Free Guide
Healthcare Career Roadmap
Every path from where you are to where you want to go — real timelines, real requirements, and real talk about what each step costs.
Built from the path I actually walked. Print it, save it, share it.
CNA → CRNA
6–8 years“This is the path I walked. Every step builds on the last.”
— Courtney
LPN → CRNA
5–7 years“Your clinical experience already counts. The bridge to RN is the key step.”
— Courtney
RN → CRNA
3–5 years“You're closer than you think. Strong ICU experience is the difference-maker.”
— Courtney
Any → Nurse Practitioner
2–6 years (depends on starting point)“NP programs often allow you to work while studying. Flexibility is the advantage.”
— Courtney
Any → Psychiatric Mental Health NP
2–6 years“I'm finishing my PMHNP now — graduating May 2026. Mental health is one of the most needed specialties.”
— Courtney
RN → Travel Nursing
1–2 years experience, then go“I did travel nursing during COVID. It changed my finances and showed me what I was capable of.”
— Courtney
How to pay for it
- 1Ask your employer about tuition reimbursement — many hospitals offer it and most people don't ask
- 2HRSA Nurse Corps Scholarship covers tuition + monthly stipend in exchange for service commitment
- 3Contact programs directly about financial aid — not all scholarships are advertised online
- 4Many NP programs are online — you can keep working and earning while studying
- 5Travel nursing pay can be 2–3x staff pay — save aggressively during assignments
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