Tuesday, March 14, 2017

Difference between CNA and RN

We find both CNAs and RNs in long term healthcare units, like hospital settings, diagnostic centers, nursing homes, assisted living units and nursing homes. However, how do CNAs and RNs are described and differentiated in medical field.
Mihail Sorbul High School Diploma

Job Descriptions

We find CNAs in the role of front line caregivers (see caregiver resume objectives) in medical settings who are chiefly responsible to offer basic healthcare like recording vital signs of patients, helping in bathing or feeding, moving or re-positioning patients as per necessity and many more.

RN refers to restorative nursing assistants who are associated with therapeutic department in any medical unit. The patients having a slow development or progression rate are treated and cared on different therapy programs. The main intention of medical facilities is to keep up those patients at least at the same level of development, even if their progress is not faster or up to the expected level. These patients are taken cared by restorative nursing assistants by the way of required therapy techniques.

Education and Training

Different CNA training centers, vocational schools, community centers and hospital facilities offer CNA as well as RN programs. Usually, CNA training programs extend more or less 6 to 8 weeks. To obtain CNA training, minimum requirements are GED or high school diploma, US citizenship, passing in TB and criminal background check program.

To get entitlement for RN program, candidates need to be CNA with working experience in any healthcare facility and valid licensure.

CNA and RN Certification

CNA training and certification process is entirely formulated and regulated by State Board of Nursing. However, position of restorative nursing assistants is rather the expanding role and responsibility of a CNA.

Candidates intended to become certified nursing assistants should undergo a CNA training program. On its completion they are supposed to appear in state competency test. Subsequently, they are issued with CNA certification to carry on their practice.

The state boards are not at all concern with education or certification matters of RNs. In fact, this is only a specialization study which is provided to prospective CNAs by in-house experts of medical facilities or private education providers. A formal certificate of completion is issued to RNs from that institute whereas in regard to state credential, RNs are supposed to maintain only their CNA certification.

Salary factor

As per Bureau of Labor record, average salary of CNAs is found at the level of $25,000.00 in 2010. It further shows the minimum or entry level earning of a CNA is round $17,810 whereas, its maximum touches to $34,580. The specialized CNAs, qualified as RNs are earning at least 18 to 20% more than CNAs

BLS overview on CNA and RN

According to BLS, RNs are recognized only as specialized CNAs who need to be made skilled to perform rehabilitative as well as therapeutic healthcare techniques as per necessity and need to work under the supervision of an LPN or RN. The community of CNAs is required to be trained as RN enabling them to take more responsibilities and perform in specialized fields in healthcare industry.  

Summary

CNAs are responsible to act as forefront caregivers in medical settings while restorative nursing assistants provide different therapy services to patients. This needs extra skill and mainly CNAs are got trained to work in the role of RN.