CNA Degree Information
More Answers From Certified Nursing Assistants
4 Steps to Becoming A CNA
Step 1
Get Your Degree
Get a certificate, associates, or bachelors in nursing assisting or a related field.
Step 2
Clinical Rotation
A required supervised internship in a healthcare setting.
Step 3
Certification Exam
For most states, the CNA exam is administered by the NCSBN.
Step 4
Get State License
Apply with proof of your degree, clinical experience and exam.
Best Online CNA School Programs
There are multiple levels of CNA programs available. The most common is a CNA certificate program, which typically takes about 12 weeks to complete. CNA certification programs are offered at community colleges, vocational schools and via online colleges. There are also associate in nursing assistant degrees, which typically take about two years to complete. Associate degree programs are offered at online colleges, community colleges and some technical schools. Here is a list of accredited online CNA school programs:
Nursing Assistant Degree Types
To work as a nursing assistant, there are a number of campus and online nursing degree programs to choose from at the Associates, Bachelors, Masters and Certificate levels. Detailed descriptions of the most common CNA degrees are below:
Certificate in Nursing Assistant
A certificate in nursing assistant is a non-degree program that typically takes six to twelve months to complete. The program includes coursework in anatomy and physiology, patient care, and infection control. Students also complete a clinical internship in a healthcare setting.
Example Certificate’s Level Career:
- Phlebotomy Technician: Phlebotomy technicians draw blood from patients for diagnostic testing.
- EKG Technician: EKG technicians record the electrical activity of the heart.
- Respiratory Therapy Technician: Respiratory therapy technicians provide care to patients with respiratory problems.
- Medical Laboratory Technician: Medical laboratory technicians perform laboratory tests on blood, urine, and other bodily fluids.
- Radiation Therapy Technologist: Radiation therapy technologists administer radiation therapy to patients with cancer.
Associate Degree in Nursing Assistant Technology
An associate degree in nursing assistant technology is a two-year program that provides students with a comprehensive education in nursing assistant skills and knowledge. The program typically includes coursework in anatomy and physiology, patient care, and infection control. Students also complete a clinical internship in a healthcare setting.
Example Associate’s Level Career:
- Nursing Assistant: Nursing assistants provide basic care to patients in a variety of healthcare settings, such as hospitals, nursing homes, and assisted living facilities.
- Medical Assistant: Medical assistants provide administrative and clinical support to physicians and other healthcare professionals.
- Pharmacy Technician: Pharmacy technicians dispense medications and provide customer service in pharmacies.
- Health Information Technician: Health information technicians collect, organize, and maintain patient health information.
- Sonography Technician: Sonography technicians use ultrasound to create images of internal organs and structures.
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
A bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) is a four-year degree that prepares students to become registered nurses (RNs). The program includes coursework in anatomy and physiology, pharmacology, and nursing theory. Students also complete clinical internships in a variety of healthcare settings.
Example Bachelors Level Careers:
- Registered Nurse: Registered nurses (RNs) provide care to patients in a variety of healthcare settings, such as hospitals, clinics, and schools.
- Nurse Practitioner: Nurse practitioners are advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) who provide primary care to patients.
- Clinical Nurse Specialist: Clinical nurse specialists are APRNs who specialize in a particular area of nursing, such as pediatrics or oncology.
- Nurse Anesthetist: Nurse anesthetists are APRNs who administer anesthesia to patients before, during, and after surgery.
- Nurse Midwife: Nurse midwives provide care to women during pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period.
Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)
A master of science in nursing (MSN) is a graduate degree that prepares students to become advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs). The program includes coursework in nursing theory, research, and leadership. Students also complete clinical internships in a variety of healthcare settings.
Example Master’s Level Careers:
- Master of Science in Nursing (MSN): MSNs are graduate degrees that prepare nurses for advanced practice roles, such as nurse practitioner or clinical nurse specialist.
- Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP): DNP is a doctoral degree that prepares nurses for leadership roles in nursing and healthcare.
The type of degree program you choose will depend on your career goals. If you want to become a certified nursing assistant, you can complete a CNA certificate program. If you want to pursue a leadership position, or eventually become a registered nurse, you can complete an associate or bachelor’s degree program. And finally, if you want to become an advanced practice registered nurse, you can complete a master’s degree program. Regardless of degree level, coursework typically includes a mix of classes in anatomy and physiology, patient care, infection control, communication, ethics, law and regulations, and clinical internship.
Future Degrees
A CNA diploma or certificate can be a stepping stone to more advanced careers in nursing. For example, one of the most common paths is for CNAs to advance their careers by becoming a registered nurse (RN). RTo become an RN as a CNA, you will need to complete an associate’s or bachelor’s degree in nursing. You will also need to pass the NCLEX-RN exam.
Associates
Learn about campus and online associate nursing assistant degree and associate CNA programs.
Bachelors
Read curriculum for campus and online bachelor nursing degree programs.
Certificates
See salary, career & admissions requirements for online CNA certificate programs.
What Our Experts Say About Sports Management Programs
Generally having a college education is beneficial in whatever you do. But the CNA job generally isn’t structured to even recognize that. It’s not, in most cases, going to impact your salary or your opportunities, but, having that education paired with your CNA skills and training, will probably be more likely to open up doors.
Being accredited means they meet the certain criteria that the doctors, and everyone is like this needs to be met. And if you’re not accredited, there is a very good chance that you weren’t actually taught or trained what you need to be taught or trained to have that type of responsibility. So, you really just need the knowledge and the skills that are required in your area and typically accredited schools, make sure to meet that because they don’t want to just be like, here, now you’re in charge of everyone’s health, and you actually don’t know what you’re doing.
You should probably consider getting your CNA certificate online and then some practical lab type in person, because what the online can’t teach you is that hands on care the things that you’re gonna learn just by doing it, even if you make mistakes.
Explore More
Career
Learn about CNA career options. From detailed descriptions of the most common nursing assisting careers, to the skills needed for success, to CNA certification requirements, learn all about a career as a CNA.
Schools
Search our database of online CNA degree programs, request information about tuition, transfer credits and admissions from colleges that interest you, and learn what to consider when selecting a CNA school.
Degrees
Get answers to questions about nursing assistant degrees like: What CNA classes best prepare you for which careers? How fast can you get an accelerated CNA degree? and What you learn in an associates vs. certificate program?
Salary
What nursing assisting jobs earn the most and least? How much more will you earn with an associates vs. bachelors vs. certificate? Learn everything about CNA salary and wages data.