CNA, LVN, RN, ADN, BSN, what???

lrlat · Jun 27, 2011

CNA certified nurses assistant...usually 2 weeks of classes..3 months training ..test

LVN/LPN licensed vocational/practical nurse .....some pre-reqs varies according to state 11-13 months

RN registered nurse pre-reqs and 2 year nursing school WHICH gives you a ADN associate degree of nursing

BSN bachelors degree of nursing

RKpianoman, APRN · Jun 27, 2011

CNA = collecting vital signs, bathing, assisting to bathroom, an extra set of eyes and ears for the nurse, pretty much the best thing since sliced bread if they do their job well and nurses don't take them for granted

LVN/LPN = a lot of Dr's offices and long-term care facilities use these for giving medicines, doing assessments, and everything a CNA does. An LPN II is generally an LPN who can do limited work wtih IV medicines.

ASN/ADN = Associates degree in nursing, RN, does all of the above plus whatever their state determines is within their scope of practice.

BSN = Bachelors degree in nursing, RN, a lot of hospitals are talking about trying to hire more BSNs, plus it is easier to pursue advanced degrees and management positions with a BSN

By far, RNs are the most hired by hospitals. Both ADNs and BSNs can be RNs. RN is a professional licensure, ADN or BSN is simply the college degree required to take the NCLEX-RN to become an RN.

kimmeyd · Jun 28, 2011

If you're trying to figure out which one to do...

-RNs (both ADN and BSN) get paid the most (50-80K/yr) but it takes longer to finish the degree & prereqs (about 3 1/2-4 1/2years), and there is also a strict selection process to get into a program. (hospital jobs are easier to find as a BSN but not too bad for ADNs either) Most nurses you see in a hospital setting are RNs.

LVNs make around 25-40k/yr and it takes about 1-2 years to finish the program, not a degree only certificate. (in hospitals jobs are difficult to find, easier in home-health or nursing homes)

CNA/"Tech"/MA(medical assistant) make around 20-25k/yr and it takes about 6-12 weeks of training. (jobs are easy to find at doctor's offices, hospitals)

turnforthenurse, MSN, NP · Jun 28, 2011

CNA = certified nursing assistant. They have to take a course and an exam (I believe both skills and written?) to become certified. Keep in mind that other hospitals utilize other types of UAP's, or unlicensed assistive personnel. This varies on both the hospital and the area you are in. You might encounter NA's, or nursing assistants - which may be CNA's or not. At the hospital I used to work at, we had NA's - some were CNA's and some were not. Regardless, they were just called NA's. At my facility, NA's did very basic care - AM care (bed baths), changing linens, I/O's (but they were not allowed to touch IV pumps. They could empty JP drains and hemovac drains), assisting patients with needs/toileting and ambulating patients. They were not allowed to do blood sugars.

There are also NT's, or nurse techs. I worked as a tech for about a year and a half. We were allowed to do everything the CNA's could do, plus insert IV's/foleys, trach care/suctioning, sterile dressing changes, prime tube feeding pumps, and check blood sugars.

LVN or LPN = licensed vocational nurse or licensed practical nurse. Take a 1-2 year program and finish with a certificate. They have to take the NCLEX-PN licensure exam and pass in order to get their LPN license. Most work in doctor's offices or nursing homes. Some work in hospitals. LPN's can administer medications and do assessments in addition to doing what a CNA can do. They cannot do anything with IV's unless they are IV-certified. They cannot hang blood, ever. They are to get chronic, stable patients with predictable outcomes. They do everything in collaboration with the RN.

RN = registered nurse. There are different degrees - ADN/ASN (associate's degree in nursing/associate's of science in nursing), BSN (bachelor's of science of nursing) and MSN (master's of science in nursing) in addition to a plethora of certifications that one can obtain. Upon graduation, individuals with an ADN/ASN or BSN need to pass the NCLEX-RN exam in order to get their RN license. Programs range 2-4 years, depending on the degree. Master's programs I believe are around 18 months in length. A majority of RN's work in hospitals.

kimmeyd · Jun 28, 2011

Whoa...what hospital did you work at b/c doing IVs, foleys, trach care, sterile dressing changes are NOT in the scope of practice for a tech and I would not, as a RN, delegate any of those to a tech! Even LPN/LVNs have to go through extra training to do those. I am not saying you did not do them, just saying I won't be going to that hospital!!! SCARY!

Luularoo · Jul 6, 2011

Thank you everyone for your replies!