Can an LPN become a CNA Instructor?
The idea surrounding LPN’s or LVN’s becoming CNA instructors is a constant topic of discussion. Unfortunately, there is not a solid answer to this question that is the same in all 50 states. This article will explain the Federal Law and state laws around this topic. Want to watch the video instead? Click HERE.
The Federal Government regulates all Nurse Aide Training programs in all 50 states. In 1987 theOBRA Act was implemented and it outlined many standards that each state must abide by in order to regulate the Nurse Aide Training. Each state has had the ability to make choices and interpret the law at their discretion based on choices provided in the law.
According to Federal law 42 C.F.R Subpart D- Requirements for State and State Agencies regarding Nurse Aide Training Programs, the terminology regarding Nurse Aide Instructors is ambiguous and has left many states interpreting the information at their own discretion. Under section 483.152 ( 5) there are written guidelines for instructors.
Part (i) states “The training of nurse aides must be performed by or under the general supervision of a registered nurse.” This insinuates that the registered nurse themselves may not be the one administering the teaching sessions.
Part (iii) then goes on to explain the types of healthcare professionals that can instruct and the LPN/LVN is clearly listed.
Also, under section 483.152 (3) there is specific mention of Licensed Practical Nurses supervising practical training of nurse aides.
In a review of all 50 states in the United States conducted by The CNA Instructor Consultants, it was revealed that 27 of the 50 states allow LPN/LVN to teach either the entire course, the clinical portion or the lab portion of the course. The other 23 states either have not addressed
the topic or specifically state that only RN’s can teach nurse aides, with one state only allowing BSN prepared nurses to teach and not a diploma or ADN prepared nurses.
Some states go on to add additional requirements of the LPN such as the need to have at least 1 year of experience in any type of nursing, 1 year of LTC experience only, 2 years of experience in nursing with one- year experience in training adults. To learn more about your state’s specific requirements, visit your states regulations here: https://thesecretcocktail.com/start-a-cna-school-state-requirements/
As of now these are the following states that allow LPN’s to teach under certain conditions:
- Pennsylvania
- South Dakota
- Oregon
- South Carolina
- Texas
- Tennessee
- Ohio
- Nevada
- Wisconsin
- Nebraska
- Washington
- Mississippi
- New York
- Virginia
- California
- Georgia
- Nebraska
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arkansas
- Connecticut
- Hawaii
- Kansas
- Indiana
- Louisiana
- Delaware
- Michigan
- Oklahoma
- Massachusetts
- Colorado
With the massive shortage of CNA’s and those needed to educate them, we are hopeful that each state we reconsider their position on allowing LPN’s to teach. The LPN degree is much more advanced than that of a CNA and LPN’s oversee and delegate the care provided by CNA’s in the LTC setting daily. With this considered the LPN should be able to provide quality education to CNA’s as well.
If you are interested in starting a healthcare training school in your state, we can help! From CNA Schools, Phlebotomy Schools and more we can help launch a training school. Please contact us at info@thesecrtecocktail.com to learn more about our services or click here.
Victoria Randle NP-C
Owner of The Secret Cocktail
https://thesecretcocktail.com
