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Differences Between a CNA and a RN

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The jobs of CNAs (certified nursing assistants) and RNs (registered nurses) can be similar in some ways but can be exceptionally distinct in other areas. For one thing, the jobs of CNAs are focused more on patient care while RNs work more independently, dealing more with crafting nursing care plans, assessing patient health problems and needs, and keeping track of the medical histories of patients. These differences between a CNA and a RN are largely what leads to different duties, responsibilities, salary, and training requirements. After all, RNs require formal training that is substantially longer than that of a CNA.

So, which is the better occupation that will best suit you? Well, first of all, you should truly ask yourself whether you are interested in the nursing field or not. You can take our short CNA compatibility quiz to get a general idea of whether you’d do well in the field of nurse assisting. If you are sure that nursing is what you want to do, you can start finding out what the differences between a CNA and a RN are, or whether you’d rather become a LPN. If you’d like to get first hand experience in the nursing field, we highly recommend becoming a CNA first, as you’ll always have the ability to enroll in a CNA to RN or even a CNA to LPN bridge program, which takes your credits earned in a CNA training program and applies them to your continuing education. With this route, you can earn money in practically the same field while you continue to pursue your nursing education. But enough with the consultation, let’s find out what the differences between a CNA and a RN are. Continue Reading →

Differences Between a CNA and a LPN

As you may know, a CNA stands for a certified nursing assistant while LPN is an abbreviation for licensed practical nurse. And while both of these roles fall under the category of nursing and each profession’s functions are similar, there are also a few differences between a CNA and a LPN that should be pointed out. After all, LPNs must go through more training than CNAs, which means they have more responsibilities in the workplace and as a result earn more. So which career might you be interested in?

And don’t worry if you can’t decide whether nursing is for you just yet, there is always the opportunity to become a CNA first with its minimal training, gain first hand experience in the field, and if you wish to continue you can enroll in a CNA to LPN bridge program (which takes your prior credits earned and applies them to your continuing education) to advance in the nursing field. So let’s continue with the differences between a CNA and a LPN. Continue Reading →

5 Interview Tips for a CNA

So you’ve completed training, the CNA exam, and applied for a job as a certified nursing assistant and they’d like you to come in for an interview? Great! That’s splendid news, but how can you ace that interview? Sending in your resume and cover letter was just half of the battle, the next step is to impress an employer and land that job! Obviously, preparation is the most important element; a person that isn’t properly prepared for an interview has less chance of getting the job than someone who knows their stuff well. So, with that being said, here are 5 interview tips for a CNA. Continue Reading →

How Long Does It Take To Become a CNA?

If you’re wondering how long does it take to become a CNA, then you’ve come to the right place. Here, we’ll explain how long typical classes take to complete and the amount of time it takes before you can get your certification and start as a CNA. You might actually be surprised how short the whole process is though, and the reason why it’s short is because CNAs only require certification whereas other healthcare occupations (LPNs and RNs) require formal education that can last anywhere from 2 to 4 years. So with that being said, if you’d still like to know how long does it take to become a CNA, keep reading! Continue Reading →