{"id":13850,"date":"2025-03-05T12:33:34","date_gmt":"2025-03-05T17:33:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.goodwin.edu\/enews\/?p=13850"},"modified":"2025-03-05T12:33:34","modified_gmt":"2025-03-05T17:33:34","slug":"becoming-lpn-from-cna","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.goodwin.edu\/enews\/becoming-lpn-from-cna\/","title":{"rendered":"Do You Have to Be a CNA Before Becoming an LPN? (CNA to LPN Questions, Explained)"},"content":{"rendered":"

The field of healthcare is rapidly evolving. So, if you\u2019re interested in pursuing a career in nursing, you need to understand the different paths available to you. A common question aspiring nurses ask is how to become a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) after starting a career as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA).<\/span><\/p>\n

With approximately <\/span>16,900 LPN job openings<\/span><\/a> projected over the coming decade, now is the prime time to explore this question. Let\u2019s unpack it further below.<\/span><\/p>\n

What is a CNA?<\/h2>\n

A <\/span>Certified Nursing Assistant<\/span><\/a> provides essential patient care under the supervision of an RN or LPN. CNAs generally act as an additional pair of helping hands, taking care of daily patient needs such as answering call lights, assisting with mobility, and helping patients with eating, dressing, and bathing.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

As a CNA, you can find work in hospitals, assisted living facilities, and home healthcare agencies\u2014it\u2019s a fantastic role to help get your foot in the door if you want to gain field experience before pursuing higher nursing credentials, like LPN.<\/span><\/p>\n

CNAs are not nurses, as they do not hold a nursing license. While their work is still incredibly valuable, this career is often a launching point. Many CNAs look to transition into an LPN role, or sometimes an RN career, after gaining hands-on experience as a nursing aide.<\/span><\/p>\n

How do I become a CNA?<\/h3>\n

Becoming a CNA requires a high school diploma or GED equivalent, followed by completion of a state-approved CNA training program, which typically lasts 4 to 12 weeks. Programs generally include classroom instruction coupled with hands-on practice. After training, candidates must pass their state’s nursing assistant competency exam to earn their CNA credential.<\/span><\/p>\n

Certified nursing aides are not nurses and therefore do not need licensing to practice in patient care. While the CNA credential is important, it will not enable CNAs to deliver direct patient care or administer medications like practical nurses might do. Because CNA training is so short-term, their patient care responsibilities are very limited in comparison to LPNs.<\/span><\/p>\n

What is an LPN?<\/h2>\n

Licensed Practical Nurses<\/span><\/a> play a crucial role in patient care by assisting Registered Nurses (RNs) and doctors in caring for patients and providing additional medical treatment and support. An LPN\u2019s responsibilities include measuring patient vital signs, administering medications, updating patient records, and providing basic patient care in a wide range of healthcare settings.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

LPNs work across healthcare, in hospitals, nursing homes, physician\u2019s offices, and home healthcare agencies, to name a few, offering compassion and understanding to patients in need.<\/span><\/p>\n

How do I become an LPN?<\/h3>\n

To <\/span>become an LPN<\/span><\/a>, you must first complete a state-approved practical nursing program\u2014these are often offered at your local community college, as well as technical and vocational schools. After completing the program, you must <\/span>pass the NCLEX-PN<\/span><\/a> (National Council of State Boards of Nursing Licensing Examination for Practical Nurses) to earn licensure.<\/span><\/p>\n

LPN programs involve more in-depth studies of medical practices, patient care techniques, and pharmacology than CNA programs do. <\/span>Coursework in an LPN program<\/span><\/a> can include topics like:<\/span><\/p>\n