What's the difference between a CNA II and an LPN in NC???

Dixielee, BSN, RN · Aug 22, 2004

A CNA is a certified nursing assistant, an LPN is a licenced practical nurse....the big difference is the word "licensed". An LPN can give meds, take responsibility for his/her own patients and can not practice without this license. A CNA may do procedures but does not give meds and is held to a much different level of responsibility. Usually a CNA takes a 6 week or more course at a hospital or technical school, while an LPN is usually a year or so long. As far as at what point in the ADN program you are eligible for LPN boards, I don't have that answer. I do know of some students who have done that though. I also know of some who have completed RN programs but have been unable to pass RN boards but successfully passed LPN boards. The advisor at the ADN school should be able to clarify some of this for you. Good luck.

RNPATL, DNP, RN · Aug 23, 2004

I am sure this is probably a stupid question to most of you but, I can't really find the difference between and LPN and a CNA II?? I see several ADN programs that say "Eligible for NAII" after the second semester in the ADN program. Is that considered an LPN or not? Otherwise, I am totally confused because I don't see when you become eligble to be an LPN vs. an ADN in alot of the two year programs. Please help this newbie understand. :)
Thank you in advance!
Maggie

Maggie - I have recently asked the same question. Having just recently taken a management position, I have several CNAII's working for me. I really need to understand what they could and could not do .... I went to the North Carolina Board of Nursing website and printed the nurse practice act for proper reference. According to the nurse practice act, there is a very big difference between the two levels.

While the CNAII can do many procedural things that the LPN can do, the responsibility for these procedures still falls to the RN. If the LPN were to complete these task, they are held to a higher level of practice based on their LPN licensure. In addition, the LPN level has a more advanced standing in NC than I am use to. According to the nurse practice act, the LPN can do IV push medication, and can do far more complex procedures. In many cases, the LPN can function very closely to the RN level with the exception of some areas (one being assessment).

Hope this helps.

raymonsgal · Mar 25, 2010

a cna to can do all 24 skills listed on the cna 1 list plus these 10 skills: oxygen therapy, removal of fecal impaction, and sterile dressing change on a wound over 48 hours old, urinary catheters, nutrition activities, suctions, trac. care and elimination procedures. the nc board of nursing as allot of information...i am applying to lpn school in the fall but taking a na 2 course in may through the cont. edu. dept. of the same college hoping to get a job while in school...a part time one...so i can have so floor hours when i graduate...

ItsTheDude · Mar 26, 2010

as one poster has basically stated, cna2's aren't used that much in nc, because you can get a lpn for a little bit more an hr and they can do so much more.

caliotter3 · Mar 26, 2010

The LPN holds a nursing license and is working in the capacity of a licensed nurse.

MotivatedOne · Apr 4, 2010

A CNA is a certified nursing assistant, an LPN is a licenced practical nurse....the big difference is the word "licensed". An LPN can give meds, take responsibility for his/her own patients and can not practice without this license. A CNA may do procedures but does not give meds and is held to a much different level of responsibility. Usually a CNA takes a 6 week or more course at a hospital or technical school, while an LPN is usually a year or so long. As far as at what point in the ADN program you are eligible for LPN boards, I don't have that answer. I do know of some students who have done that though. I also know of some who have completed RN programs but have been unable to pass RN boards but successfully passed LPN boards. The advisor at the ADN school should be able to clarify some of this for you. Good luck.

I had a patient who is also a nurse suggest becoming an LPN after the first year of my ADN program. I spoke with one of my instructors about it and she said you can no longer take the NCLEX-PN to become an LPN halfway through an ADN program. I guess what I'm wondering, is how long ago did the ADN students you know take the NCLEX-PN?

MotivatedOne · Apr 4, 2010

as one poster has basically stated, cna2's aren't used that much in nc, because you can get a lpn for a little bit more an hr and they can do so much more.

NA II's are definitely being used in NC...especially in the hospitals.

l150 · Apr 14, 2010

Yes cna 2 are used but they aren't being paid much more than cna 1. I have been both and am a LPN,going for RN. Want to now they complete difference. Go the NCBON.

smartnurse1982 · Apr 16, 2010

a cna to can do all 24 skills listed on the cna 1 list plus these 10 skills: oxygen therapy, removal of fecal impaction, and sterile dressing change on a wound over 48 hours old, urinary catheters, nutrition activities, suctions, trac. care and elimination procedures. the nc board of nursing as allot of information...i am applying to lpn school in the fall but taking a na 2 course in may through the cont. edu. dept. of the same college hoping to get a job while in school...a part time one...so i can have so floor hours when i graduate...

nc has in my opinion some of the most confusing nurse practice acts. before i came here i would have never guessed cna's had levels. i don't care what ahs been taught to them but a can can't possibly know the how and why about trachs,foleys,and ivs. i hear in the hospital they can hang iv fluids. btw,an rn is responsible for what an lpn does too,according to the practice act.

l150 · Apr 16, 2010

Correct. A cna can hang IVs,monitor them and so on. I have done so myself when working as one in a hospital.ANd , yes ,RNs are over LPNs, just as LPNs are over cnas, and other unlicensed personnel.

MotivatedOne · Apr 16, 2010

Correct. A cna can hang IVs,monitor them and so on. I have done so myself when working as one in a hospital.ANd , yes ,RNs are over LPNs, just as LPNs are over cnas, and other unlicensed personnel.

Yeppers...CNA II's can hang IV's but I don't think we can actually change bags. I think we can only set them up. The nurse would have to come in and change the settings. I could be wrong but I think that's what I was taught.

I think in a hospital setting you'd be able to see a difference between a CNA II and an LPN but in LTC, you probably wouldn't be able to see that big of a difference bc most NA II's in a LTC facility are also med techs. They can't do assessments but they can still pass meds. An LPN as opposed to the NA II/Med Tech would know the therapeutic effects of the medicine's given.