You don’t “work your way up” to RN. You need to go through an RN program. You can either go straight into it, or become an LPN first and then do an LPN to RN bridge program. Most RN programs require that students have their CNA license, but not all, and you don’t need work experience, just have the license. Some people debate over whether it’s necessary to have work experience as a CNA, I say it is helpful but not necessary. They teach you CNA skills at the start of your nursing program, and honestly, being a CNA is SO completely different from working as an RN, CNAs only do one tiny part of what RNs are trained to do, so it’s not like you really get an accurate representation of what it’s like to be a nurse by being a CNA.

I’m not sure how common Nurses aide’s are in Europe but i think I should add in a few things. Becoming a citizen in Europe or being able to work in Europe is a very hard thing to do for an American. Why would they hire a nurses aide from America when someone could do that already living in that country? Now Im not telling you to give up but picking up and moving to Europe is a very hard task. I would try England because I’ve heard its a littler easier to be a nurses aide there, as compared to other countries in Europe.   Personally I love being a nurses aide — or more specifically, a certified nursing assistant.