What is a CNA or CRNA?

Nurses Career Support Nursing Q/A

What's the difference between a CRNA and a CNA?

10 Answers

Specializes in Ante-Intra-Postpartum, Post Gyne.

A CNA is a Certified Nurses Aid, you can get training on-sight or take a one semester class. A CRNA is a certified registered nurse anesthesiologist, one needs their masters for this. An LVN is a Licensed Vocational Nurse,their program is three semesters. All three you mentioned are TOTALLY different

CRNA (Masters degree about 6 years)

RN-BSN (Bachelors degree, four years)

RN-ADA (Associates degree, two years)

LVN ( one and a half years)

CNA (One semester)

A CNA is a Certified Nurse Assistant; you can take a certification exam after (about) 12 weeks of training. It depends on the institution.

An LPN requires 3-4 terms of education (about 1 year) and are trained in basic bedside care.

In many respects there is little difference in the role of an RN (ASN) and an RN (BSN) until you get to more specialized ares of nursing. In terms of typical bedside care the role of either an RN (ASN) and an RN (BSN) is the same. BSN nurses have more opportunities for managerial roles and specialty care. And, on a side note, ASN nurses have MORE than 2 years of education. I'm working on entering an ASN nursing school right now, and we are required to take 6 terms of prerequisites (anatomy/physiology, chemistry, math, biology, etc.) before even starting nursing school, and the degree takes about 3-4 years to obtain.

CRNAs are, as was previosly mentioned, are nurse anesthesiologist, which requires a masters degree (about 6 years).

some states (or maybe just Ohio?) use STNA (state-tested nurse assistant) instead of CNA, but they're the same thing :)

Specializes in Nursing Home ,Dementia Care,Neurology..

So what is the difference in job description between an RN-BSN and an RN-ADA? Both are registered nurses by the look of it. I thought that your LVN/LPN was sort of equivalent to our EN's who do two years but maybe it is the RN-ADA that is nearer.

Specializes in Med-Surg, Trauma, Ortho, Neuro, Cardiac.
So what is the difference in job description between an RN-BSN and an RN-ADA? Both are registered nurses by the look of it. I thought that your LVN/LPN was sort of equivalent to our EN's who do two years but maybe it is the RN-ADA that is nearer.

To further confuse you, I think the person meant "ADN" or "ASN" which is "Associate Degree in Nursing" or "Associates in Science of Nursing".

For beginning entry level RN bedside positions there is no difference in job description when an RN, ADN or an RN, BSN graduates.

The LPN's education is one year long and is a crash course in bedside nursing and they operate under the direction of a Registered Nurse, MD, Dentist, etc.

All of these titles are US terms.

From other posts I've read on this board, I believe that Canada does not have/allow CRNAs (nurse anesthetists).

I would imagine that Canada has some role that corresponds to the CNA (certified nursing assistant) -- but I'm sure it's called something different in Canada, and I don't know what that would be.

Maybe a Canadian will come along and enlighten us! :)

Better late to the party than never...

The education of nurses up here in Canada is different from the US.

The PN is a 2+year college programme in the majority of provinces. A national exam is written three times a year to gain the license and you get a maximum of three attempts to pass it. Depending on where you are employed your skills will be limited or used to the max. There is a joke in my hospital--what's the difference between an LPN and an RN? Answer: RNs get PICS and are allowed to insert an NG and make on average $12/hr more.

The diploma RN has basically gone the way of the dodo. The BScN is required in 9 out of 10 provinces. I believe that diplomas are still an option in Sask.

CRNA doesn't exist up here. The gasman is always a doctor.

CNA is not a title up here. You are a NA (nursing aide/assistant), psw or hca.

The old SEN in the UK was very similar education and role wise. I've met a couple of LPNs here who were originally SENs in the UK.

Hope that has cleared up a few things.

Specializes in Ante-Intra-Postpartum, Post Gyne.
To further confuse you, I think the person meant "ADN" or "ASN" which is "Associate Degree in Nursing" or "Associates in Science of Nursing".

For beginning entry level RN bedside positions there is no difference in job description when an RN, ADN or an RN, BSN graduates.

The LPN's education is one year long and is a crash course in bedside nursing and they operate under the direction of a Registered Nurse, MD, Dentist, etc.

oops yeah that was a typo...I ment ADN/ASN

Well, if you already have a CNA license, how do you keep it current.

where can i get get a cna texas license? i graduated from a medical assistant program. Can i still take the CNA exam?

+ Add a Comment