wordpress com stats

Should I Become an LPN or CNA?

Comparing two entry-level nursing careers: LPN and CNA

Written by Leanne on August 29th, 2011

Many people considering a career in nursing start by becoming a nurse aide or a licensed practical nurse. These entry-level positions offer an excellent starting point for a nursing career and can also become career positions themselves.

The benefit of being either a CNA or an LPN is that you gain hands-on experience as a nurse and can then decide whether you wish to pursue a more advanced career in nursing. More advanced nursing career options include becoming a Registered Nurse, becoming an RN and then specializing in one field of nursing, or completing a Master’s Degree of Science in Nursing to be a nurse practitioner. Nurse practitioners usually specialize and focus their practice on one particular area within nursing, such as oncology, labor and delivery or pediatrics.

When first starting out many people ask themselves whether they should become a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) or a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN). The CNA position has a very minimal amount of training, low prerequisite requirements and affordable cost of training and licensing. A qualified CNA training program must include at least 75 hours of training, which can be completed in about 6-12 weeks. Many community colleges offer CNA classes at a very affordable cost of around $300-$500. After completing the training courses you will take the CNA certification exam which costs $100 or less in most states. After passing the CNA exam you become a licensed CNA and can join the state Nurse Aide Registry and begin seeking employment. The downside of starting as a CNA is that your starting salary is usually around $10 per hour and if you choose to become an RN you will receive no credit for your CNA coursework. You can receive credit however for being a Licensed Practical Nurse when entering an RN program. A licensed practical nurse can complete an RN program in 1-2 years, but a CNA will take 2-3 years to become an RN. The average annual LPN salary in the US is around $43,000 per year, which is substantially higher than a nursing assistant.

Therefore, as one might expect, the CNA position offers easier entry but is more difficult to advance. The LPN career path offers higher initial pay and easier transition to further career advancement. The best choice depends on the individual’s career goals, personal preferences and what resources they have available.



Nursing Blog Articles


Why Should a CEO be Paid 600 Times as Much as an Employee

Free Training Classes for CNA Certification

What Makes a Great CNA

50 Nursing Scholarships For 2014

3 Free CNA Classes in Boston MA

3 Free CNA Classes in Chicago IL

3 Free CNA Classes in Dallas TX

3 Free CNA Classes in Detroit MI

3 Free CNA Classes in Houston TX

3 Free CNA Classes in Indianapolis IN

3 Free CNA Classes in Jacksonville FL

3 Free CNA Classes in Los Angeles CA

3 Free CNA Classes in Maryland

3 Free CNA Classes in New York NY

3 Free CNA Classes in Philadelphia PA

3 Free CNA Classes in Phoenix AZ

3 Free CNA Classes in Portland OR

3 Free CNA Classes in Sacramento CA

3 Free CNA Classes in San Antonio TX

3 Free CNA Classes in San Diego CA

3 Free CNA Classes in San Francisco CA

3 Free CNA Classes in San Jose CA

3 Free CNA Classes in South Carolina

RN License Transfer to California

RN License Transfer to Connecticut

RN License Transfer to Florida

RN License Transfer to Georgia

RN License Transfer to Illinois

RN License Transfer to Maryland

RN License Transfer to New York

RN License Transfer to Texas

Best NCLEX-RN Exam Review Guides

Best NCLEX-PN Test Prep Course

Top Ranked LPN Programs in Chicago

Top Ranked LPN Programs in Los Angeles

Top LPN Schools in Indiana

Top Ranked LPN Programs in Hawaii

Top Ranked LPN Programs in Houston

Top Ranked LPN Programs in New York

Top Ranked LPN Programs in Philadelphia

Top Ranked LPN Programs in Phoenix

Best LPN Programs in San Diego

Top Ranked LPN Programs in San Jose

How to Find Free CNA Classes

Pros and Cons of Hospice Nursing

3 Best Nursing Career Choices

Nurses Working Closely With Doctors

Taking an Accelerated RN Course

Added Value of an MSN Degree

Choosing a Career as a CNA

ASU Nursing - Mayo Clinic Partnership

Health Boards Cutting Nursing Jobs

Nursing Job Market in Maine Tightens

Tips for Buying Nursing Uniforms & Scrubs

100 Best YouTube Videos For Nurses

The Hard Part About Being a CNA

Is Bay Area Nurse Strike Justified?

Are Hospitals Phasing Out LPNs?

Should I Become an LPN or CNA?

Becoming a Pediatric Nurse

Nursing Careers in Assisted Living

Reasons to Choose a Career in Nursing

Top 10 BSN Degree Nursing Programs

Written by Nurses Link
NursesLink.org