The field of healthcare is rapidly evolving. So, if you’re 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).

With approximately 16,900 LPN job openings projected over the coming decade, now is the prime time to explore this question. Let’s unpack it further below.

What is a CNA?

A Certified Nursing Assistant 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. 

As a CNA, you can find work in hospitals, assisted living facilities, and home healthcare agencies—it’s 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.

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.

How do I become a CNA?

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.

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.

What is an LPN?

Licensed Practical Nurses 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’s responsibilities include measuring patient vital signs, administering medications, updating patient records, and providing basic patient care in a wide range of healthcare settings. 

LPNs work across healthcare, in hospitals, nursing homes, physician’s offices, and home healthcare agencies, to name a few, offering compassion and understanding to patients in need.

How do I become an LPN?

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

LPN programs involve more in-depth studies of medical practices, patient care techniques, and pharmacology than CNA programs do. Coursework in an LPN program can include topics like:

• Clinical Nursing
• Maternal and Pediatric Nursing
• Mental Health Nursing
• Pharmacology

Some LPN programs only take about a year to finish, making it a quicker route into professional nursing compared to the RN path, which can take several years. Aspiring LPNs also have the choice to continue their education and pursue additional certifications or even take part in bridge programs to become Registered Nurses. 

If you’re worried about finances, don’t lose hope yet. There are tons of financial aid options available for those pursuing an LPN program. Many schools offer resources that help students cover tuition costs. Plus, scholarships, Pell Grants, and student loans are all valuable financial aid resources to help students in need. Furthermore, if you’re already working as a CNA, some employers may also offer tuition reimbursement programs for employees looking to advance their nursing careers. 

Start your nursing journey at Goodwin.

The relationship between CNAs and LPNs

So, the hovering question remains: Do you have to be a CNA before becoming an LPN? In short, no. It’s an understandable and common misconception that you must be a nursing aide or CNA before becoming an LPN. While it’s certainly an option, as some individuals choose to start as CNAs and gain experience before advancing their nursing careers, it is not a prerequisite for becoming an LPN. Yet, those who start as CNAs often find transitioning into an LPN role easier because of their prior experience with patient care.

Although CNAs and LPNs work closely together and often in the same environments, there are key differences in their positions. LPNs have a longer training period, more medical responsibilities, a broader scope of practice, and therefore a bit more autonomy than CNAs. 

While both roles are commonly found in nursing homes, residential care facilities, and in-home healthcare agencies, LPNs are more likely to work in physicians’ offices. CNAs, on the other hand, are more frequently employed by government agencies.

How to become an LPN from CNA

If you are currently a CNA and want to pursue an LPN license, there are various pathways available to help you transition. Many schools offer CNA-to-LPN bridge programs designed to build upon the knowledge and skills you have already gained as a CNA. These programs can shorten the time needed to become an LPN. 

It is important to note that direct-entry LPN programs are also available for individuals who have not worked as CNAs. The transition from CNA to LPN can be a rewarding step for those looking to expand their career opportunities in the healthcare field.

Your career as a licensed nurse

Both CNAs and LPNs are essential healthcare professionals. They provide vital patient care and support medical teams to ensure positive health outcomes. Whether you choose to become a CNA or LPN or advance further in the nursing field, each role offers valuable experience and a handful of opportunities for growth.

Learning how to become an LPN from CNA can be stressful yet rewarding. CNAs often find their work to be a stepping stone into more advanced nursing roles, while LPNs can continue their education to become RNs or specialize in different areas of healthcare. No matter which path you choose, a career in nursing provides a fulfilling opportunity to make a positive impact on patients’ lives every day.

Learn more about nursing programs at Goodwin University to see if becoming an LPN is the right career move for you.