Differences Between The Education For Nursing Aides (CNA) And Nurses (LPN And RN)

There are three types of nurses, certified nursing assistant (CNA), licensed practical nurse (LPN), and registered nurse (RN), usually found in a hospital, clinic, or other medical facility. All of them have different roles in the healthcare system and require a different educational background to perform their duties.

A nursing assistant must finish 75 hours or more of clinical training and classroom study. This training typically takes 6 to 12 weeks. Most of a nursing aide’s training revolves around learning CPR, first aid, and emergency processes and anatomy, physiology, and patient care skills. All of this training helps them perform the task of taking care of a patient’s most basic needs.

The licensed practical nurse, called a licensed vocational nurse in some states, typically trains for 12 to 18 months. In the classroom, these students learn pediatrics, pharmacology, physiology, and other relevant topics. In their clinical training, LPN students practice administering drugs and monitoring vital signs, collecting blood for medical testing, and caring for patients.

Registered nurses have the longest training period because they have the most responsibility of these three types of nurses. RN programs normally last 2 to 4 years with the student completing an associate’s degree or a bachelor’s degree. Some of the classes include microbiology, chemistry, pharmacology, anatomy, and physiology. The clinical portion of their training has the students working in areas such as maternity, surgery, and psychiatry.