CNA Is the First Step.
Not the Last.
A healthcare career that grows with you. See where CNA certification leads.
The Healthcare Career Ladder
CNA opens the door. From there, every step up means higher pay, more responsibility, and more options. Many nurses started exactly where you are now.
Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)
Direct patient care. Entry point into healthcare.
Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN)
Medication admin. Care coordination. 12 to 18 month program.
Registered Nurse (RN)
Full nursing scope. BSN or ADN pathway. 2 to 4 year program.
Central Valley salary averages. Actual pay varies by employer and experience.
Every Nurse Started Somewhere
CNA experience gives you a head start in every nursing program you apply to.
Why Start as a CNA?
CNA gives you clinical experience that nursing programs value. Many LVN and RN programs give preference to applicants with CNA experience. You earn while you learn, build patient care skills, and confirm that healthcare is the right path before committing to a longer program.
Some employers offer tuition assistance for CNAs who want to advance to LVN or RN. Your CNA certification pays for itself and funds the next step.
Specialization Options
Hospital CNA
Acute care settings. Fast-paced. Higher pay. Strong path to RN bridge programs.
Home Health Aide
One-on-one patient care. Flexible schedules. Growing demand in the Central Valley.
Long-Term Care
Skilled nursing facilities. Consistent schedules. Deep patient relationships.
Rehabilitation CNA
Help patients recover from surgery or injury. Rewarding and high-demand setting.
Job Demand in the Central Valley
Healthcare is the largest employment sector in the Central Valley. Hospitals, nursing homes, home health agencies, and rehabilitation centers are hiring CNAs. The aging population means demand will keep growing for the next decade. Job security starts on day one.
Your next career starts this weekend.
30 days. $1,400. Weekends only. 15 spots per class.