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The demand for healthcare professionals is booming, and with the medical industry offering diverse opportunities, you have many career paths to choose from. Some individuals opt for rewarding long-term careers as certified nursing assistants (CNAs) or licensed practical nurses (LPNs), while others start their healthcare journeys in these roles and then pursue higher degrees and career advancement. No matter your path, deciding the best option for you can be difficult. To help you decide, we discuss key differences between LPN vs CNA roles, including required education, job outlook, salary and career goal considerations below.
Overview of LPN Role
As one of the fastest-growing healthcare careers in 2024, licensed practical nurses possess a vital role in the healthcare team and provide direct patient care. LPNs, called licensed vocational nurses in California and Texas, can work in various healthcare settings, such as hospitals, long-term care facilities and physician offices. Some typical LPN patient care duties include taking vital signs, changing wound dressings, performing tracheostomy care, inserting urinary catheters and monitoring the intake and output of bodily fluids. In some states, LPNs can perform patient assessments and administer medications under the direction and supervision of a registered nurse (RN).
Becoming an LPN requires several educational and licensure requirements. You must first graduate from an approved LPN program. Most LPN institutions provide flexibility to their students by offering various program options, such as full-time vs. part-time options and in-person vs. online LPN programs. Other schools offer accelerated LPN programs, allowing students to fast-track their healthcare careers and graduate in a shorter time frame compared to traditional LPN programs.
After graduation, students must pass the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN) and apply for state licensure. Once you’re approved and obtain your state LPN license, you can begin working as an LPN. Qualifying LPNs may apply for a multistate license instead of a single-state license if they live in states participating in the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC). The NLC allows nurses to practice in their home state and other states participating in the NLC without additional licensure. However, the licensed practical nurse’s scope of practice varies by state, so make sure you understand each practicing state’s rules and regulations.
Licensed practical nurses have a gratifying yet sometimes challenging career. LPNs can enjoy schedule flexibility, steady income, career advancement opportunities and a positive job outlook. However, this career choice does pose some drawbacks, such as working holidays, dealing with difficult situations and being physically demanding.
Overview of CNA Role
Becoming a certified nursing assistant is one of the quickest ways to enter the healthcare field and ranks 25th on Vivian’s 2024 list of fastest-growing healthcare careers. As integral healthcare team members, CNAs perform hands-on patient care duties under the direct supervision of an LPN or RN. Some CNA duties include taking vital signs, transferring or turning patients and assisting patients with activities of daily living (ADLs), such as toileting, dressing, bathing and offering feeding assistance. They can also perform additional non–patient care-related tasks, like stocking supplies and answering phone calls. Unlike LPNs, certified nursing assistants can’t perform invasive procedures or tasks, like inserting urinary catheters or administering medications.
Completing a CNA program is the first step to becoming a CNA, with many certification programs available through community colleges, hospitals and online courses. Following program completion, students must complete the required number of hands-on clinical training hours as mandated by their home state. Once students have completed their CNA requirements, they’re eligible to take the state CNA certification exam. Once passed, individuals apply for CNA certification through their state’s application process and pay the required fees.
Choosing a certified nursing assistant career has many pros, including short training times to certification. CNA programs typically last between 6 and 15 weeks, but you can complete an accelerated program in as little as 4 weeks. Another perk is the ability to work in various healthcare settings. However, CNAs face challenges similar to those of LPNs, with the role both physically and mentally demanding at times. Additionally, since the scope of duties is limited compared to LPNs, CNAs may not receive as many career advancement opportunities unless they obtain advanced certifications and licenses.
LPN vs. CNA: Key Differences
The primary responsibility of CNAs is to assist patients with ADLs and provide direct patient care, while LPNs have additional responsibilities on top of typical CNA duties. CNA vs LPN responsibilities often appear very similar, but we outlined some key differences in the table below.
| Duties | Certified Nursing Assistant | Licensed Practical Nurse |
| Assist with ADLs | Yes | Yes |
| Perform vital signs | Yes | Yes |
| Measure intake/output | Yes | Yes |
| Administer medications* | No | Yes |
| Perform assessments* | No | Yes |
| Insert urinary and intravenous catheters* | No | Yes |
| Supervised by | LPN or RN | RN |
*May differ depending on state scope of practice.
People Skills
Certified nursing assistants and licensed practical nurses must possess certain people skills to be successful in their careers, with several characteristics applying to both roles. Identical attributes include compassion, empathy, patience and communication skills. Each position also requires flexibility, adaptability and physical and mental endurance. Because the healthcare industry is ever-changing, both of these nursing professionals must commit to lifelong learning and become knowledgeable about new technological advances.
LPNs are tasked with being more observant and detail-oriented than CNAs since they must detect the slightest changes in a patient’s health status and assessment. LPNs also possess strong problem-solving skills as they may perform math calculations to administer medications or quickly react in emergencies.
Job Outlook
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predicts 5% job growth for LPNs between 2022 and 2032, while CNA career outlook is 4% for the same period. Based on data reported by the BLS in May 2022, the five states with the current highest employment of LPNs vs CNAs were the following.
| Certified Nursing Assistant | Licensed Practical Nurse |
| California: 99,930 | California: 73,740 |
| Florida: 89,110 | Texas: 62,240 |
| Texas: 81,170 | New York: 38,590 |
| New York: 80,100 | Ohio: 37,310 |
| Pennsylvania: 66,800 | Florida: 36,970 |
Salary Potential
The average salary of LPNs is typically higher than CNAs for staff and travel positions, likely due to their additional responsibilities. Per nationwide salary data on Vivian Health on December 12, 2023, the average staff LPN salary was $31.19 per hour, while staff CNA salaries averaged $25.47 per hour. Likewise, travel LPNs earned an average of $1,481 per week, while travel CNAs averaged $904 during the same period. However, overall earnings vary based on location, experience and specialty.
Benefits of Both Careers
Besides the differences in CNA vs LPN responsibilities and educational and state requirements mentioned above, you have several factors to consider when deciding between LPN and CNA career paths. We highlighted a few key factors below:
- Career Advancement Opportunities: LPNs have a higher likelihood of career advancement opportunities as they can manage CNAs and other LPNs. Additionally, many LPNs continue their education and eventually become RNs or advanced practice registered nurses.
- Career Goals: If you’re excited to start your healthcare career quickly, becoming a CNA is likely the best option. While becoming an LPN may seem like a better choice for those wanting to eventually step into an RN role, don’t let this constrict you. Many people become CNAs first, work as one while in LPN school and pursue becoming an RN later.
- Earning Potential: LPNs have a higher earning potential than CNAs due to their added responsibilities. LPNs can manage others, leaving room for increased earning potential.
- Financial Commitment: CNA programs are less expensive than LPN programs due to the graduation requirements and time commitment. Many CNA programs include the cost of certification, while LPN programs require additional costs after graduation, like the NCLEX-PN and state license fees.
- Job Outlook: According to the BLS data from May 2022, over 630,000 LPNs and more than 1.3 million CNAs are employed in the U.S. With the healthcare industry continuously growing, the job prospects are vast for both roles.
- Setting: Certified nursing assistants typically work in hospitals or long-term care facilities since they mainly assist with patient care duties. LPNs work in similar settings but can also practice in physician offices, outpatient centers and private homes.
- Time: CNA programs usually last anywhere from 4 to 12 weeks, while LPN programs range from about a year for accelerated programs to upwards of two years for traditional programs.
Job Opportunities
Because they can work in various healthcare settings, LPNs and CNAs have numerous job opportunities. Consider which setting and specialty most interests you when deciding which career path is right for you. Some popular staff LPN jobs are in the following specialties:
On December 12, 2023, Vivian had over 3,000 LPN travel opportunities posted, with common specialties including long-term, psychiatric and skilled nursing care. Vivian also had many CNA staff positions and travel CNA opportunities available, including numerous positions for the following:
Whether you decide to become a CNA or an LPN, you’ll find endless career opportunities. Use all the factors we provided above, along with your own research, to help you make an informed decision when determining which career path is best for you and your career goals.
Inspire your healthcare career choices with help from Vivian’s Guide to Career Paths & Earning Potential in Healthcare.
Have any personal experience you’d like to share about LPN vs CNA career paths? Please share your thoughts in the comments section below.
