testing.
