Nursing?

[KnottedYet]

When I was investigating it, CNA was a 3 week course. MA is 6 to 9 months, PA is 2 years, LPN is around 1 year, RN around 2 years, and BSN is a full 4 years. ARNP is a BSN who works several years, then goes back to school for an additional 3 or so years.

One of the hospitals where I did a rotation had a very cool program for CNAs: they'd hire folks under some other title (patient aid or something) have them work for half their shift, and get the CNA course at the hospital during the other half of their shift. (you got paid for going to class, and the hospital paid for the tuition as well.) After you finished the 3 week course your title changed to CNA and your pay jumped up.

Experience as a CNA helps get you into nursing school (you are required to have some sort of experience in healthcare for a lot of the applications, even if it's only volunteer or observation). CNA doesn't substitute for any of the nursing classes or prerequisites or clinicals, but it does give you a leg up in the field.