CNA vs RN – 10 Year Career Model

CNA vs RN – 10 Year Career Model

Becoming a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) is a common choice amongst healthcare professionals who aspire to advance within the industry. The completion of a CNA program provides the necessary training and experience for students to make the decision whether to pursue more education and acquire additional skills that open up the doors to jobs with a higher level of responsibility and income. To become a Registered Nurse (RN), a CNA faces a variety of approaches, options, exams, and requirements to fulfill – all of which are dependent on state guidelines.

 

Primary Skills and Duties of a CNA vs RN

CNA training is an ideal choice for individuals who are undecided about a career in nursing or who wish to explore the possibilities that a nursing career may provide. The position does not require a nursing diploma or degree, and involves a small amount of coursework. The duties of a CNA generally involve overseeing the daily care needs of patients, such as bathing, dressing, feeding, fingernail care, range-of-motion exercises, bedpan procedures, taking temperatures, performing basic diagnostic tests, and making beds. CNAs work under the supervision of nursing administration and other hospital staff.

 

A CNA who decides to become a RN is expected to fulfill the duties of a more demanding job description that requires primary skills that go beyond what is learned in a state-approved CNA training program. The responsibilities of a RN are more involved with the medical care of a patient. They often administer medication, give injections, dress wounds, and oversee a patient’s vital signs. Registered nurses are equipped with the knowledge to operate hospital equipment, perform diagnostic tests, and analyze the results. RNs also supervise and assign tasks to CNAs.

 

CNA vs RN Education and License Requirements

 

The time it takes for a student to become a CNA depends on state requirements. First, a candidate must possess a high school diploma or its equivalent. Certified nurse assistants must complete a minimum of 75 hours in a recognized training facility, community college, trade school, or hospital in order to obtain a CNA license. Upon completing a training program, graduates must pass his or her state exam to have their name added to the state registry as a certified nursing assistant.

 

CNAs looking to become a RN typically gain the necessary training and experience in one of three ways:

 

• Nursing diploma – Students can earn nursing diplomas from a teaching hospital program, which usually takes between two and three years to complete.
• ADN degree (Associate Degree in Nursing) – This route typically takes between 18 months and three years of education at a community college, technical college, or vocational school.
• BSN degree (Bachelor of Science in Nursing) – Full-time students at a college or university generally complete a BSN degree program within four years. Accelerated BSN programs for students with a non-nursing degree often take 11 to 18 months to fulfill requirements.

 

The more education that a nurse receives, the better opportunities he or she will face to qualify for higher-paying job positions, as well as enjoy quicker advancement within the nursing field.

 

To gain nationally-recognized licensure as a RN, graduates must pass the NCLEX-RN examination, where every state in the U.S. has its own requirements and qualifications for licensure that are determined by a state’s Board of Nursing.

 

Pros and Cons of Becoming a RN

 

CNAs who decide to become a RN will benefit from advantages that typically make his or her course of study much easier to accomplish. The experiences of a CNA are helpful for students in a RN program, generally making it easier to absorb and understand the clinical instruction and skills associated with becoming a registered nurse. The training that a CNA receives also provides exposure to the kind of schedule, routine, and work environment related to having an advanced nursing career.

 

A certified nurse assistant that becomes a registered nurse not only encounters more responsibilities within a fast-paced busy work environment, but also has to learn how to efficiently direct his or her attention. For instance, three patients could request a nurse’s presence at the same time, and it’s up to the professional to provide compassionate, effective care within a timely manner.

 

Depending on the location of a job and state demands, the typical work environments for a CNA and RN are different. The majority of CNAs are employed within nursing home facilities, while most RNs find employment in a hospital setting. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), registered nurses held around 2.7 million jobs in 2010 – making it the largest healthcare occupation in the United States. Forty-eight percent of those RNs were employed in private, general medical and surgical hospitals. The BLS also states that certified nurse assistants and related job titles held about 1.5 million jobs in 2010 with 55 percent of professionals in the field being employed in a nursing or residential care facility.

 

Additional pros and cons that a CNA usually faces as he or she pursues a career as a RN include:

 

Pro – Higher Earning Potential: One of the most appealing benefits for CNAs becoming a RN is the higher salary potential he or she stands to earn. While income varies depending on education, experience, location, and work schedule, a registered nurse typically makes more than a certified nurse assistant. RNs also face extra opportunities to earn more money by requesting extra shifts and working overtime, especially when working at a hospital.

 

Pro – Seniority in the Nursing Industry: CNAs that become registered nurses hold a position of seniority over licensed practical nurses (LPNs) and other nursing assistants, and are often in charge of delegating tasks within their work environment.

 

Con – Takes Longer to Earn Credentials: CNA training programs are typically shorter, and related jobs in the field only require a high school diploma and the completion of a mandatory State Board of Nursing certification exam. An aspiring registered nurse will encounter a more involved, lengthy training period to receive his or her credentials. Depending on career objectives, a CNA must complete between two and four years of nursing school to become an RN. Nurse assistants willing to make the time commitment to become an RN usually follow one of two primary approaches:

 

• Earn an associate’s degree by completing a two-year program to qualify for entry-level nursing positions.
• Complete a four-year bachelor’s degree program in nursing to assume a higher level of responsibility.

 

Upon completion of a nursing degree program, an RN must pass the National Council Licensure Examination (or NCLEX-RN) in order to obtain a registered nursing license. Not every student is able to pass this exam, and must retake the test.

 

Pro – Greater Flexibility of Work Hours: While registered nurses that work in doctors’ offices usually follow a standard eight-hour, five-days-a-week schedule with occasional hours on Saturdays, RNs that work in a hospital setting often encounter a greater range of flexibility when selecting work hours. Depending on their specialty and place of employment, nurses may often choose from 4-, 8-, 10- or 12-hour shifts. Most hospital shifts generally consist of 12-hour increments, which also allow a nurse to work consecutive shifts in a row, and then enjoy up to four days off.

 

Con – The Drain of 12-Hour Shifts: While RNs encounter a more flexible work schedule, some find it difficult to balance their personal/family life and job when working evenings, nights, and on the weekends. For some nurses, the 12-hour shifts can take its toll. Fortunately, it is not uncommon for nurses to lend a helping hand by swapping shifts or requesting the overtime hours.

 

Pro – Continuing Education Opportunities: Many hospitals and other employers offer tuition reimbursement for RNs seeking to continue his or her education in a specialization. In some cases, reimbursements for tuition costs are determined based on a sliding scale that coincides with the kinds of grades that a nurse gets in his or her classes.

 

Con – RNs are Often On-Call: Registered nurses have periods of time where they are placed “on call,” which means that he or she is potentially liable to be called into work to handle personal cases, tend to an emergency, or assist with an unusually high volume of patients.

 

Pro – On-Call Perks: Although RNs split their on-call rotations between other nurses, hospitals typically pay time-and-a-half for the extra hours of work – a perk that eases the inconvenience of having to come in at any given moment. In addition to paying pay time-and-a-half, most states also pay a standby rate and a minimum of two hours of work, even if a nurse is called in for only 15 minutes.

 

Pro – The Opportunity to Travel and Easily Relocate: A CNA that becomes an RN can take advantage of the many opportunities to relocate and travel. For example, some parts of the United States hit by a nursing shortage will recruit registered nurses to relocate. Since RNs are in high demand, they are better able to secure employment both inside and outside of the U.S. with some hospitals paying relocation expenses, and in some cases, reimbursing the cost of nursing loans. Travel nurse companies also recruit, pay housing expenses, and offer bonuses to RNs who take assignments away from home. Some RN travel nurses can earn annual salaries as high as $110,000.

 

Salary Data and Job Growth Potential for RNs

 

Salaries for any healthcare professional will vary according to contributing factors, such as state-related statistics, including median salaries and the number of available jobs. For example, higher salaries are generally paid to nurses who live in states where the cost of living is greater.

 

As of May 2012, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) identifies the median salary for CNAs as ranging from $20,220 to $34,990 with the highest-paying state in the nation being Alaska.

 

The BLS also states that RNs working in Oregon ($78,530), Alaska ($80,970), Massachusetts ($83,370), Hawaii ($84,750), and California ($94,120)  earn the highest median salaries in the United States.

 

With the help of technological advancements and a greater understanding of medicine, a growing population of people who are living longer creates an overall higher demand for both CNAs and RNs. According to US News & World Report, a CNA who seeks advanced placement within his or her field can expect employment growth of 26 percent from 2010 to 2020, which is much faster than the average of all other occupation in the U.S.

 

Other factors that can affect how much CNAs and RNs earn include:

 

• Experience – Nurses with the most experience are oftentimes considered for promotions within his or her field.
• Education – Nurses with a bachelor’s degree are generally paid more because they often qualify for the higher-paying jobs that come with a greater level of responsibility.
• Specialties – Nurses who possess wide-ranging skills are typically in higher demand.
• Demand – States, cities, and places of employment in the greatest need for nursing professionals often pay higher wages and salaries.
• Type of facility – Overall, CNAs and RNs working in hospitals earn a higher salary as opposed to being employed in a nursing care facility.

 

What to Expect in 10 Years

 

Depending on the course of action taken when becoming a RN, the average 10-year plan for a CNA typically includes the following objectives:

Two to six months – A CNA completes his or her training within this timeframe, depending on part- or full-time study.

 

Two to five years – To become a registered nurse, a CNA must pursue part- or full-time instruction from an accredited program to earn one of the following nursing credentials:

 

• An associate’s degree [~2-3 years] – for entry-level nursing positions
• A Bachelors of Science degree in Nursing (BSN) [~4-5 years] – for more clinical or higher administrative nursing positions
• A nursing diploma [~2 years] – some programs require the completion of non-nursing prerequisites at another school prior to admission

 

Up to two years – Graduates must sit for the National Council Licensure Exam (NCLEX-RN). Most states require nurses to wait 45 days before taking the exam, and depending on a state’s specific nursing requirements, nurses must have two years of nursing experience and a specified number of hours of work related experience (plus clinical hours) before they can sit for the exam.

 

Every two years – A RN must renew his or her license (generally every two years) by completing state requirements, which may include taking refresher courses or completing a set number of supervised clinical hours to stay current.

 

Two to four years – Some RNs choose to pursue an advanced degree in nursing, which typically focuses on a specific area of nursing. A MSN (Master of Science in Nursing) or DNP (Doctor of Nursing Practice) program allows a RN to become an advanced practice nurse, nurse practitioner, nurse educator, nurse administrator, nurse anesthetist, and/or nurse midwife.

 

In the end, a registered nurse faces continued flexibility regarding his or her career, including more than 100 specialties (such as emergency, surgical, cardiac care, pediatrics, and community health) and a handful of advanced nursing degrees to pursue. It is not uncommon to see nurses transitioning into various job positions throughout the course their career – whether they move laterally, explore a different specialty, receive a promotion, or pursue a higher level of education, such as earn an MSN or DNP. With each level of education and year of experience achieved, the former CNA not only increases his or her income, but also enhances their skills and knowledge, which can make a difference in the future of nursing.