Difference Between LPN and CNA
LPN is the short from of the Licensed Practice Nurse while CNA means Certified Nursing Assistants or Aids. The students of the field of Nursing can find the difference between these two words a little confusing. Though the definitions themselves show many differences. LPNs are licensed nurses, when CNAs are only certified nurses.
One important difference between a LPN and a CNA is the mode of their services. The Licensed Practical Nurses or the LPN need to play more roles than the certified nurses.
Certified Nursing Assistant generally handles the general needs of a patient. Their core responsibilities include the food serving, bathing, dressing wounds, making beds and taking temperatures. Licensed Practical Nurse administers medication, monitors and dresses injury, takes the pressure, monitor catheters and fills out the observation charts.
An LPN may perform the duties of a CNA. On the other hand, one CNA can not perform the duties of an LPN. Well, LPNs are more in direct contact with patients, than the CNAs.
There is also a difference in education between a LPA and CNA. A person who wants to become a LNP will have to undergo a learning process of more than a year, which involves both theory and clinical practice. On the other hand, a person can become a CNA after only a few weeks of lessons. They just need to learn skills of personal care and donot need to do anything complicated such as a person who pursues a LPN exam.
To be a licensed nurse, an LPN must pass a state license examination. On the other hand, a person gets certification of CNA once he / she has completed training.
Another difference that can be seen between a LPN and a CAN is their salary. An LPN receives a higher salary than a CNA.
Summary:
1. LPNs are licensed nurses, while CNAs are certified nurses only.
2. The practiced nurse who has got a license has more duties to play than a CNA.
3. An LPN may perform the duties of a CNA. On the other hand, one CNA can not perform the duties of an LPN.
4. LPNs have a more direct contact with patients, than CNAs.
5. A person who wants to become a Licensed Practical Nurse will have to undergo a learning process that involves a year of theory and clinical practice. On the other hand, a person can become a CNA after only a few weeks of lessons.
6. An LPN receives a higher salary than a CNA.