Becoming a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) is often the first step toward a rewarding healthcare career. CNAs play an important role in patient care. They assist patients with daily activities, monitor basic health information, and support nurses and other healthcare professionals.For many CNAs, the position is a launching point for new opportunities. It can help you discover which parts of healthcare you enjoy most and inspire you to pursue a career with greater responsibilities, higher earning potential, or specialized interests. If you're ready to explore a career change after being a CNA, here are a few healthcare career paths that build on the skills and experience you've already gained.
1. Registered Nurse (RN)
What Does an RN Do?
Many CNAs choose nursing because they have already worked closely with patients and understand the realities of healthcare environments. As an RN, you could provide and coordinate care in hospitals, doctors’ offices, clinics, long-term facilities, and many other settings. RNs may:
- Assess health conditions
- Administer medications and treatments
- Develop and implement care plans
- Educate patients and families
- Collaborate with doctors and other care providers
- Monitor patient progress and document care
How to Become an RN
To become an RN, you’ll need to complete an accredited nursing program and pass the RN licensing exam.* After you go from being a CNA to an RN, you can pursue additional education and advancement opportunities in nursing.
2. Medical Assistant
What Does a Medical Assistant Do?
Medical assistants help healthcare facilities run efficiently by doing clinical and administrative tasks. On the clinical side, they may take vital signs, prepare patients for exams, and help out during procedures. Other times, they may schedule appointments, update medical records, and manage office communications.
Medical assisting careers may appeal to CNAs who enjoy interacting with patients and want to work in doctors' offices or outpatient settings. If you're a CNA who wants to move away from direct patient care, you can also choose to focus only on administrative assistant roles.
How to Become a Medical Assistant
You can take various routes to becoming a medical assistant. At South University, our Medical Assisting associate program is designed to equip you with both clinical and administrative healthcare skills. If you're more interested in being a medical office or administrative assistant (and less interested in the clinical side), our Allied Health Sciences program could also be an option for you.
3. Medical Billing and Coding Specialist
What Do Billing and Coding Specialists Do?
Billing and coding team members translate healthcare services into codes used for insurance claims and recordkeeping. They help organizations get paid correctly and on time. People who work in medical billing may also help advocate for patients if claims are denied. Common responsibilities include:
- Reviewing and maintaining records
- Assigning medical codes
- Processing insurance claims
- Checking billing accuracy
How to Become a Billing and Coding Specialist
Many people enter medical billing and coding after earning a certificate or associate degree. At South University, you have the opportunity to learn about billing and coding in both our Medical Assisting and Healthcare Management programs.
4. Medical and Health Services Supervisor or Manager
What Do Healthcare Managers Do?
Medical and health services supervisors and managers oversee healthcare teams, departments, clinics, medical practices, or larger facilities. Their jobs may include:
- Managing staff
- Developing policies and procedures
- Monitoring budgets
- Improving patient services
- Ensuring regulatory compliance
- Supporting organizational goals
Management can be a good career path for CNAs who are interested in business and leadership.
How to Become a Healthcare Manager
Many healthcare management jobs require a bachelor's degree. Our Healthcare Management, Public Health, and Health Sciences programs are all options designed to help prepare you to pursue different entry-level management roles in healthcare.
5. Community Health Worker
What Does a Community Health Worker Do?
Community health workers are dedicated to making their communities healthier. They help people access healthcare resources, understand health information, and connect with support. Their job duties might include:
- Leading health education programs
- Connecting patients with community resources
- Conducting outreach activities
- Supporting disease prevention efforts
- Advocating for patient needs
Community health may be a good career for CNAs who like helping people outside the clinical setting. It will also help if you have a strong interest in health education and disease prevention.
How to Become a Community Health Worker
If you want to enter the community health field, earning a Bachelor of Science in Public Health degree is a great place to start.
6. Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA)
What Does a Physical Therapist Assistant Do?
PTAs work under the supervision of licensed physical therapists to help patients improve movement, manage pain, and recover from injuries or medical conditions. They may:
- Guide patients through therapeutic exercises
- Monitor patient progress
- Help with rehabilitation programs
- Explain treatment plans to patients
Becoming a PTA could be a fulfilling career change for a CNA who likes hands-on patient care and helping people regain independence.
How to Become a PTA
Physical Therapist Assistants typically complete an PTA associate degree program. They must also sit for and pass state licensing exams.*
7. Mental Health Assistant or Technician
What Do Mental Health Assistants and Technicians Do?
Workers in these roles support people with mental health conditions, behavioral challenges, and developmental disabilities. They may work in psychiatric hospitals, residential treatment centers, behavioral health facilities, and community health organizations. The work often includes:
- Monitoring patient behavior
- Assisting with daily activities
- Supporting treatment plans
- Documenting patient progress
- Providing emotional support
How to Become a Mental Health Assistant
A bachelor’s degree in psychology is designed to give you foundational knowledge in the field that will help graduates support patients with mental health conditions. Your background and experience as a CNA will also be useful in this role.
8. Patient Representative or Advocate
What Does a Patient Advocate Do?
Patient advocates help people navigate the healthcare system and understand their options. They often are a liaison between patients, families, providers, and insurance companies. Their work can involve:
- Addressing patient concerns
- Explaining healthcare processes
- Coordinating services
- Supporting communication between patients and providers
- Helping patients access resources
CNAs can bring valuable empathy, communication skills, and patient experience to these roles.
How to Become a Patient Advocate
Studying psychology—on top of your existing knowledge of healthcare—could make you a competitive candidate in applying for this role. Employers may also consider candidates with degrees in areas like public health, health sciences, and healthcare management.
9. Physician Assistant (PA)
What Does a Physician Assistant Do?
Physician Assistants (PAs) are licensed healthcare professionals who diagnose illnesses, develop treatment plans, prescribe medications, and assist in medical procedures under the supervision of a physician. Depending on state laws and their practice setting, PAs may:
- Conduct physical exams
- Order and interpret diagnostic tests
- Diagnose and treat common illnesses and injuries
- Assist in surgery
- Counsel patients on preventive care and healthy lifestyles
- Collaborate with physicians and other healthcare team members
For CNAs who enjoy hands-on patient care and want to take on greater clinical responsibilities, becoming a Physician Assistant may be a rewarding long-term career goal.
How to Become a PA
Becoming a Physician Assistant requires completing a Master of Science in PA program and passing a licensure exam.* Before that, you’ll need to earn a bachelor's degree in a related field and finish any required prerequisite coursework. Many PA programs also want you to have direct patient care experience, making CNA experience a valuable asset during the admissions process.
Get Started on Your CNA Career Change Plan
Working as a CNA provides valuable healthcare experience that may prepare you to pursue opportunities in many career paths. Whether you're interested in direct patient care, healthcare management, rehabilitation, public health, or behavioral health, there are many ways to build on the skills you've already developed.
As you explore your options for a CNA career change, consider your interests, strengths, preferred work environment, and long-term career goals. With the right education and training, your CNA experience can serve as a strong foundation for continued growth in the healthcare field! Talk with a South University admissions representative to learn more about your educational options and career paths for CNA.
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Programs, including all Clinical/Medical programs, have a required in-person, practicum, or externship. We cannot guarantee flexibility in these components of the program.
*Graduates are required to pass the national certification exam and obtain a state license in order to work in the field. (Exam names vary by program.) Please refer to the State Professional Licensure Determination and National Certification/Licensure section of the University catalog for additional information. South University cannot guarantee each graduate will pass the required licensure examinations. South University does not promise or guarantee licensure, employment or salary amounts.
