Can you work as a CNA when you are licensed as an RN?

Editorial Team / Admin · Jan 23, 2015

I'm not sure about the particulars of New York about whether an RN can work as a CNA but there are a few things you will want to consider if it's permitted.

1. Are you willing to work for the lower pay?

2. Are you going to be able to stick to the job description so as not to find yourself in hot water with the employer?

3. Are you aware that regardless of the job title, you will be held to the standards of the highest license you hold (RN)? (Kind of goes against what the job description says you can do- rock, meet hard place- but value your license more than your job. Jobs are easier to replace than a license that's been put on probation or suspended.)

4. Employers may not be willing to hire you as a CNA because they know you'll leave them high and dry as soon as you find an RN job (many employers have had this happen and it makes them unwilling to hire a nurse as a CNA).

rmodi5 · Jan 23, 2015

Do you have any suggestions as to how I can get my door into a clinical setting just to gain experience period. Is it career suicide to temporarily pursue something within a medical setting but perhaps non-nursing related. Are there even jobs out there that fit this script?

SmartyRN · Jan 23, 2015

If you are living in NYC you may have a better chance at getting a job as a new RN. It may not be in a position that you want or the highest pay but you can get hired. You can try applying to different temporary agencies and nursing homes. apply for the schedules others don't want such as the 3-11pm or weekends and overnights. I cant leave names here but if you go to indeed.com, careerbuilder.com and monster.com you will get some opportunities. Don't give up. I have been there done that. I am now an RN but was also an LPN and in the same boat as you when I initially attained my LPN five years ago. I was blessed to get hired with no experience at two temp agencies in the city at that time. Before I got hired I became desperate and also wanted to do CNA work since the bills keep coming in. If you look for home care jobs or even private pay you get a chance too as many are willing to train a new nurse. RN's are in so much demand here in NYC for nursing homes that they will hire you.

rmodi5 · Jan 24, 2015

I apologize I think you misunderstood I graduated from a BSN program May 2014. I am 8 months out of school, in Brooklyn and not sure who would hire me. I have zero CNA or volunteer experience. It was tough to balance school as it was and I never realized how important it was to pursue these jobs so I could have applied as an internal applicant. Please help me. I am desperate.

estrellaCR, BSN, RN · Jan 24, 2015

Pursuing CNA job when you already have an RN licennse is not a good idea. Employers will not hire you as they know you will leave quickly once you get an RN position and it is also liability as you help responsible for actions based on your license even though you are hired as CNA. As a previous poster said, try temp agencies, volunteer, and apply to non-hospital jobs also to increase your chance of hire.

DoGoodThenGo · Jan 24, 2015

I live in NYC and wanted to know if you can work as a CNA if you are licensed as an RN. I have no experience as an RN or a CNA but figured I have to start somewhere and maybe its at the bottom?

Understand your pain but in general no, a healthcare setting will not hire a licensed RN to work below her/his license.

First issue of the bat is that legally a licensed RN will be held to that standard for liability purposes regardless of her/his role in a hospital or whatever. That is because of your education and clinical training you simply cannot pretend to be ignorant of things that a nursing assistant shouldn't or couldn't know. Remember all technicians and assistants work under the license of a RN for that reason. The nurse delegates various tasks to assistants based upon their job description/scope, but she/he is ultimately responsible to see things are carried out correctly and safely.

Two, as noted by others hospitals/healthcare settings just like any other employer are very leery of hiring persons willing to work below their educational level. They know you surely are only taking the position probably to earn money or some other personal reason and will be out the door soon as something that suits comes along.

Yes, things are tough out there for new grad RNs but you've just got to keep on keeping on. Try home health, LTC, nursing homes, ambulatory care facilities, etc... If all else fails you may have to consider what many others are doing, relocation either permanently or at least until you have about two solid years of experience.

PacoUSA, BSN, RN · Jan 24, 2015

You simply need to relocate if you want to get a job faster. The bigger the gap between now and graduation, the harder it will get to find that new grad job. You need to make some sacrifices in order to make things happen. Get the golden 1-2 years experience elsewhere, then come back to NYC and you will be more competitive.

rmodi5 · Jan 24, 2015

Where would I have to relocate in order to find a job? I mean the fact that I hold a dual license in both NJ and NY I would have thought would have landed by something by now. I am so upset if I could go back and do it all over I would have aggressively pursued a CNA job in a hospital. I am really at a loss because how am I supposed to relocate with no savings? I am 23? I would appreciate anyone who can identify the states, hospitals, that are sure to hire someone who has zero experience but is licensed as a BSN? I guess I can live in a motel at these hospitals that are more new grad friendly until I save some money. I am willing to do anything, I've got nothing to lose since i have no kids, homes, or other responsibilities. I'd rather pay my dues I just dont know where these jobs are?

PacoUSA, BSN, RN · Jan 24, 2015

Since you're licensed in NY already, try upstate hospitals. I have heard new grads have better luck there. Stony Brook on Long Island as well.

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natnat122 · Feb 20, 2015

If something goes wrong with the patient I think you will be sued to your highest level of education regadless of if you're working as a CNA or not so keep that in mind.