Are LNAs and LPNs the same

Updated:   Published

Specializes in future speciality interest: Nurse Midwif.

I live in Rhode Island and is interested in LPN programs in New hampshire. But I'm not sure if LPNs and LNAs are the same type of educations.

LPN-being Licensed Professional Nurse

I see all these threads on LNAs and I'm a little confused if the education is the same, but the Names are just different.

Can anybody clarify to me what a LNAs are and what they do.

Are they nursing assistants who pass out medication? can they write care plans?, etc.

I have my am a certified nurse assistant but I don't pass out medications in RI so does that have to be one of the requirements for this programs?

Thanks for the help

P.S.

Can anyone refer me to any LPN programs either in at a college or technical/vocational school (which every would be great)

Up Vote Up Vote ×

No, they are not the same. A LNA is a Nurses Assistant, formerly known as a CNA here in NH. Their scope of practice is most likey very similar to yours if not the same, just a different name the past few years.

LPN is a Licensed Practical Nurse- this does not require a degree but usually at least 18 months of schooling. One program I know of is 1 year.

Here is link to the NH board of Nursing which will descibe scope of each practice in the state of NH. http://www.nh.gov/nursing/

Schools that I am aware of that have a LPN program are NHTI in Concord (www.nhti.edu) which I think is a 3 semester program. Also NHCTC-Laconia in Laconia NH (www.laconia.nhctc.edu) the first year of the RN program is considered a LPN license. St Joseph's in Nashua also has a program. I am sure there are others as well- maybe someone else can let you know...

Any reason why NH or why LPN? I am just curious.....

Take care and best wishes!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Maternity, quality.

Here's a link to the accredited educational programs (if you scroll down to the bottom it lists the LPN programs). Most of them seem to be private institutions except NHTI in Concord and the Tech in Claremont. But as kukukajoo mentioned, NH allows RN students who have completed a certain portion of their program to sit for the LPN boards. Are you planning to become an RN at some point? If so, I would suggest going that route and getting the LPN as part of that (if you wanted to be able to practice as an LPN while finishing school). From what I've seen of some of the LPN-to-RN programs in the state they take about two years, ON TOP of the year to year-and-a-half already completed to become an LPN. So it's a lot of extra time and money. Just something to consider.

Good luck.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Here's a link to the accredited educational programs (if you scroll down to the bottom it lists the LPN programs). Most of them seem to be private institutions except NHTI in Concord and the Tech in Claremont. But as kukukajoo mentioned, NH allows RN students who have completed a certain portion of their program to sit for the LPN boards. Are you planning to become an RN at some point? If so, I would suggest going that route and getting the LPN as part of that (if you wanted to be able to practice as an LPN while finishing school). From what I've seen of some of the LPN-to-RN programs in the state they take about two years, ON TOP of the year to year-and-a-half already completed to become an LPN. So it's a lot of extra time and money. Just something to consider.

Good luck.

Some of the programs (LPN) that are listed are not accredited...just approved.

:)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in future speciality interest: Nurse Midwif.
No, they are not the same. A LNA is a Nurses Assistant, formerly known as a CNA here in NH. Their scope of practice is most likey very similar to yours if not the same, just a different name the past few years.

LPN is a Licensed Practical Nurse- this does not require a degree but usually at least 18 months of schooling. One program I know of is 1 year.

Here is link to the NH board of Nursing which will descibe scope of each practice in the state of NH. http://www.nh.gov/nursing/

Schools that I am aware of that have a LPN program are NHTI in Concord (www.nhti.edu) which I think is a 3 semester program. Also NHCTC-Laconia in Laconia NH (www.laconia.nhctc.edu) the first year of the RN program is considered a LPN license. St Joseph's in Nashua also has a program. I am sure there are others as well- maybe someone else can let you know...

Any reason why NH or why LPN? I am just curious.....

Take care and best wishes!

I am interested in a LPN program in NH because almost every program in my state has a wait list. I've checked out some programs in Mass, but I've missed their test date, or they are not accepting any more applicants. (at least the schools that I checked on) So I want to explore other options in another state. I don't care about the travel time at this point, I just want to start working as an LPN ASAP.

Does anyone know of a program that doesn't require pre-admission testing? (i know that most of them have a pre-test)

And which town or school is closer to Rhode Island, like boderline.

I would like to start attending a school that starts this year and end next year. Again, I dont mind traveling.

I've actually been taking classes for the BSN degree at my college here in RI. I'm done with all my pre-req's and co-req's, only waiting to be accepted into the clinicals. I will apply in the fall so I can be considered for Jan of 08, I have the GPA needed to get accepted, but its not a competitive one. So I'm worried that they will accepted other students with higher GPA. Either way, I would just like to start in a LPN program, which is a little more predictable on weather I'd get accepted or not.

Thanks for all the replies

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I THink NHTI in concord does not require the NLN for the LPN program but this may have changed. I would check their website at www.nhti.edu for more information. I think it is a 3 semester program that goes into the summer.

I would still apply at some of the schools you are interested in. I know that at NHCTC-Laconia last year they went thru their waitlist and still had one slot open for the RN program. This same program you can just do the first year and become a LPN or continue on and be an RN after the second year. Second year is just 3 days a week if you have the other classes done so many work as an LPN while attending school.

Best wishes to you!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion