Difference between CNA and Nurse tech?

Nurses General Nursing

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This may be a dumb question but what is the difference between a CNA and Nurse tech? I am trying to decide between the two. Is there a pay difference as well?

Specializes in Hospice, LTC, Med/Surg.

In nursing school clinical, we have one instructor overseeing eight students. During our first few med passes, we had to administer all meds in the direct presence of our instructor. Once in the second year of nursing school, the instructor would meet with us at the med cart and drill us on the medications and then allow us to administer oral meds, hang IV piggybacks and apply transdermal patches without her being in the room "if" we had demonstrated competency to her! Never were we allowed to do IV push meds or give any injections without direct supervision (as in the RN standing right over us). If I were to screw up and administer a med without taking an apical for a full minute prior....the supervising RN would also be responsible...so you can bet that they are supervising me! Supervision of all other meds was done by making sure we knew what we were giving, aware of the adverse side effects, and knowing all the considerations that are involved with administering meds. Working as a NT in the hospital, the same applies. We prepare to administer the same type of meds with the direct supervision of the RN (or LPN in some cases when it comes to routine scheduled medications). So everyone needs to understand, that this Nurse Tech position is not a way to function as a nurse without having to finish nursing school and obtain a license. It's only an opportunity for current nursing students to gain extra clinical experience that will allow them to excel in nursing school and become a safe and competent nurse...and of course the hospital offering such positions is investing their time and energy in someone's education in addition to increasing the odds of having a graduate nurse apply to work as an RN with their facility (hmmm...the orientation is already done, the GN already knows the hospital's routine which helps to decrease the preceptor's training time, and the hospital already knows what kind of employee they will be getting!).

Hooterhorse

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Specializes in PeriOp, ICU, PICU, NICU.

Can anyone clarify this for me. My state uses GN but I have heard of other states using the term nurse extern as well. Is this the same? If not, what is the diff between a nurse tech and a nurse extern.

Just curious!;)

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Specializes in Hospice, LTC, Med/Surg.

I have no idea what your states requirements/definition of a GN is or if it is the same as a Nurse Tech or Nurse Extern. I would "assume" that GN's and Nurse Extern's are a step above a Nurse Tech simply because you have finished and passed your nursing school curriculum entirely and simply are waiting to take the state's licensing exam. You would have to go to your states BON to verify the description and then view other states BON and compare to determine if there is any difference or simularity.

Hooterhorse

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Specializes in Adolescent Psych, PICU.

I work as a nurse tech (called a nurse partner in my hospital). I make $10/hr base pay (nights and weekends I make $12/hr). I work in the PICU.

I work one on one with the RN: assessing, blood draws, vitals, admissions, Foleys, NG tubes, suctioning, trach care, charting, accuchecks, istats, etc etc under the direct supervision on the RN I work with. My position is set up like a preceptorship. I do NOT pass meds (but can hep or saline lock). I can start IVs but I don't push meds through. I also help out in any way I can (gathering supplies, getting a room ready, etc). I am basically paid to learn and help out. I love my job!! My job is basically like what I do in clinicals (except not passing meds).

Where I live a nurse extern and a nurse tech are basically the same, I can't think of any differences at all. A nurse intern (this is where I live) is a RN the first year out, a GN is a nurse who hasn't passed or gotten the results of her/his boards yet.

I do not (and wouldn't want to) work on my own and I don't have my "own" group of patients that I am on my own with. Yes, I am a senior in a BSN program but in no way shape or form do I have my "own" patients, I am not an LPN and I am not an RN (yet). I am personally not ready for that responsibility thank you.

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Specializes in Med/Surg.
i was just thinking the same thing. what do we need the rn's for if we have nurse techs that can do so much!!!

i have to say that i am quite surprised and saddened by some of the attitudues displayed regarding nurse techs. nts are not working to replace the rn: rather, they are there (basically as students) for the great learning experience. i am very thankful that the rns i worked under were such great teachers; willing to help me in my journey toward becoming a nurse.

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Specializes in OR, transplants,GYN oncology.
I have to say that I am quite surprised and saddened by some of the attitudues displayed regarding Nurse Techs. NTs are not working to replace the RN: Rather, they are there (basically as students) for the great learning experience. I am very thankful that the RNs I worked under were such great teachers; willing to help me in my journey toward becoming a nurse.

Me too. These people are not nurse replacements. They are student RNs with greater education & skills than CNAs, who in my experience had to be enrolled in nursing clinicals to function in this role.

I did this while I was in school, progressing through NA, then this job (so long ago I forget what we were called!), then sat for LPN boards.

Progressing through these job descriptions as I made my way through school just made sense, both for me and for my employer (who happened to be subsidizing my education). I was progressively a more productive employee, and graduated a more confident and comfortable RN for the experience.

If you're concerned about nurse replacements, consider PAs, MAs in docs' offices, OR techs, etc. rather than these sorely-needed future nurses who will soon be joining our ranks. Linda

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You are giving meds w/o a license? Or, is the RN standing right there? Are you working using your LPN license? I guess I don't understand this "nurse tech" position. At the large (710 bed, level one trauma center) that I worked at for 10 years, we too had "nurse techs." Like you they had completed the first clinical year of a nursing program. However, they couldn't pass meds at all, because they are not licensed. You had said that you were an LPN, is that how YOU (and/or students that are already LPNs) do this? Otherwise, it is practicing waay outside your scope.

I haven't researched this, but the way it was presented to me when I started nursing school was that it was an expanded student role so you basically function in many ways as you would in clinical ( take a patient load and do primary care with certain things like IV's only with an RN). Apparently because nursing students can pass meds and do other nursing functions, this is why it is allowed.

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