CNA vs. RN: Roles, Education, Scope & Salary Comparison

Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) vs. Registered Nurse (RN)

CNA

Role: Provides basic patient care under RN/LPN supervision in hospitals, nursing homes, and home care.

Typical Tasks: Bathing, dressing, feeding, vital signs, mobility assistance, toileting, specimen collection.

Education: State-approved program (4–12 weeks); high school diploma/GED required.

Licensure: State competency exam; registry listing (not a license in all states).

Scope: Limited to delegated tasks; cannot assess, diagnose, or administer IV medications.

RN

Role: Delivers comprehensive nursing care, coordinates care plans, and supervises support staff.

Typical Tasks: Assessment, IV insertion, medication administration, care planning, patient education, delegation, critical thinking.

Education: ADN (2 years) or BSN (4 years) from accredited program.

Licensure: NCLEX-RN required in all states.

Scope: Broad, autonomous practice within nursing scope; supervises CNAs/LPNs.

Key Differences at a Glance

Feature	CNA	RN
Education	Weeks–months (certificate)	2–4 years (ADN/BSN)
Licensure	State competency exam/registry	NCLEX-RN (all states)
Scope	Basic care tasks	Comprehensive care, assessment, IVs, planning
Supervision	Supervised by RN/LPN	Supervises CNAs, LPNs, UAPs
Salary (US median)	~$35,000/yr	~$81,000/yr

Both roles are essential; many CNAs advance to RN through bridge programs.