Complete Guide to Step Up from CNA to LPN

There is a huge demand for certified nursing assistants as the aging population in the country and the number of healthcare facilities is increasing day by day. Various CNA certification schools offer different kinds of CNA courses for aspirants who want to start a career in the nursing and healthcare sectors.

There is also an increase in demand for CNA to LPN schools as they offer CNA to LPN (Licensed Practical Nurses) certificate courses which help certified nursing assistants to become licensed practical nurses which are a great step ahead in terms of your career.

Before enrolling for such courses, it is essential to know all the requirements, course structure, and other information about the license, etc.

These certificate programs last up to one year and you would be taught many responsibilities related to patient care like reading and monitoring vital statistics, administering injections and medicines, assist doctors and registered nurses. At the same time, they perform their duties, etc.

The CNA to LPN programs are basically considered to be stepping stones to higher positions in the nursing field and you would be getting to earn as well as learn by practicing as licensed practical nurses.

Requirements of CNA to LPN Programs

Before enrolling in an LPN program, it is necessary to collect all the necessary information about the CNA to LPN schools and the courses they offer.

The educational pre-requisites for the courses are that you must have finished your high school diploma and be certified as a nursing assistant. There is a limited number of seats and admission into the certificate program is bound to be tough and competitive.

You will have to be prepared for the background check and also an exam which may be conducted by some schools.

Some programs may require you to hold an experience of at least one year as a certified nursing assistant. It is also mandatory to have a CPR certification to be enrolled in CNA to LPN programs.

The course includes theoretical classes combined with clinical sessions and you would be trained on subjects like anatomy, physiology, nutrition, infection control, care for wounds, and nursing in case of special needs.

Apart from these subjects, ethics relate to the nursing job are also taught during these sessions.

Can You Bridge from CNA to LPN?

Once an individual gets his or her official certification to become a certified nursing assistant, they are on their way. They have started their career in the field of medical services. Like every other career,

A certified nurse aide (CNA), also called a certified nursing assistant, is an individual who helps patients with activities of daily living and normal chores.

The main tasks one will perform as a certified nursing assistant include taking vital signs, bathing, feeding, dressing, toileting, ambulating, comforting, and other things related to your client’s concerns.

As a nursing assistant, one can choose to work in different scenarios like nursing homes, rehabilitation centers, hospitals, adult day care facilities, long-term care, and hospice, as well as home care.

Since there is always a need for professional certified nursing assistants in the medical sector, there is a high probability that the certified nursing assistant will always have a job as well as room for career advancement as a nursing assistant.

The nurse aide is a key part of the health care team and it represents the link between the client and the registered nurse responsible for that client.

Every state in the United States of America requires a Certified Nursing Assistant to work under the supervision of a Practical or Registered Nurse.

This allows the nursing assistant to get groomed in the medical field under the guidance of a professional who has already been trained and knows the tricks and trade of working in such an environment.

But, all of this takes place after the individual officially becomes a certified nursing assistant, which can be done by following the instructions given below.

There are several ways to become a certified nursing assistant. One is to enroll and complete a nurse aide course provided mainly by two-year community colleges or specialized schools.

Another way to become a nurse aide is to follow a nurse aide training program at a long-term care facility or skilled nursing facility. The first step for an individual is to find a CNA school in their area or a community college which offers a CNA training program.

This can be done online or by asking other individuals or professional certified nursing assistants for a recommendation.

When a person decides which college or medical facility he or she is interested in joining, he or she should contact them and inquire about the course details.

Information sessions are usually held periodically for students interested in nursing assistant training. These workshops are highly beneficial as they allow individuals seeking admission in the course the opportunity to ask any queries regarding the course and clear all their doubts on the same.

In a typical CNA class, you will learn theoretical concepts and practical skills. Classroom instruction will focus on grasping theory while laboratory and clinical practice will give you the hands-on experience.

Topics Covered during Transition from CNA to LPN

This training is a series of theory and practical courses that includes topics like anatomy, physiology, psychology, computer education, and interpersonal communication. Some of the skills teach the students higher aspects of nursing:

  • Patient treatment
  • Spotting the illness
  • Basics of diagnosis
  • Effective communication before, during and after treatment
  • Understanding the psychology of patients
  • Leadership
  • Administration and management
  • Report compiling on computer and basics of statistics

The students are given a lot of practical training during this program. As they are already experienced and skilled as certified nursing assistants, they apply their own skills and the newly acquired knowledge while completing the course.

What You Will Know After Completing CNA to LPN Course

The following are some of the things you will know once you complete a nurse aide training course and shift from CNA to LPN course:

  • Methods to provide basic care to individuals of various ages
  • How to keep logs about the patient’s medical condition
  • Preventing and controlling infection for both yourself and the client
  • Effective communication skills to help deal with patients and understand and help them in a better manner
  • How to help patients with daily activities
  • How to ensure that the patients are comfortable in their environment
  • Proper feeding techniques for each client
  • Provide excellent health care services to patients and help them recover from their illness without any sort of discomfort whatsoever
  • As a certified nursing assistant, it is their duty to keep the patients in good humor and ensure they do not suffer from depression owing to their disease or disability
  • Once an individual becomes a licensed practical nurse he or she can also be asked to supervise other certified nursing assistants, guide them, and solve whatever doubts they have
  • A licensed practical nurse can also be asked to hold workshops to train less experienced certified nursing assistants and guide them to help them become better professionals

All the above factors denote the functions performed by practical license nurses. Still, they can vary from time to time, depending upon the nursing center in which the individual is working.

Along with these courses, an individual can also opt for online classes, which will help him or her become a professional licensed practical nurse from a certified nursing assistant.

These online courses have a slight disadvantage associated with them because by taking online courses, one can only gain theoretical knowledge and, at the same time, cannot concentrate on practical knowledge, which can be harmful to the nursing assistants in the end as practical experience is very important in the medical sector.

In fact, individuals without proper practical knowledge and experience often get discarded as professionals and can easily get fired and often are not able to climb up in their careers.

Career Advancement for CNA to LPN Programs

LPN (licensed practical nurse) is the same as LVN (licensed vocational nurse) are the positions that hold different names, but the job duties are exactly the same.

These 2 terminologies vary as we go to different regions across the country. Towards the South, the term is LVN; while towards the North, it is a licensed, practical nurse. It is an intermediate step between CNA and RN, in the career of nursing assistants.

As the name suggests, licensed practical nurses have lesser responsibilities than RNs, but they do have more responsibilities than certified nursing assistants. This is because of the level of educational qualification and practiced skills.

For getting to the desired level of education and skills, the students or more specifically; certified nurse assistants need to enroll in the programs which prepare them to become licensed practical nurse.

CNA to LPN programs enable qualified certified nursing aide to get more knowledge of nursing and to implement it practically while performing the respective job.

The professional certified nursing assistants thus reach the next step of their career and thus, start getting paid higher immediately. In short, CNA to LPN programs facilitates the transition of a certified nursing aide to licensed practical nurses.

CNA to LPN programs can be attended offline or online. Many schools, vocational schools, community colleges, nursing, and medical facilities offer these programs.

The syllable set for both types of programs is similar and the required course material can be easily obtained online. The training program lasts for almost 3-4 months after which the students have to pass an exam.

The exam is regulated by the NCLEX board and one has to pass it successfully so as to get the licensed practical nurse certification/license at the earliest. This particular program is self-paced and thus, the success mainly depends upon the hard work as well as the sincerity of the students.

The next step of this course is a licensed vocational nurse to registered nurse program, but those who have become licensed practical nurse can also work as a professional licensed practical nurse, as soon as they finish the program and get the certificate/license.

If one goes for a direct licensed practical nurse program without any prior nursing knowledge after high school, then for such students; the LPN / LVN programs last for about 2 years. Basics are also covered very well in the case of such students.

For enrolling in the CNA to LPN courses, students are expected to be qualified and experienced certified nursing assistants. Proof of background checks and a negative drug test are also among the requirements.

Some states have an entrance exam for getting admission to CNA to LPN programs, while some mandate to have completed certain prerequisite courses before this particular program. However, the requirements for getting qualified for CNA to LPN programs differ from state to state.

Thus, the students willing to apply for the course programs must check out the requirements by the respective state authority. The length of the program may vary as per the state’s requirements.

Employment Opportunities for CNA to LPN

There are many job opportunities available after completing the CNA to LPN programs.

The number of job openings has increased because of the increasing number of elderly people who need long term care in healthcare facilities as well as in their respective homes.

The home healthcare services also have increased the scope for an individual with LPN certification. You can find employment in hospitals, nursing homes, daycare facilities, outpatient care facilities, etc.

The salary is also very lucrative and can increase with increasing experience. Once you complete the LPN program, you will have to pass the National Council for Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN) certification in order to become eligible for employment in healthcare facilities.

The exam will test you on the skills imparted in the clinical sessions and knowledge on the various subjects. Some states are insisting on simultaneous education after you become an LPN.

The healthcare facilities also want their LPNs to acquire new skills and knowledge which would help them to maintain good standards in delivering proper healthcare services.

You can also apply for Registered Nurse certification which would help you to improve your career and become a nurse in a professional healthcare facility.

RN are said to be the most advanced and popular profession in the US and there is also the scope for increased salaries and job opportunities.

There is a huge demand for nurses as the number of healthcare facilities is increasing throughout the country and there won’t be any lack of opportunities to explore.

You will be involved in the treatment and care of the patients in a full-fledged way.

You would also be involved in the team of nurses and doctors and you would be expected to assist the nurse in providing medical and daily care for the patients. You will be fully involved in the recovery of the patient.

Job Responsibilities for CNA to LPN

Licensed vocational nurses traditionally work at hospitals, convalescent homes, long term care facilities, doctor’s offices, and surgical centers. They are desired to work under the supervision of doctors and RNs.

A licensed practical nurse serves the role of a middle manager. Being a self-starter, they often have added independence from the respective RN while working.

Generally, the tasks performed by these them are administering patients’ medication, preparing procedural rooms, setting up IVs, bathing patients, cleaning of their body, etc. Other jobs of licensed practical nurses are full-body assessment and monitoring the health of patients.

They also have the right to supervise certified nursing assistants (CNAs) as well as certified medical assistants (CMAs). They can undertake almost all tasks of RNs like recording medical history, giving injections, performing CPR in emergency cases, etc.

However, a licensed practical nurse gets more salary than the certified nurse assistants counterpart due to a higher level of responsibility. Although they can perform tasks of RNs, they are less experienced and qualified than RNs and thus, are paid lesser than RNs. They are not given authority or responsibilities as RNs.

After accomplishing the certified nursing assistant to a licensed practical nurse program, the students get their licensed practical nurse license.

This license has to be maintained by continuing education. If one is not doing so, then one must continue the active work as a licensed practical nurse in order to sustain the license.

There is a high demand for registered nurses (RNs) in the nursing field rather than licensed vocational nurses and certified nursing aides. This is because they require a supervising entity which is nothing but an RN.

Hence, hiring licensed practical nurses automatically requires hiring RNs too. Rather than paying both RNs and licensed vocational nurses, hospitals directly prefer to hire RNs. Hence, positions of LPNs / LVNs are to be phased out in some regions of the country.

Hence it becomes extremely important to secure a good certification along with the appropriate practical knowledge to become a successful licensed practical nurse after completing a CNA to LPN course and carry on one’s career forward after successfully becoming a certified nursing assistant.

CAN to LPN schools help you to become a licensed practical nurse and widen the scope of your career in terms of professional and personal growth.

As you are a CNA, you will get to earn a better salary and grow to another rank in the healthcare sector if you successfully complete the LPN certification program.

Completed Your Online LPN Course…… What Next?

Online LPN programs leave you with varied opportunities right from pursuing a higher course or getting a desirable job. There are various ways in which you can utilize your degree. Let us consider the various options available after the completion of an online LPN program.

To start with,

  • You can pursue a further degree by attending online LPN to RN courses,
  • Or even an LPN to BSN online class.

This opens an opportunity for greater success and salary of course. As these are also available online, you can add on to your qualifications with the same amount of flexibility and convenience as with the LPN programs. Most LPN schools offer training to advance to an RN position. By returning to the school you initially were trained at, you can get more information on the transition from an LPN to RN. The programs for LPN training typically last around a year, so it makes sense why so many people opt for this kind of quick rewards. However, if you want to become an RN, you have to invest anywhere from 2 to 4 years of training. You can either get an associate’s degree or a bachelor’s degree.

By completing your online LPN course, you take your first step into a professional nursing career. You are in no way behind those degree holders who have completed the course through a traditional university. Many of these online nursing lessons are delivered to you by the same faculties which can be providing regular nursing classes.

LPNs are in high demand in the medical field, and they are employed everywhere right from state-run organizations to successful private nursing homes.

  • After completing your online LPN degree, your job description will be as intense and diverse as every other nurse’s job requirements.
  • LPN’s are accountable for performing duties such as affected persons bedside take care of terminally ailing or physically disabled patients.
  • Additionally, they carry out such obligations as vital signal monitoring and recording to include blood strain, pulse, respiratory charges, temperature, top and weight, and any other pertinent bodily important components.
  • LPN’s are additionally required to observe catheters and clear and costume various wounds.

LPN jobs are very rewarding, but one should not forget that better chances for job opportunities, greater success, and higher pay lie with a higher degree. So, our piece of advice here would be that if circumstances permit, one should consider enrolling for a higher course after completion of an online LPN course. This can be done even with fulfilling one’s work and family commitments.