LA Skills Academy
Aug 3, 20219 min
Updated: Oct 18, 2021
✏️ A roadmap for CNA > LVN > RN > Advanced Practice Nursing
✏️ Created for Southern California
✏️ Made with you in mind and to inspire your journey
✏️ A beginners guide to nursing
✏️ A path to realizing your potential
✏️ A way to picture yourself and your future
To achieve your dreams, you have to begin your journey towards them. If you'd like to become a nurse, becoming a Certified Nurse's Assistant (CNA) is an ideal starting point. There are bridge or ladder programs that can even help get you there. After all, working as a CNA offers you the ability to observe what nurses do and gain valuable work experience.
The healthcare community also lets you build upon your experience and skills, sometimes allowing you to accelerate your education depending on your experience. Let's get you familiar with the nursing ladder and how it progresses.
CNA - a certified nursing assistant usually accommodates patients with daily living activities as well as with some basic healthcare needs. CNA's work under the supervision of either a Registered Nurse (RN) or Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN)
To become a CNA you have to:
1. Be at least 16 years of age and hold a high-school diploma
2. Attend and complete a California state-approved NAT program with 100 hours of clinical training plus 60 hours of instruction.
3. Pass the California CNA State Exam. The exam consists of a written test and a hands-on practical examination
Where can CNA’s work?
CNA's can work in hospitals, retirement communities, or home healthcare services.
More About the program
You will have to enroll in a local community college or accredited private school, specializing in training CNA's. Depending on the school, you will be able to complete a program in as little as 6-8 weeks.
CNA program includes both lectures and hands-on practice to better prepare a student for future contact with patients. With hands-on clinical practice, students learn basic skills, such as vital signs (temperature, blood pressure, etc.), oral care, nail care, patients' information recording, and more.
Program time-frame:
Schools’ recommendations:
Santa Fe Springs 11627 Telegraph Rd Suite 101 CA 90670
Long Beach School for Adults 2153 W. Hill Street Long Beach, CA 90810
Encino 17200 Ventura blvd. Suite 303, Encino, CA 91316
(213) 444-8997
Rio Hondo College3600 Workman Mill Road Whittier, CA 90601(562) 692-0921
The Program tuition:
Around $1,800-$ 2,500
The Average Salary:
The average salary in California is - $36,342 –$ 55,000 a year, per 2020
Certified Nursing Assistants (CNA) often assist LVN's and RN's with patient care, such as monitoring, feeding, bathing, and hygiene. This allows CNAs to acquire more knowledge and facilitates to move forward with a career.
CNA is a perfect starting point to advance to higher-level healthcare positions. Many students prefer to apply for CNA right after high school to gain more experience and therefore decide which nursing career to pursue. Moreover, CNA is popular among individuals who are seeking to transition to a healthcare careers.
It is also worth of mentioning that there is a bridge program available from the CNA to LVN that will reduce the hours of learning on your way to become an LVN.
A Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) is an entry-level healthcare professional who delivers patients basic nursing care.
To become an LVN you have to:
1. Complete a 12th-grade education or equivalency to gain acceptance and attendance in a state-approved nursing program.
2. Complete a California state-approved training program
3. Pass the LVN State Exam (NCLEX-PN)
Where LVN’s can work?
There is a great variety of places to work for LVN's, such as home care agencies, acute hospitals, assisted living facilities, doctors' offices, blood banks, psychiatric hospitals, convalescent hospitals, ambulatory centers, dialysis centers, or correctional facilities.
More about the program
The program consists of both theory (nursing, biology, and pharmacology) and supervised clinical practice.
Time frame
About 1 year.
Schools recommendation:
12412 Victory Blvd. North Hollywood, CA 91606
(818)-850-7623
19300 Sherman Way, Reseda, CA 91335
(818) 757-4431
1305 E. Pacific Coast Highway Long Beach, CA 90806
(562) 938-4111
3600 Workman Mill Road Whittier, CA 90601
(562) 692-0921
The Program tuition:
May vary from $3,060 up to $48,630
The Average Salary:
The average salary of LVN in California is $56,917 a year, per 2020.
Licensed vocational nurses (LVN) work under the supervision of an RN or MD. LVNs may document significant changes in a patient's condition, perform wound care, administer medications, insert IVs, draw blood, educate patients, and other basic nursing tasks.
Alternative Pathway
Medical background in the military may substitute for an LVN program. There is also an additional pathway for candidates who possess bedside nursing experience and completed equivalent training.
A Registered Nurse with an Associate degree holds an Associate degree in Nursing (ADN). These RNs carry out treatment plans ordered by doctors, as well as monitor tasks performed by a CNA or LVN. An RN possesses a technical knowledge of nursing procedures and can work inside or outside a hospital.
To become an ADN/RN you have to
1. Hold a high school diploma or GED
2. The equivalent of 2 - 3 years at a state-approved program
3. Successful completion of the NCLEX-RN examination to become licensed by the State.
Where can ADN’s work
Hospitals, insurance carriers, doctor's office, colleges, and universities, assisted living facilities, convalescent homes, ambulatory care, home care, and more.
More about the program
The program covers topics, such as fundamentals of nursing, different levels of medical/surgical nursing, anatomy, behaviour health, obstetrics, pediatrics, geriatrics. Moreover, clinical rotations are required for both inpatient and outpatient care settings.
Program time-frame
From 20months – up to 2 years
School Recommendations:
1250 Bellflower Blvd, Long Beach, CA 90840
(562) 985-41 11
3600 Workman Mill Road Whittier, CA 90601
(562) 692-09 21
6201 Winnetka Ave, Woodland Hills, CA 91371
(800) 851-36 99
The Average Program Tuition
May vary $5,736 - $84,192, estimated average - $19 682
The Average Salary
The average salary of AND/RN in California is - $72,030 a year, per 2020 up to $160,000 during the COVID Crisis
Alternative Pathway:
Medical background in the military may substitute for an LVN program. There is also an additional pathway for candidates who possess bedside nursing experience and completed equivalent training. An LVN 30 Unit Option is available for those wishing to practice as an RN in California. Though no degree is issued, completion of an 18-24 months' course allows an LVN to practice as an RN (not an ADN or BSN). Designed as a career ladder for California Licensed Vocational Nurses wishing to become registered nurses.
A Registered Nurse with a bachelor’s degree holds a Bachelor's in Science degree in Nursing (BSN). A BSN receives higher educational training than an ADN and may have more job opportunities. These RNs carry out treatment plans ordered by doctors, as well as tasks performed by a CNA, LVN, and ADN. An RN possesses a technical knowledge of nursing procedures and can work inside or outside a hospital.
To become a BSN you have to:
1. Hold the Bachelor's in Science degree in Nursing, or BSN requires the equivalent of 4 years at a state-approved program
2. Complete the NCLEX-RN examination to become licensed by the State.
Where BSN’s can work?
Hospitals, as a clinical nurse specialist, nurse manager, nursing director, nurse educator, clinical research, public health, and more.
More about the program
As an RN with a diploma, you will most likely learn more about the fundamentals of clinical care. Whereas, a BSN-prepared nurse gains additional knowledge and experience and also acquires skills on such topics as communication, leadership principles, and critical thinking skills. This vital knowledge will facilitate in moving forward with a career. Moreover, the majority of hospitals give their preference towards a nurse with a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN).
Program time-frame
Around 4 years of full-time education
School Recommendation
Box 951702 Los Angeles, CA 90095-1702
(310) 825-3109
California State University Long Beach
School of Nursing 1250 Bellflower Boulevard Long Beach, CA 90840-0301
(562) 985-4111
The average program tuition
The average cost of earning a BSN degree in California is an estimated $39,600 for tuition alone.
The average salary:
The average salary the average salary for BSN’s in California is $89,529 a year for 2020. up to $250,000 in 2021
A registered nursing program allows getting financial assistance for the majority of universities. Students can apply for financial aid packages and scholarships even before their high-school graduation.
Alternative Pathway:
Universities may provide accelerated pathways for ADN to BSN candidates.
CNA > LVN > ADN > BSN
A Registered Nurse with a master’s degree may hold a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or another two-year advanced nursing degree. Often titled as an Advanced Practice Nurse (APN), their two-year advanced education is focused on a specialty such as education, public health, or healthcare administration.
To Become MSN/MEd/APN you have to:
1. Hold the Master's in Science degree in Nursing, or MSN requires the equivalent of 2 years at a state-approved program, in addition to the equivalent education for a BSN. Other master's prepared roles may fall under the Advanced Practice Nurse title (APN)
2. The successful completion of the NCLEX-RN examination is required to become licensed by the State as an RN if a license has not already been obtained.
Where MSN’s can work?
MSN/MED/APN can work in a very wide variety of settings. From hospitals, doctors' offices, non-profit organizations, private businesses to colleges. Mostly MSN/MED/APN work as Certified Nurse Midwife, Clinical Nurse Specialist, Family Nurse Practitioner, Nursing Consultant.
More about the program:
MSN program allows students to get an advanced level of knowledge on health assessment, pharmacology, research. Students will also have additional coursework and clinical hours to choose which type of advanced practice registered nurse to become.
The program time-frame:
Around 2 years
School Recommendations:
Doheny Campus 10 Chester Place, Los Angeles, Ca 90007
(310)954-4000
California State University Long Beach - 1250 Bellflower Boulevard, Long Beach, California
1250 Bellflower Boulevard, Long Beach, California 90840
(562)985-4111
The Average Program Tuition
The average tuition is around $60,000
The Average Salary
The average salary for MSN in California is – $135,920 a year, per 2019-2020
Pathway:
Universities may provide accelerated pathways for ADN/BSN/Master’s candidates.
Nurse practitioners (NPs) are also advanced degreed nurses and provide services to support primary care physicians. An NP can order and interpret laboratory tests and may opt for an additional license to prescribe medication.
To become a Nurse Practitioner (NP) you need to:
1. The Nurse Practitioner degree requires the equivalent of 2 or more years at a state-approved program, in addition to the equivalent education for a BSN.
2. The successful completion of the NCLEX-RN examination is required to become licensed by the State as an RN if a license has not already been obtained.
3. Also, additional education in pharmacology and an RX license is required to prescribe medication.
Where can NP work?
Family nurse practice (FNP) is the main career choice. However, NP's can also choose their path in acute care, pediatrics, adult-gerontology, women's health, and more.
More about the program:
The program consists of online coursework, in-person clinical practice, and on-campus intensives.
The program time-frame:
In the State of California, NPs must hold a BSN degree, which approximately takes 4 years of study. Moreover, 1-2 years of practical experience as an RN is required along with an NP program which will take an additional 2-3 years. The average time frame for becoming an NP is 8 years.
Did you know? California has been ranked as second for highest employment level
of NPs, and is on top of the list for highest-paying states for NPs?
School Recommendations
University of Southern California
5151 State University Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90032
(323) 343-3901
1000 E. Victoria Street Carson
(310) 243-3696
The Average Salary
The average salary for NP in California - is $138,660 a year, per 2019.
Alternative Pathways:
Universities may provide accelerated pathways for ADN/BSN/NP candidates.
The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) is a very advanced discipline of nursing science. Doctoral programs offer a broad range of educational topics from research to health policy. Both DNP and Ph.D. represent the highest level of academic attainment in nursing, nevertheless, two programs differ from one another. Ph.D. in nursing is more focused on research and science while DNP is more about clinical practice and leadership skills.
To become a DNP/PhD you have to:
1. Have the equivalent of a bachelor's and master's education, in addition to the state-approved doctoral requirements, which may include clinical and research hours.
2. The successful completion of the NCLEX-RN examination is necessary to be licensed by the State as an RN if a license has not already been obtained.
3. Additional education in pharmacology and an RX license is required to prescribe medication.
4. At least 1,000 clinical hours.
5. Final project
Where can DNP/PhD work?
Often as a Chief Nursing Executives at neonatal care unit, hospitals, educational services and many more.
More about the program
DNP/Ph.D. programs in California is based on a more advanced study of everything that has been covered in ADN, BSN, and MSN courses. During the program, students learn epidemiology, healthcare economics, and many other areas.
The program time-frame
On average 3-6 years of study
Salary
Chief Nursing Executives can earn as much as $300 000 per year.
School Recommendations:
Brandman University (Irvine)
16355 Laguna Canyon Road Irvine, CA 92618
800)746-0082
UCLA (Los Angeles
Box 951702 Los Angeles, CA 90095
(310) 825-3109
The Average Program Tuition
Around $75,000
Alternative Pathway:
Universities may provide accelerated pathways for BSN/DNP candidates.
The nursing career pace depends on your personal ambitions and interests. In some ways, starting as a CNA, can be considered as a unique, easy and affordable opportunity to get into the healthcare system. After you get enough experience as a Nurse Assistant you will have a better idea of which part of nursing attracts you the most. Moreover, this experience will facilitate in gaining valuable connections, and building your life per your ambitions.
Make your first step into healthcare today - enroll in Nurse Assistant Training Program with Los Angeles Skills Academy, and complete the program as soon as in 5 weeks. Multiple locations and schedules are available on the website.
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