Both Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) and Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) usually work under the guidance of a registered nurse (RN) or a doctor; however, the job of an LPN carries more responsibility than that of a CNA.  LPNs therefore receive higher salaries than the CNAs.  Because of this reason, most CNAs are looking for a way to to become a Licensed Practical Nurse and go up one step in their healthcare career.  In this post, we will discuss the CNA to LPN bridge courses which can help the CNA to transition to LPN while maintaining her job.

LPNs, often called as Licensed Vocational Nurses (LVNs) in states like Texas and California have a job role that falls somewhere between the CNAs and Registered Nurses.   By virtue of added experience and education, LPNs are usually self motivated.   They often assume the responsibility as a a mid-level manager. Registered nurses give more freedom and responsibility to LPNs than the CNAs.   Unlike an CNAs, the LPN is able to administer medication to patients, prepare IVs and set up procedural rooms.  And in many cases LPNs would be supervising other healthcare staff like nursing assistants and nurse aides.

CNA & LPN Salary Difference

The average annual CNA salary is around $27,000, and the average annual salary of an LPN is around $40,000, exceeding the average CNA salary by $13,000.  These salary figures will vary by experience,location, and employer.  The difference in he salary can be a good reason for a CNA to hope to transition her job to that of an LPN.

CNA to LPN Additional Education Requirements

If you are already working as a CNA, you’d happy to know that you can continue studying for LPN while maintaining your job as a CNA.  This is possible because most CNA to LPN bridge courses could be completed be part-time in the evenings or on weekends or even through distance or online programs.  It is also possible for you to get a study leave from your job for taking these courses; and after completing the LPN bridge program you can resume your duties as an LPN.  As a matter of fact, many hospitals, nursing homes and other employers often encourage CNAs working in their facilities to join CNA to LPN courses to advance their career in nursing.  Some employers may even offer to take care of the cost of your education. It is therefore better that you talk to your employer about your future career advancement plans.

A CNA should obtain the following skills if she decides to become an License Practical Nurse

• Administer prescribed medications to the patients
• Monitor glucose for patients suffering from diabetes
• Collect samples from patients for testing and to perform some routine laboratory tests
• Knowledge of injections
• Starting and administering IV fluid
• Documentation of the information and sending reports to RNs and other team members
• Teaching CNAs the process of sterilization of instruments and other objects.
• Assisting surgeons in operation rooms

Many community colleges and vocational colleges throughout the United States offer LPN/LVN programs.  The duration of these  courses vary depending on each state’s requirements, but on average it takes about two years to graduate from these programs.  LPN/LVN aspirants must also pass the national NCLEX-PN exam before they can start working as an LPN in a hospital or health-care facility.

The training/education required for an LPN bridge program depends on the state and type of specialty.  For example, In California, experience of at least 51 months in an acute hospital is necessary.  Clinical specialty requirements include two hundred hours in maternity or genitourinary, two hundred hours in pediatrics, sixty four hours in Pharmacology and additional sixty four hours in one of these specialty areas.  For other states, you’d need to refer to the guidelines by the board of nursing in your state.

Why getting CNA Certified is necessary?

In any profession, undergoing a formal training takes you a notch up in the ladder of success. Likewise, a nursing assistant who undergoes training formally can qualify to undertake the nurse aide certification course.  All you have to do is getting certified as a nursing aide after undergoing CNA training at a recognized institution.

Becoming a certified nursing assistant (CNA) requires state approved certification.  A nurse aide is not the same as a certified nurse aide.  The former is not certified whereas the latter has to undergo certification by the State Board of Nursing with whom the certified nursing assistant is registered.

A certified nursing assistant, therefore, performs all the tasks of a nurse aide and more.  As a result of it, a CNA will also earn far higher in comparison.  A nurse aide is qualified to help and aid patients who need physical assistance and even help in checking their vital signs.  But they are not authorized to use and apply the skills learnt by a certified nursing assistant.  The certified nursing assistant is empowered to work at health care facilities, doctor’s offices as wells as home health locations.

A nurse aide, who enjoys working and making nursing a career, can seek to qualify as a certified nursing assistant by choosing to undergo training to certify even while working as a nurse aide.  A lot of healthcare facilities take on nurse aides to work with them and this also helps them to take on additional training both on the job as well as formally so they can take tests and qualify for a higher position or change to a more paying department.  The earning potential and better job opportunities increase in proportion to acquiring professional certification as a nursing assistant. Continue Reading »
Why CNA Certification Matters?

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The career of a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) is a good step for students who want to make nursing their career.  On completion of the course, students have to appear for the State licensing exam in their state.  This CNA Certification examination comprises the theory and practical elements.

CNA Practical Exam
In the practical exam for CNA, the state examiner asks the student to carry out a few clinical tests on a volunteer.  The student must follow fundamental measures of sanitation and patient hygiene before starting the test as the examiner watches.  Results of the CNA exam are usually declared by the examiner on examination completion.

CNA Theory Exam
On completion of the practical exam, the student takes a CNA theory test on topics covered in the clinical training coursework.  These tests can also be taken online on numerous websites for free.  Theory exam results are declared within fifteen days and a temporary license is issued followed by permanent registration by the State licensing board.  Most permanent registrations have a year’s validity, to be renewed annually.

The initial license registration fee is a large amount; annual renewal charges vary in different states and costs far less.  In some states there is a requirement for continuing education or remunerated employment of a minimum number of hours in a health facility, based on which the license is issued. Continue Reading »
Renewing CNA License

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Training for Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) gets you ready to take the state CNA certification exam.  Once you pass the test with a minimum of 80%, you will be able to work as a CNA under the supervision of an RN or Registered Nurse.  Registered nurses usually teach at CNA Schools. Completion of the CNA training course can take a minimum of two to six weeks of full-time work.  During this time you will be taught some ethical and legal responsibilities you will undertake in your profession as a Certified Nursing Assistant.

The tests conducted for qualifying for a CNA position involves two aspects – the theory test and practical test. The training and tests are conducted for academics and clinical training. The theory can be done online, but clinical training involves working part-time with a health care facility, a nursing home or a local hospital.  Training may differ according to state requirements and could range from a couple of weeks to a few months.  Completion of the course prepares one to take the CNA as  a career, and to be able to give care to the mentally or physically sick, hurt, or disabled patients at a nursing home or a hospital.

The clinical part of CNA training for a Certified Nursing Assistant prepares the CNA to be able to check the vital signs of a patient like pulse rate, temperature, respiratory rate and blood pressure, Continue Reading »
What do you learn in CNA training classes?

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