>>13279848Basically the same end goal as a PA, but APRNs can take the smallest stepping stones in any field of medicine, and you're guaranteed a promotion and pay raise based solely on education.
1 semester, bam CNA. Do home health or hospital work. Avoid hospice and rehab facilities like the plague.
Bored and need more? 3-4 more semesters and you're an LPN. Make 40-60k/yr and enjoy having the least responsibilities of any nurse ever. Still try to veer towards home health, stay away from hospice and rehab. They pay you more than hospitals will at this level, but you'll hate your life working for people that literally don't care about you or your patients.
Another 2-3 semesters and you're an RN. Enjoy working in physicians offices, home health, etc. Try to avoid hospital float pools, with a 2 year degree you're worked the same as any BSN nurse but get paid way less.
2 more years and you're a BSN. Enjoy getting hired by leaving your resume in patient lobbies, bathroom sinks, or anywhere near HR. Any hospital in the country will now throw money at you while you sniff your own farts and post "not all heroes wear capes" pics on Facebook. Come to Vegas and make 6 figures w/ overtime.
APRN. An actual grind. No more seeing Tiffany or Stacey in your classes. Now it's Chyou, Margaret, Anna, and 60% of the rest of your graduating class is Philippino. These programs are actually selective, and can be frustrating for nurses to get into because it can take 2-3 years just to get enrolled.