What's the difference between a CNA and an RN? CNAs and RNs both play critical roles in healthcare. In both roles, you can expect to work closely with patients, but that's where the similarities end. There are significant differences between these roles cover everything from required education to pay. If you're thinking of a nursing career, you should learn about the difference between these two healthcare professions. Starting your nursing career by becoming a CNA is an excellent way to break into the field. Learning the difference between CNAs and RNS will help you later on, should you decide to advance your career.
What is a CNA?
CNAs serve as frontline contacts between medical staff and patients. CNAs often work in elder care at nursing homes and assisted living facilities. CNAs help patients use the bathroom, dress, bathe and eat. As a CNA, your objective would be to help patients (and especially older adults) maintain their dignity in many ways. Because of these skills, CNAs are highly sought after to fill roles in nursing homes.
What does a CNA do?
CNAs are often the principal caregivers in residential care facilities. Many CNAs also work in home health care, providing more 1-on-1 care for older individuals.
Typical CNA responsibilities include:
- Encouraging patients to exercise
- Helping patients move, turn, rotate, and walk
- Cleaning and dressing wounds;
- Answering call signals;
- Assisting patients with bathing;
- Recording patient temperature.
- Dispensing medication
- Measuring vital symptoms (blood pressure, blood sugar, weight, and height)
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What is an RN?
A registered nurse (RN) is a nurse who has at least an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) and has passed the NCLEX-RN exam. Also, RNs have met all the other licensing requirements mandated by their state's board of nursing.
An ADN meets minimum education requirements, but a growing number of health care agencies require RNs to hold a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), either when they are first licensed or as a way to expand on their expertise after becoming licensed.
What does an RN do?
Because there are different nursing specialties, RN duties may vary widely. Your responsibilities as an RN will vary based on your work setting, training, education, experience, and specialty. However, some tasks are common to all RNs and that fall under their basic scope of practice:
The most common RN's duties include:
- Performing diagnostic tests
- Reading and interpreting test results
- Giving injections
- Administering medications
- Assisting in medical procedures and processes;
- Assigning tasks to CNAs and LPNs;
- Working with doctors and physician assistants to establish patient care plans.
CNA vs. RN: Key Differences
The difference between a CNA and an RN doesn't stop there. These two roles vary in training and education, licensure, and pay.
Training and Education
If you want to become a CNA, you'll enroll in a training program that can take three to twelve weeks. After you complete the program, you'll have to take a state licensing exam before applying for jobs. On the other hand, if you want to become a nurse, you'll usually need two to four years of schooling to get your ADN or BSN, respectively.
Job Outlook
Fortunately, the future looks bright for CNAs and RNs. CNA jobs are more in demand than ever before. CNA jobs are expected to grow by 21%, with more than 321,200 new jobs being added by 2022. Currently, there are over two million RN jobs in the US. The demand for RNs is projected to grow by 19% percent by 2022, with more than 526,200 new jobs created. The main difference in job outlook between the two is that there are far more RN jobs than CNA jobs.
Licensure
Speaking of becoming licensed, RNs and CNAs need very different certifications or licenses before beginning work. After finishing nursing school with either their ADN or BSN, RNs must take the NCLEX-RN licensing exam. Similarly, after completing their training programs, CNAs must get state-sponsored licensing or certification exams. While both exams have challenges, the one for RNs is much more comprehensive.
Compensation
The average pay for a CNA vs. an RN is very different. The yearly salary for a CNA is between $18,000 and $37,000. On the other hand, RNs enjoy salaries ranging between $53,000 and $98,000.
Why the wide range? It all depends on your location, credentials, experience, and education—however, RNs out-earn CNAs by a large margin.
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