Transform Your Healthcare Career Path
Certified nursing assistant (CNA) is a common starting point in a healthcare career. But you can choose from a variety of healthcare pathways that give you what you’re looking for in a fulfilling career with opportunities to excel, such as Medical Assisting, Professional Nursing, Surgical Technologist and more.
15%
Projected job growth for medical assistants between 2023 and 2033
6%
Projected job growth for registered nurses between 2023 and 2033
6%
Projected job growth for surgical technologists between 2023 and 2033
Over 20
Health Sciences and Nursing programs to fit your goal
CNA—Or Something More?
You know that you want to help people—you wouldn’t consider this type of career without that passion. But a nursing assistant (CNA, RNA, LNA, etc.) isn’t your only option to get started in healthcare or nursing.
In fact, many of the responsibilities of a CNA are already a part of healthcare professions like medical assistants, registered nurses (RNs) and surgical technologists, but with even more patient interactions and specialized care. The question isn’t if you can do it (we know you can), but which direction do you want to take your career beyond a CNA?
Discover the different skills and responsibilities, job outlooks, advancement opportunities and more for these in-demand Healthcare program options: Medical Assisting, Professional Nursing (ADN/RN) and Surgical Technologist.
Ready to Learn More?
More Skills and Responsibilities
As a nursing assistant, you’ll be familiar with providing basic care. Take that a step further by contributing even more direct patient care, including collaborating with physicians and patient’s families, and involvement in clinical operations.
- Medical Assisting: Gain first-hand experience with EKG testing, phlebotomy and emergency management, in addition to electronic health record system (EHR) tools and performing appointment scheduling.
- Professional Nursing: Develop critical decision-making and leadership skills to carry out the best treatment plan for a variety of patients, as well as educate their families on future care.
- Surgical Technologist: Prepare to carry out common operating room procedures, including assisting surgeons, sterilization techniques and interact with patients before and after critical procedures.
Job Outlooks and Career Opportunities
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the projected job growth potential between 2023 and 2033 for medical assistants is 15% (much higher than average), registered nurses is 6% and surgical technologists is 6%. With the rising aging population, focus on preventive care and retirement of many healthcare professionals, the demand for trained medical assistants and nurses is on the rise.
Demand for nursing assistants may be constrained by financial pressures on nursing homes, which might lead some facilities to close or reduce staff, according to the BLS.6 Surgical technologists are generally employed in hospitals, while medical assistants and RNs can pursue jobs in a variety of healthcare settings, including:
- Hospitals
- Clinics
- Rehabilitation centers
- Long-term care facilities
Education Advancement and Specialization
While CNA can be a great steppingstone into healthcare, there may be more educational advancement and specialization opportunities by branching out. For our Medical Assisting Diploma graduates, they can seamlessly transfer their credits to earn our Healthcare Associate’s degree (Health Sciences in Illinois) with a specialization in Medical Assisting and help expand their skillset. Our Surgical Technologist graduates have the option to transfer into our Health and Wellness Bachelor’s degree.
RNs can pursue more leadership responsibilities, including overseeing nursing assistants, licensed practical nurses (LPNs) and home health aides. The additional education also allows them to be in a better position to find a niche nursing specialization or pursue additional education, such as a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP).
How Does Rasmussen Help Me Get Started?
Receive a New Laptop
Eligible new students of select on-campus programs can get started with a brand-new laptop pre-loaded with the tools you need to perform at your best.
Medical Assisting Inspire Grant
You may be eligible to save up to $4,000 on your tuition with our Medical Assisting Inspire Grant. Financial aid is available for those who qualify.
Pursue Certification
Many Healthcare and Nursing programs require certification to pursue a career. That’s why our program curriculum is designed to help you prepare for industry certification, including the CMA or RMA, NCLEX-RN®, or Certified Surgical Technologist® (CST).
Certified nursing assistants typically work in a nursing home, hospital or home healthcare setting. Under the supervision of licensed practical nurses and registered nurses, CNAs take vital signs, lift and transport patients, feed patients, and assist with bathing and dressing.
While nurses, medical assistants and CNAs all interact directly with patients, CNA skills lean more toward helping patients with day-to-day activities, like going to the toilet and bathing, depending on the setting. RNs and medical assistants generally take on duties that require advanced training and knowledge, such as treatment planning, life support, critical care, phlebotomy, EKG testing and more. Medical assistants are also trained for administrative responsibilities.
At Rasmussen University, you can complete your Medical Assisting Diploma in as few as 12 months.
Many of our campuses offer online and on-campus courses that fit into a busy working schedule. You can choose to attend live online and interactive lectures or listen to recorded lectures at a time that’s convenient for you.
At Rasmussen University, you can complete your Professional Nursing (ADN/RN) degree in as few as 21 months.
You’ll get on track quickly with:
- No need for pre-nursing coursework
- No waiting list at many campuses for qualified applicants
- Eight start dates per year at most campuses, while some offer four start dates per year
This is an Associate of Science (AS) degree in Florida, and an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree in Minnesota, Illinois, Kansas and Wisconsin.
At Rasmussen University, you can complete your Surgical Technologist Associate’s degree in as few as 21 months.
You’ll be trained in four focused skills areas of surgical technology: operating room preparation, surgical procedures, sterilization techniques and compassionate patient care. This is an Associate of Science (AS) degree in Florida, and an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree in Illinois and Minnesota.
Accreditation Information
Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
Rasmussen University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (hlcommission.org), an institutional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES®)
The Medical Assisting Diploma program at the Aurora/Naperville (with an ABHES approved separate education center in Mokena/Tinley Park), Rockford, and Romeoville/Joliet campuses in Illinois; the Fort Myers, Ocala, Central Pasco, and Tampa/Brandon campuses in Florida; the Green Bay campus in Wisconsin; and the Bloomington, Eagan, Hennepin/Anoka and Mankato campuses in Minnesota are accredited by the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education School (ABHES).
Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES)
6116 Executive Blvd., Suite 730
North Bethesda, MD 20852
301-291-7550
Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN®)
The associate nursing program at Rasmussen University at the:
- Central Pasco campus, located in Odessa, Florida, is accredited by the ACEN. The most recent accreditation decision made by the ACEN Board of Commissioners for this associate nursing program is Continuing Accreditation.
- Fort Myers campus, located in Fort Myers, Florida, is accredited by the ACEN. The most recent accreditation decision made by the ACEN Board of Commissioners for this associate nursing program is Continuing Accreditation.
- Green Bay campus, located in Green Bay, Wisconsin, is accredited by the ACEN. The most recent accreditation decision made by the ACEN Board of Commissioners for this associate nursing program is Continuing Accreditation.
- Mankato campus, located in Mankato, Minnesota, is accredited by the ACEN. The most recent accreditation decision made by the ACEN Board of Commissioners for this associate nursing program is Continuing Accreditation.
- Moorhead campus, located in Moorhead, Minnesota, is accredited by the ACEN. The most recent accreditation decision made by the ACEN Board of Commissioners for this associate nursing program is Continuing Accreditation.
- Ocala campus (with an off-campus instructional site in North Orlando), located in Ocala, Florida, is accredited by the ACEN. The most recent accreditation decision made by the ACEN Board of Commissioners for this associate nursing program is Continuing Accreditation.
- Overland Park campus (with an off-campus instructional site in Topeka), located in Overland Park, Kansas, is accredited by the ACEN. The most recent accreditation decision made by the ACEN Board of Commissioners for this associate nursing program is Continuing Accreditation.
- Romeoville campus (with off-campus instructional sites in Aurora, Mokena, and Rockford), located in Romeoville, Illinois, is accredited by the ACEN. The most recent accreditation decision made by the ACEN Board of Commissioners for this associate nursing program is Initial Accreditation.
- St. Cloud campus, located in St. Cloud, Minnesota, is accredited by the ACEN. The most recent accreditation decision made by the ACEN Board of Commissioners for this associate nursing program is Continuing Accreditation.
- Tampa/Brandon campus, located in Brandon, Florida, is accredited by the ACEN. The most recent accreditation decision made by the ACEN Board of Commissioners for this associate nursing program is Continuing Accreditation.
Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)
3390 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 1400
Atlanta, GA 30326
(404) 975-5000
View the public information disclosed by the ACEN regarding these programs at https://www.acenursing.org/search-programs
Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP)
The Surgical Technologist AAS Program at the Hennepin/Anoka, Minnesota, campus, the Central Pasco, Florida, campus, and the Rockford and Romeoville/Joliet, Illinois, campuses is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP.org) on the recommendation of the Accreditation Review Council on Education in Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (ARC/STSA).
Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs
9355 113th Street N, Suite 7709
Seminole, FL 33775
727-210-2350
www.caahep.org