Differences between RN, CNA, LPN, etc.

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I'm re-surfing in Allnurses (I stoped for a while) and there's a question I've tried to solve but couldn´t. What does RN, CNA, LPN, MB, BSN, PCTand MSN means? What are the main differences? What does one do that the other doesn't? :uhoh3:

By the way, in nursing schools do you specialize in an area during the first learning period or is it only after working for some time?

P.S.: Well, I know RN stands for Registerd Nurse. I'm not a complete ignorant... :p

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I'm re-surfing in Allnurses (I stoped for a while) and there's a question I've tried to solve but couldn´t. What does RN, CNA, LPN, MB, BSN, PCTand MSN means? What are the main differences? What does one do that the other doesn't? :uhoh3:

By the way, in nursing schools do you specialize in an area during the first learning period or is it only after working for some time?

P.S.: Well, I know RN stands for Registerd Nurse. I'm not a complete ignorant... :p

RN= Registered nurse, graduate of diploma, or Associate (ADN), Or Bachelors degree (BSN) or masters degree (MSN) must pass NCLEX exam after graduation

CNA= Certified nursing assistant usually takes a 3-8 week course with a certification test at the end.

LPN= licensed practical nurse sometimes calle LVN licensed vocational nurse they are the same thing. Graduate of 10 month to 2 yr certificate program from a nursing school. must sit for nclex-pn exam after graduation.

MB= ? do you mean MBA? which is masters in business administation

BSN- RN holding Bachelor of science degree in nursing

PCT- patient care tech basically the same thing as a CNA or UAP (unlicensed assistive personell)

MSN- RN holding Master of science degree in nursing

hope this helps

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Thanks, SMK1. It does clarify my ideas.

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I'm re-surfing in Allnurses (I stoped for a while) and there's a question I've tried to solve but couldn´t. What does RN, CNA, LPN, MB, BSN, PCTand MSN means? What are the main differences? What does one do that the other doesn't? :uhoh3:

By the way, in nursing schools do you specialize in an area during the first learning period or is it only after working for some time?

P.S.: Well, I know RN stands for Registerd Nurse. I'm not a complete ignorant... :p

CNA: Certified *** Wiper.

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rn= registered nurse, graduate of diploma, or associate (adn), or bachelors degree (bsn) or masters degree (msn) must pass nclex exam after graduation

cna= certified nursing assistant usually takes a 3-8 week course with a certification test at the end.

lpn= licensed practical nurse sometimes calle lvn licensed vocational nurse they are the same thing. graduate of 10 month to 2 yr certificate program from a nursing school. must sit for nclex-pn exam after graduation.

mb= ? do you mean mba? which is masters in business administation

bsn- rn holding bachelor of science degree in nursing

pct- patient care tech basically the same thing as a cna or uap (unlicensed assistive personell)msn- rn holding master of science degree in nursing

hope this helps

not necessarily. here in the phoenix metro area (4 million people), every hosptial i see hiring for pcts requires a minimum of a cna license, which is a nursing board regulated test. most hospitals that want a pct position filled, want an actual pct. the pct programs here require you be a licensed cna before even applying, then you must complete about the same amount of time as the cna license takes. they must take phlebotomy (100 successful draws), ekg class, learn sterile technique, wound care, catheter insertion/removal, and other miscellaneous things. the pct position isn't a licensed certificate pre se, but they are required to complete an actual program to learn those items listed above. the pct is a higher level of training than a cna. they aren't the same at all in this state, unless the facility calls them a pct, but only requires cna training.

the one pct program i'm aware of is here: http://www.pc.maricopa.edu/healthenhancement/patientcaretechnician.htm

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Not necessarily. Here in the Phoenix metro area (4 million people), every hosptial I see hiring for PCTs requires a minimum of a CNA license, which is a nursing board regulated test. Most hospitals that want a PCT position filled, want an actual PCT. The PCT programs here require you be a licensed CNA before even applying, then you must complete about the same amount of time as the CNA license takes. They must take phlebotomy (100 successful draws), EKG class, learn sterile technique, wound care, catheter insertion/removal, and other miscellaneous things. The PCT position isn't a licensed certificate pre se, but they are required to complete an actual program to learn those items listed above. The PCT is a higher level of training than a CNA. They aren't the same at all in this state, unless the facility calls them a PCT, but only requires CNA training.

The one PCT program I'm aware of is here: http://www.pc.maricopa.edu/healthenhancement/PatientCareTechnician.htm

here we have different levels of CNA (cna I or II) which would encompass basically what you are saying i think. this is a hard one to define because it does vary so much so i was just trying to give the op a simplistic idea of the roles. thanks for the extra info. :)

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Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.
CNA: Certified *** Wiper.
that was really uncalled-for, even if you ARE a CNA. It insults others who hold the same certification.

Please reconsider what you are saying, and if you would NOT say it to another's face, then don't say it here. Thank you.

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Specializes in Geriatrics/Oncology/Psych/College Health.

I was a "certified bottom wiper" for years and proud of it (no decubs on my watch! :))

The CNA is the backbone of long term care.

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I'm re-surfing in Allnurses (I stoped for a while) and there's a question I've tried to solve but couldn´t. What does RN, CNA, LPN, MB, BSN, PCTand MSN means? What are the main differences? What does one do that the other doesn't? :uhoh3:

By the way, in nursing schools do you specialize in an area during the first learning period or is it only after working for some time?

P.S.: Well, I know RN stands for Registerd Nurse. I'm not a complete ignorant... :p

Excuse me and no offense meant, but WHY do we waste our time answering these questions like the ones above.

To the poster who posted the above.....you have a computer and the knowledge to look up what you asked. Come back when youhave some valid questions.

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Specializes in 5 yrs OR, ASU Pre-Op 2 yr. ER.

Maybe they thought this was a good place to ask their valid questions.

Whatever happened to the phrase "there are no stupid questions?":uhoh3:

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Excuse me and no offense meant, but WHY do we waste our time answering these questions like the ones above.

To the poster who posted the above.....you have a computer and the knowledge to look up what you asked. Come back when youhave some valid questions.

Oooh.....crabby!

If you will check, the OP is from Portugal. She obviously is unfamiliar with our terminology and posted a valid and appropriate question.

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Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

I think we (myself included) need to remember: Not everyone who comes new here knows that these questions are asked frequently on the boards.

Perhaps, the mods/Brian can set up a forum for "frequently asked questions/debates" such as:

BSN versus ADN

LPN versus RN

Definitions of various roles/educational requirments in health care (e.g nursing, PT, CNA, CMA, etc)

Union versus Non union work environments

How will I know if Passed NCLEX/how soon will I find out?

Is online education equal to traditional route?

International nurse recruitment pro's versus con's.....

etc....

and other such things....perhaps links to past threads could be posted there. It may be helpful for EVERYONE, including new members. Just my suggestion.

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