CNA vs LPN: Choosing the Right Nursing Path for Your Career (2023)

FAQs

What is the difference between a CNA and an LPN? ›

The main difference between a CNA and an LPN is the kind of care they give. CNAs help patients eat and bathe, which they would typically do independently. LPNs do basic nursing tasks like giving patients their medicine, updating their medical records, and helping other nurses.

LPNs perform tasks such as processing specimens and preparing patients for surgery or diagnostic tests. Registered nurses create nursing plans of care, and they also administer medications and treatments. Licensed practical nurses and registered nurses work in the same facilities, often closely as a team.

LPNs usually provide more basic nursing care and are responsible for the comfort of the patient. RNs on the other hand, primarily administer medication, treatments, and offer educational advice to patients and the public. LPNs earn your ADN or BSN degree online in up to 1/2 the time and cost of traditional programs.

RNs have a more expanded scope of practice than LPNs, in that they can perform diagnostic tests, administer medications, and educate patients on how to manage their health after treatment. RNs also oversee LPNs, Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs), and home health aides.

When comparing an RN and a CNA, the scope of work varies. RNs have more autonomy to do their jobs compared with CNAs, who are assistants to RNs and other medical providers. CNAs have a more limited scope and work under supervision, but they alleviate the workload of others, allowing for better overall patient care.

“I believe in helping people, especially in times of extreme need. When I worked as an EMT I was always the one asked to facilitate information between any involved party. I want to expand this skill and I think nursing is a good fit for me. My interests and experience with medical professionals are good for this job.”

Nursing is a good career for a variety of reasons. Some of the top benefits include the ability to make a difference in the lives of others, exciting career advances, and the opportunity to maintain a desirable work-life balance.

ADN and Related Programs

The way to become an RN with the lowest level of education is to go through an associate's degree in nursing or ADN program. Most ADN programs are two years long and are held at community colleges. There are numerous options to choose from, including part-time and full-time programs.

How can an LPN contribute to a care plan? ›

The LPN contributes to all steps of the nursing process by communicating with the RN or the directing authorized health care provider concerning the patient's status and needs.

While the Registered Nurse (RN) has a wider scope of practice and is responsible for more comprehensive patient assessments and duties, the LPN/LVN is able to conduct focused assessments to determine the health status of patients.

There are benefits to receiving your LPN credentials before moving forward including: Quick entrance into the workforce: A practical nursing program takes approximately half the time that a complete RN program does. This means you can enter the workforce quickly, building experience in the field early in your career.

A big difference between registered nurses and licensed practical nurses is the amount of education and training they have received. An RN typically has a minimum of a two-year degree. However, most have a bachelor's degree. LPNs usually have earned a certification only.

LPNs will likely earn lower salaries than RNs. This is because RNs have more advanced training and can carry out more complex types of patient care. Average salaries across both professions depend largely on your education, experience and where you practice and typically do not reflect entry-level positions.

An LPN may participate in any phase of blood component administration after satisfactory completion of a training program that includes didactic instruction, supervised clinical experiences that incorporate each phase of the transfusion process for each of the types of components for which the LPN will be authorized to ...

Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) may, under the supervision of a registered nurse, administer intravenous medications and fluids provided the LPN has had the appropriate practice and annual documented education.

(a) Orders for restraint or seclusion must be by a physician, or other licensed practitioner permitted by the State and the facility to order restraint or seclusion and trained in the use of emergency safety interventions.

In some ways, being an RN is a lot harder than being a CNA. You have more decisions to make and more in the way of judgement calls. In some ways, though, being a CNA can feel harder. The job may be more physical.

Having CNA exposure prior to starting nursing school is a recommendation, not a necessity. However, many can agree that it better prepares you for the reality of nursing, and potentially reduces the fail-out rate.

Is CNA harder than nursing? ›

While both jobs can be very physically demanding, CNA jobs tend to be more physically demanding than nursing jobs.

Interviewee: Before your interview, you must ensure you understand the six Cs of nursing, which are: care, compassion, competence, communication, courage and commitment.

Caring is best demonstrated by a nurse's ability to embody the five core values of professional nursing. Core nursing values essential to baccalaureate education include human dignity, integrity, autonomy, altruism, and social justice.

Many senior-level nurses make an average salary of well over $100,000 and have the sought-after luxury of terrific job security, which can't be undervalued in this day and age. Depending on which nursing field you pursue, you can make even more, according to a recent article featured on nurse.org.

Yes, it is possible to get into a nursing program with a 2.5 GPA. Many programs accept students with a lower GPA. It may take some extra work from you, though, especially if you are applying to a school that typically requires a higher GPA.

Licensed vocational nurses (LVN) and licensed practical nurses (LPN) are similar positions. Both LVNs and LPNs provide basic care to nursing patients and work under nurses with more advanced titles, like a registered nurse (RN). The main difference is where the entry-level licensed nurse works.

Administer basic patient care, including changing bandages and inserting catheters. Provide for the basic comfort of patients, such as helping them bathe or dress. Discuss the care they are providing with patients and listen to their concerns. Report patients' status and concerns to registered nurses and doctors.

b) Surgical sutures, clips and/or staples can be removed by RNs and LPNs only with written or verbal order by the surgeon.

Can an LPN give a nursing diagnosis? ›

WAC 246-840-700 Standards of Nursing Conduct or Practice clarifies that only the RN is permitted to make a nursing diagnosis. The LPN may provide data to assist in the development of a nursing diagnosis. The LPN may document symptoms or other findings and may document using a nursing diagnosis already made by the RN.

The basic function of an LPN is to provide routine care for sick, injured, or disabled patients. Typically, LPNs coordinate with and assist physicians and registered nurses (RNs). The most common duties that LPNs perform involve: Monitoring patients, such as charting vital signs.

The hospital standards are specific to only a Registered Nurse (RN) performing the nursing assessment within 24 hours after admission. It may be possible for an LPN to collect the data and then have an RN review the data and complete the assessment to determine the patient's needs and developing the plan of care.

(2) Before delegating, the LPN or RN should consider the five rights of delegation: the right task, the right person to whom the delegation is made, the right circumstances, the right direction and communication by the LPN or RN, and the right supervision and evaluation.

Patient Education Topics

Working one-on-one with patients, an LPN may be asked to teach patients about pre- and post-care instructions, medication safety, disease processes, and preventative medicine.

Is LPN a Good Career? We could say that any career that involves helping people is a good one, and caring for the well-being of others on a daily basis is especially gratifying. Although LPNs work under the supervision of RNs, which means they earn less, it doesn't make them any less essential to the healthcare system.

The Critical Thinking Questions

Learning how to answer NCLEX-style questions is probably one of the most challenging parts of nursing school. Unlike most test questions you've probably answered up till now, finding the answer is not straightforward.

The main difference between a CNA and an LPN is the kind of care they give. CNAs help patients eat and bathe, which they would typically do independently. LPNs do basic nursing tasks like giving patients their medicine, updating their medical records, and helping other nurses.

The answer is yes. LPN stands for Licensed Practical NURSE. They are nurses.

Without question, LPNs like Becky Rhodes and Sharon Blackmon embody the title of a nurse because they provide incomparable nursing care and convey unparalleled professionalism. Nevertheless, some registered nurses deem that LPNs should not hold the title since they have less clinical training and education.

How old are most LPNs? ›

Licensed practical nurses are responsible for a range of hands-on patient care and administrative tasks, including: Monitoring patient health such as vital signs and overall health condition. Changing bandages and inserting catheters. Providing basic patient care, such as daily activities.

A Charge Nurse can be either an RN or an LPN. LPNs are more commonly hired in this role at nursing homes and assisted living facilities, however, there may be other settings depending on the state or area you reside. LPN Charge Nurses can supervise and delegate certain tasks to Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs).

A licensed practical nurse (LPN), also known as a licensed vocational nurse (LVN) in some states, works under the supervision of doctors and registered nurses. The duties of an LPN include taking vitals, collecting samples, administering medications, and ensuring patient comfort.

A licensed practical nurse (LPN) is a nurse that provides basic patient care. LPNs work under the supervision of registered nurses (RNs), doctors and other providers. LPNs work with patients to give basic medical care. But they're also a direct link between a patient, their family and their doctor and other providers.

As the name suggests, CNAs assist nurses with patient admittance and vitals. It is the lowest-level credential related to the nursing field and the quickest point of entry.

Tasks LPNs Can Perform

However, LPNs may supervise other LPNs, medical assistants and nurse aides. An LPN cannot supervise an RN because of the difference in scope of practice, as explained by the North Carolina Board of Nursing in its LPN Scope of Practice Position Statement.

What is above an RN? ›

There are five levels of nursing: Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN), Registered Nurse (RN), Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN), and Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP). Each level has different requirements, educational qualifications, and salary rates.

When it comes to the nursing field, there is no difference. LVN's and LPN's perform the same role. The only difference is that they refer to the position as a Licensed Vocational Nurse in California and Texas. In contrast, the rest of the country refers to them as a Licensed Practical Nurse.

An associate degree in Nursing (ADN) is the standard pathway taken to become a Registered Nurse. An ADN is also the minimum degree required to become a licensed RN. Those who complete an associate degree in Nursing are eligible to take the NCLEX-RN, a board examination that grants licensure to RNs in the United States.