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4-step progression from CNA to Nurse Practitioner. Potential salary increase of 227% from entry to advanced level.
Entry Salary
$39,530
CNA
Top Salary
$129,210
Nurse Practitioner
Total Steps
4
licenses
Median Salary
$39,530
State-approved training program (4-12 weeks)
Avg. Licensing Cost
$154 – $159
Avg. Timeline
7 weeks – 5 months
Median Salary
$62,340
Practical nursing program (12-18 months) + NCLEX-PN
Avg. Licensing Cost
$343
Avg. Timeline
1.1 years – 1.7 years
Ready to start your Registered Nurse journey?
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Median Salary
$93,600
ADN or BSN degree + NCLEX-RN
Avg. Licensing Cost
$375
Avg. Timeline
2.1 years – 4.3 years
Median Salary
$129,210
MSN or DNP + national certification
Avg. Licensing Cost
$1,420
Avg. Timeline
2.2 years – 4.5 years
The nursing career ladder is a professional progression from CNA to Nurse Practitioner. It includes 4 licensing levels, each with increasing education, responsibility, and earning potential.
Advancing from CNA ($39,530 median) to Nurse Practitioner ($129,210 median) represents a 227% salary increase based on BLS national median data.
Each step requires additional education and licensing. CNA: State-approved training program (4-12 weeks). LPN/LVN: Practical nursing program (12-18 months) + NCLEX-PN. Registered Nurse: ADN or BSN degree + NCLEX-RN. Nurse Practitioner: MSN or DNP + national certification. The total time depends on the pace of your education and state-specific processing times.
Salary data from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024 national medians. Licensing costs and timelines are averages across all US states derived from verified state licensing board data. Individual state requirements vary — see state-specific pages for details.