CNA vs. RN Career Paths: Different Nursing Careers You Can Pursue
If you are empathetic and want to help others, consider a career in nursing for a secure and rewarding future. In general, nursing careers involve providing direct or hands-on health care to families or individuals in their homes, hospitals, or other care facilities. The world of nursing is broad. Various titles, specialties, certifications, and levels of education differentiate the types of nursing.
The levels of education within nursing provide vast opportunities. Some nursing career paths don’t require advanced education to provide quality care to patients. Ever heard of a certified nursing assistant (CNA)? CNAs hold nursing roles that don’t need a higher level of education. However, someone who is a registered nurse (RN) has a varying higher education level. Let’s analyze more CNA vs. RN and a few potential career paths you can choose.
What is a Registered Nurse?
A registered nurse (RN) is an individual who has completed a state-approved nursing program and earned a degree— an Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). Before providing care to patients, an RN must become medically licensed by passing a national exam called the NCLEX-RN exam, approved by the state nursing board.
An RN's task or duties will change depending on the specialty and facility type. However, an RN will have responsibilities related to:
Patient care including obtaining vital signs, feeding, or dressing the patient.
Administrative duties such as discharging the patient and coordinating care with other physicians
Patient and family education about diagnosis and disease.
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Salary and career outlook
Being a registered nurse (RN) is rewarding in tangible and intangible ways. Right now, let’s focus on the tangible. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the average yearly pay for a registered nurse was $75,330 in May 2020. The lowest ten percent earned less than $53,410, and the top ten percent earned more than $116,230. Salaries also change based on the state, city, or area you live in.
As people age and chronic diseases like diabetes become more prevalent, the need for quality healthcare increases. Hence, the demand for registered nurses keeps going up. The BLS projects that RN jobs will increase by nine percent from 2020 to 2030. They are also expecting high demand for RN jobs in outpatient clinics and long-term care facilities based on statistics.
As of May 2020, the top five industries to work as a registered nurse are:
Government- annual median salary: $84,490;
Hospital, all sectors (state, local, private) - annual median salary: $76,840;
Ambulatory Healthcare Services - annual median salary: $72,340;
Nursing and Residential Care Facilities- annual median salary: $68,450;
Educational Services, all sectors (state, local, private)- annual median salary: $64,630.
RN Career Paths
Becoming a registered nurse (RN) is not a limited career. There are options to gain further experience in different areas to become a specialist. You can obtain additional certification, use your clinical expertise to land roles in management, or teach other nurses how to be good nurses. Becoming an RN is the starting point for you to follow a career path unique to you and your interests.
Emergency room (ER) nurse
An RN working as an Emergency Room (ER) nurse experiences a fast-paced, chaotic work environment daily. ER nurses treat patients of all ages — infants, children, adults, and geriatric (senior adults)— during traumatic, life-threatening injuries and illnesses. They have to be quick with assessing crises and responding appropriately.
Some duties of an ER nurse include:
Complete assessment of the patient in need of immediate care
Triage patients
Obtain vital signs, pulse oximetry, EKG (electrocardiogram)
Administer intravenous medications
Perform minor procedures like dressing wounds
Collect samples of urine, blood, and stool
“ER nurse” is a general term for nurses within an Emergency Department. However, RNs fulfill many different roles within the ER. Not all Emergency Departments, clinics, and hospitals are the same. They each have sub-specialties. Roles will change based on the ER and the local community's needs.
Intensive care unit (ICU) nurse
An Intensive Care Unit (ICU) nurse is a more specialized path for an RN. ICU nurses, also called Critical Care nurses, treat critically ill or unstable patients after surgery, injury, or severe diseases. They are commonly intubated, on life support, and placed on ventilators. Patients within the ICU require around-the-clock care.
A few responsibilities of an ICU nurse are:
Monitor patient progress;
Administer intravenous (IV) medications and monitor dosage;
Update doctors and other members of the care team on patient condition and progress;
Document patient progress and update and maintain all paperwork.
ICU nurses treat adult patients. However, other sub-specialties of the ICU include the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) and the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).
Pediatric nurse
A pediatric nurse is an RN who treats injuries and illnesses for children following them from birth through their teenage years. This specialized role requires treatment and equipment used explicitly for pediatric patients.
The duties of a pediatric nurse are similar to nursing for adults, including:
Obtaining vital signs and overall assessment of the patient;
Collect urine, blood, and stool samples;
Administer medications— oral or intravenous (IV);
Comfort patient and family during procedures;
Educate patient and family on diagnosis and disease.
What is a Certified Nursing Assistant?
A Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) is a nurse that has been certified through a state-approved program to provide direct patient care under the supervision of a registered nurse (RN). CNAs are sometimes called nursing aides or nursing assistants. To work as a CNA, the only educational requirement is to have a high school diploma or a GED.
General tasks of a CNA include:
Assist patients with ADL (activities of daily living) such as eating, bathing, and walking;
Provide comfort and companionship;
Obtain vital signs;
Document and update patient records;
Administer medications.
A CNA's duties and tasks will vary by state due to regulations and facility training.
Salary and career outlook
Compared to an RN, a CNA does not have a lucrative salary. But a CNA also does not have the same training and responsibilities as a registered nurse (RN). Based on information from BLS, the annual median salary for a CNA was $30,850 in May 2020. The lowest ten percent earned $22,750 and the highest ten percent earned $42,110. Though the salary differs by state, Alaska was the highest paying state out of the top five, with a yearly average salary of $43,080.
Eight percent growth for CNA jobs from 2020 to 2030 reflects a stable field. The current workforce will age and retire, providing more CNAs the opportunity to meet the demand for home and community-based long-term care.
In May 2020, these were the top five industries certified nursing assistants worked in:
Government - annual median salary: $37,240
Hospitals, all sectors (state, local, private) - annual median salary: $32,160
Skilled Nursing Facilities - annual median salary: $30,120
Continuing Care, Retirement Communities, Elderly Assisted Living Facilities - annual median salary: $30,020
Home Healthcare Services - annual median salary: $29,210
CNA Career Paths
Certified nursing assistants work under the supervision of a registered nurse. In providing direct care as a CNA, relationships can develop between the patient, the family, and the CNA.
If you begin as a CNA but later decide to get a BSN degree to become a registered nurse, your clinical hours as a CNA acts as a stepping stone to more advanced nursing.
CNA in retirement homes
Retirement homes can have a negative impression on the minds of patients and families. However, a CNA has the chance to shift the perspective when providing primary care, comforting the patients, and acting as a companion. When families know that their loved ones are receiving great care, then the minds of the family members are at ease.
So, if you have a compassionate nature, working as a CNA in a retirement home can be a fulfilling career.
CNA in hospital
When working in a hospital, the department will determine the basic duties of a CNA. There are various departments within any hospital, and not all departments are the same. Tasks performed by a CNA in the hospital are:
Physically transfer a patient to another department;
Assist with ADL (activities of daily living);
Act as a sitter (sit with the patient to watch, monitor, and supervise);
Perform light housekeeping duties within a department like cleaning a room after patient discharge.
Being a CNA at a hospital can open doors for you as you can learn more on the job about your profession, then use that expertise to earn a degree and move up the nursing ladder.
In-home CNA
A CNA providing home health services gives basic care to patients in the comfort of the patient's home. As an in-home CNA, you allow the patient to receive quality care in an environment where they feel comfortable.
CNAs providing this service still work under the supervision of an RN, but there is no physical supervision at each home visit.
Final Thoughts
CNA vs. RN? Which one should you choose? Well, that depends on your goals. There are distinct differences between RNs and CNAs. A CNA doesn't require advanced education or training. But, as a CNA, you will earn less than an RN. On the other hand, an RN requires an AND or BSN degree, which takes a few years to complete. However, as an RN, you open your nursing career doors to work in various settings and positions.
Both have benefits and drawbacks, and it is up to your goals which one you will choose. So, before making any decisions, ask yourself, "Where do I see myself fit in: CNA vs. RN?