Can an LPN get a job as a CNA?

Nurses General Nursing

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I am an LPN who wants a full time job in Florida so I can get medical coverage. I saw a site that had state jobs listed. Only one for LPN's and it was only for part-time. However, the state jobs listed for CNA's were for full time. Would I have to take a CNA class and get a CNA license in order to get a job as a CNA? Or could I use my LPN license? Any info would be appreciated. Thanks:D

Specializes in LTC Family Practice.

If you do go to work as a CNA be sure your scope of practice is well defined and do not go outside of it even if you have the skills as an LPN - you could loose your LPN license for that.

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After I got my LPN license, I worked some shifts as a CNA at my job. Of course, I'm also currently certified as a CNA, and both expire in two years. (I'm in NJ.) I would be shocked if someone's nursing license would become null and void if they took a CNA class, so I'm curious as to what the Florida BON has to say about that, Blackcat99. Can you update us tomorrow? :)

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Thanks all. I just got home so will have to call the state board on Monday. I will let you all know what they say.

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Specializes in Management, Emergency, Psych, Med Surg.

As long as you carry that LPN license you will be held to the standards of being an LPN. If you want to work as a CNA you should surrender your LPN license and depending on the state you live in, then get a CNA license. I would never surrender my license under any circumstances.

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Thanks. I had just thought of being a CNA temporarily until I could find an LPN job. But that was a few weeks ago. This past Sunday:yeah: they did have LPN job openings in the Sunday paper so I'm thinking I won't need to get a CNA license after all. I was suppose to call the LPN state board on Monday but I forgot. I am going to call after the holidays because I do want to find out Florida's rules on this in case this problem comes up again. After I get back from my trip to India I can start job hunting.

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As a nurse manager I am uncomfortable hiring an LPN that wants to work as a CNA. Why would anyone want to do that? Why are they having trouble finding a job as a LPN? Will they be able to only do their CNA job without overstepping the boundaries?

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Specializes in trauma, critical care.
As long as you carry that LPN license you will be held to the standards of being an LPN. If you want to work as a CNA you should surrender your LPN license and depending on the state you live in, then get a CNA license. I would never surrender my license under any circumstances.

I want to reiterate this information. If you hold a current LPN license, you can work as a CNA, but you are responsible to your highest level of licensure. This is true everywhere, and, as you can imagine, it has very serious implications. Also, no facility can wave your responsibility. So, if your someone tells you not to worry because you were hired as a CNA, they are wrong. Even if you were hired as a CNA, you can be legally held to the standard of an LPN. Be very careful of this legally tricky area.

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Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.
As long as you carry that LPN license you will be held to the standards of being an LPN. If you want to work as a CNA you should surrender your LPN license and depending on the state you live in, then get a CNA license. I would never surrender my license under any circumstances.

As a nurse manager I am uncomfortable hiring an LPN that wants to work as a CNA. Why would anyone want to do that? Why are they having trouble finding a job as a LPN? Will they be able to only do their CNA job without overstepping the boundaries?

My thoughts for both of these comments is that it could be that in this economy, the LPN that wishes to work as a CNA may only be doing so because she/he is having difficulty finding a position that they are currently licensed for...the bottom line may be that a person has bills, probably has a family and ultimately needs to work SOMEWHERE in order to sustain themselves. Of course, as a manager, I would probably also wonder why a person would want to work for lower than their current achievements, but my thoughts would probably be altered based on the current state of affairs. In addition, new grads on all levels seem to have difficulty obtaining a position anywhere. I think that these LPNs may be thinking of at least working in the field in some capacity in order to gain first hand knowledge of a nursing position. And, if that doesn't happen, I can see anyone then deciding to work anywhere, even in retail, a restaurant or anywhere else in order to earn a living.

And, surrendering previous certifications may not be an option. If a facility IS willing to hire an LPN as a CNA, but requires current certifications, this would leave that LPN out of options altogether. I am not questioning or challenging your opinions, I am just trying to see it from the perspective of a person who is desperately seeking employment and benefits to care for themselves and family. I suppose that the best answer would be to see if it is a requirement in that particular area for an LPN to HAVE TO surrender her nursing license in order to work as a CNA, and most probably would not after they have, in fact earned it. The issue seems to be that these nurses are unable to obtain a position as a nurse.

I sincerely wish those who are having difficulties getting a nursing job the best of luck and hope that circumstances can open doors sooner than later.

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Specializes in trauma, critical care.
My thoughts for both of these comments is that it could be that in this economy, the LPN that wishes to work as a CNA may only be doing so because she/he is having difficulty finding a position that they are currently licensed for...the bottom line may be that a person has bills, probably has a family and ultimately needs to work SOMEWHERE in order to sustain themselves. Of course, as a manager, I would probably also wonder why a person would want to work for lower than their current achievements, but my thoughts would probably be altered based on the current state of affairs. In addition, new grads on all levels seem to have difficulty obtaining a position anywhere. I think that these LPNs may be thinking of at least working in the field in some capacity in order to gain first hand knowledge of a nursing position. And, if that doesn't happen, I can see anyone then deciding to work anywhere, even in retail, a restaurant or anywhere else in order to earn a living.

And, surrendering previous certifications may not be an option. If a facility IS willing to hire an LPN as a CNA, but requires current certifications, this would leave that LPN out of options altogether. I am not questioning or challenging your opinions, I am just trying to see it from the perspective of a person who is desperately seeking employment and benefits to care for themselves and family. I suppose that the best answer would be to see if it is a requirement in that particular area for an LPN to HAVE TO surrender her nursing license in order to work as a CNA, and most probably would not after they have, in fact earned it. The issue seems to be that these nurses are unable to obtain a position as a nurse.

I sincerely wish those who are having difficulties getting a nursing job the best of luck and hope that circumstances can open doors sooner than later.

I understand that people have to work to live, and I'm not saying an LPN cannot work as a CNA -- they can. Also, a manager can hire an LPN to work as a CNA -- that's fine. Likely, nothing will happen and everything will work out for both parties. Just go into the situation with your eyes open. Understand that if something goes wrong, the LPN working as a CNA will be legally held to the standard of an LPN.

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Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.
I understand that people have to work to live, and I'm not saying an LPN cannot work as a CNA -- they can. Also, a manager can hire an LPN to work as a CNA -- that's fine. Likely, nothing will happen and everything will work out for both parties. Just go into the situation with your eyes open. Understand that if something goes wrong, the LPN working as a CNA will be legally held to the standard of an LPN.

That is understandable...she has higher learning and therefore, is responsible for all outcomes because the LPN is licensed versus the CNA is not. What disturbs me is that I am hearing on these forums that some facilities (some VAs, for example) are utilizing their LPNs to function as CNAs. If this is true, then, to me, that is a waste of knowledge and skills to allow someone to work this way on a daily basis. Of course, these are ALL nursing functions, but an LPN can do so much more and should be allowed to do so.

I also think that this fact should be emphasized while in nursing school. And, also, for those areas that limit the LPNs to working on LTC, etc rather than hospitals should enlighten them to that fact as well, but then, the schools would not be able to recruit and take everyone's money while allowing them to think that they have just as much of a chance working on a hospital med-surg unit as an RN.

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Specializes in being a Credible Source.
As a nurse manager I am uncomfortable hiring an LPN that wants to work as a CNA. Why would anyone want to do that? Why are they having trouble finding a job as a LPN?
Why are they having trouble finding work as a nurse? Because the job market is horrible for new grads and many or most remain unemployed after graduation.
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Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.

Yes! Most people aim for what they were trained for or their area of expertise. If that is not available, it doesn't take much of a reminder that something is better than nothing and will take anything to take care of their families.

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