Key Points
- CNAs give hands-on daily care and report to nurses; RNs assess patients, give medications and treatments, and plan care.
- CNA training meets a federal minimum of 75 hours, including 16 hours of supervised practical training; RN programs take about 2 to 4 years.
- CNAs pass a state competency exam, while RNs pass the NCLEX-RN and hold a state license.
- CNAs earned a median $42,260 and RNs $97,550 in May 2025, according to BLS.
- RN jobs are projected to grow 6% and CNA jobs 3% from 2025 to 2035.
CNA vs RN at a Glance
Pay, growth, and work-setting figures come from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The CNA training minimum comes from federal nurse aide training rules.
What Is a CNA and What Is a Registered Nurse?
Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)
A Certified Nursing Assistant, often referred to as a CNA, is a healthcare professional who provides basic care to patients under the supervision of an RN or other medical staff. CNAs typically work in nursing homes, hospitals, and other long-term care facilities. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, nursing assistant duties include:
- Cleaning and bathing patients
- Helping patients use the toilet and dress
- Turning, repositioning, and transferring patients
- Measuring vital signs, such as blood pressure and temperature
- Serving meals and helping patients eat
- Recording patients' health concerns and reporting them to nurses
For a closer look at a typical shift, see what a CNA does.
Registered Nurse (RN)
A Registered Nurse is a licensed healthcare professional who has completed a nursing program and passed a national licensing examination. RNs can work in a variety of healthcare settings, including hospitals, clinics, doctor's offices, and home healthcare. BLS lists these RN duties:
- Assessing patients' conditions
- Recording patients' medical histories and symptoms
- Administering medicines and treatments
- Setting up plans for patients' care or contributing to existing plans
- Consulting and collaborating with doctors and other healthcare professionals
- Helping perform diagnostic tests and analyzing the results
- Teaching patients and their families how to manage illnesses or injuries
RNs may also specialize in specific areas of healthcare, such as pediatrics, oncology, or critical care.
Key Differences Between a CNA and an RN
- Scope of Practice: CNAs provide basic care and support to patients, focusing on activities of daily living. RNs have a broader scope of practice and are responsible for coordinating and managing patient care.
- Supervision: CNAs work under licensed nurses. RNs set up care plans, and some oversee LPNs, nursing assistants, and aides.
- Education and Training: CNAs typically complete a state-approved nursing assistant program, which can be completed in a matter of weeks and must meet a federal minimum of 75 hours, including 16 hours of supervised practical training. RNs must complete a nursing program, which can take anywhere from two to four years, depending on the path (diploma, associate's degree, or bachelor's degree) pursued.
- Responsibilities: CNAs assist with basic care tasks, such as bathing, feeding, and mobility. RNs have a wider range of responsibilities, including administering medications, helping perform diagnostic tests, and developing care plans.
- Opportunities for Advancement: While CNAs can gain experience and advance their careers by pursuing additional certifications or specialized training, RNs have more opportunities for career advancement, such as becoming a nurse manager, nurse educator, or advanced practice nurse. For other paths beyond CNA, see what comes after CNA.
CNA vs Registered Nurse: Education and Training
CNA Education and Training
To become a CNA, you must complete a state-approved nursing assistant program. These programs are typically offered at community colleges, vocational schools, and healthcare facilities. The training covers core nursing skills, such as taking vital signs, assisting with personal care, and infection control. After completing the program, you must pass a competency exam to become certified.
Federal nurse aide training rules require no less than 75 clock hours, including at least 16 hours of supervised practical training under a registered nurse or licensed practical nurse. States can require more. To compare program lengths, see how long CNA training takes.
Registered Nurse Education and Training
To become a Registered Nurse, you must complete a nursing program approved by your state's board of nursing. There are three main paths to becoming an RN:
- Diploma in Nursing: This program is typically offered by hospitals and takes about two to three years to complete. However, this option is less common nowadays.
- Associate's Degree in Nursing (ADN): This program is offered by community colleges. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that ADN and ASN degrees typically take 4 years to complete, though program lengths vary. ADN programs provide the basic knowledge and skills needed to become an RN.
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN): This program is offered by colleges and universities and takes about four years to complete. BSN programs provide a broader education, including coursework in nursing theory, research, and leadership.
After completing a nursing program, you must pass the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) to become licensed. Registering for the exam costs $200, rising to $350 on Feb. 1, 2027, according to the NCLEX fee schedule. For the full sequence from school to license, see how to become a registered nurse.
CNA vs RN Pay and Job Outlook
According to May 2025 Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics for nursing assistants, CNAs earned a median annual wage of $42,260, or $20.32 an hour. The Bureau of Labor Statistics profile for registered nurses puts the RN median at $97,550, or $46.90 an hour.
BLS projects employment of nursing assistants to grow 3% and RNs 6% from 2025 to 2035, with about 196,200 openings a year for nursing assistants and about 180,800 for RNs. The nursing assistant figures exclude orderlies, whom BLS reports alongside CNAs on its combined occupation page. For more on CNA earnings, see CNA salary.
CNA to RN: How to Make the Move
A CNA becomes an RN the same way anyone else does: by finishing an approved nursing program and passing the NCLEX-RN. There is no separate CNA-to-RN license. A program marketed as "CNA to RN" still has to end in an approved nursing degree or diploma, so ask each school whether your CNA certification or experience counts toward admission.
Two routes lead there:
- Straight to RN: complete an ADN or BSN, then take the NCLEX-RN.
- LPN first: complete a practical nursing program, which BLS says typically takes about 1 year, then an LPN-to-RN bridge program. For a side-by-side look at those two roles, see LPN vs RN.
Some CNAs keep working while they attend nursing school, which lets them keep earning and build patient care experience along the way.
CNA to RN Programs on Dreambound
Dreambound is a marketplace for comparing vocational training programs, and each listing shows the program's format, credential, and details supplied by the school. These RN programs are listed on Dreambound:
See all RN programs near you.
