RN working as a CNA

U.S.A. New York

Published

I'm a new grad. The advice I keep getting is to get a CNA certificate so I can get a job in the hospital since it's hard to get a RN job in NYC with an ASN. Anyone did this?

ga_super

31 Posts

That's the dumbest idea I've ever heard. You're held responsible to your highest license, so if anything were to go wrong with the patient you will be held responsible as an RN even though you're employed as a cna. Also no hospital will hire you as a cna because of what I just said.

PinkEagle

267 Posts

I'm not sure how it works in NY but in MD once you take and pass your NCLEX you are no longer allowed to work or apply as a CNA, so don't bother! Just start networking like your life depends on it and apply! My Hopkins coworker went to several job fairs in NY before she was eventually offered a job at Hopkins. So don't sell yourself short!! You're worked to hard for that!!

caroline88

29 Posts

Its a conflict of interest. You won't be able to work as a CNA if you already have your RN license.

caliotter3

38,333 Posts

My state took away CNA certificates from licensed nurses. Nurses who want to work in CNA positions must present their nursing license in order to get hired.

TheFreckledRN

10 Posts

I have never done that, but would not recommend it. You're an RN work as one. I have my ASN it took me about 40 days to find my job. Look into long-term care facilities. How many jobs have you applied to and how long you've been looking?

akanini, MSN, RN

1,525 Posts

I suggest applying to every nursing home in your area. Someone will hire you and although you may not like it, you need your experience. Working as a CNA is not and should NOT be an option at this time.

DoGoodThenGo

4,129 Posts

I'm a new grad. The advice I keep getting is to get a CNA certificate so I can get a job in the hospital since it's hard to get a RN job in NYC with an ASN. Anyone did this?

You are a licensed professional nurse, and will be held to that standard legally if anything went down. Thus you can see why working as nursing assistant certified or not, is off the table.

Even if you were to find someplace that did allow you to work as a nursing assistant that job would hardly qualify as RN "experience". So what would be the end game? What or how would you explain such a position going forward as you interview for future RN positions?

karmax1

57 Posts

Come to Alabama!

I came to Alabama a year ago and I applied to 9 different hospitals. After 5 interviews and I got 5 jobs offered. The other 4 hospitals that tried to interview me got no chances to see me in person. LOL.

It took me 2 weeks to get my R.N. license from Alabama. It was relatively quick and inexpensive.

Pay is low than NY! But if RN experience is what you are looking for, please come to Alabama!

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