asy RN working as a LPN/CNA?

[mzjennx, BSN, RN]

i heard a lot of people cant friend RN jobs so they are taking jobs as a LPN or CNA.

should i look into applying as a CNA or a LPN while i wait for a new grad or RN oppertunity? How does it work if you have an RN license, will employers allow you to take the pay cut even though your qualified for better? will the experience as a lpn help to find other RN jobs in the future?

[mzlily83]

I am an LPN and graduated with my RN BSN in December and still can't find someone to hire me. I have applied for several LPN jobs but haven't gotten any call backs either. I don't know if its just the speed of the human resources dept or if they are just not interested in me. Let me know how it goes for you.

[caliotter3]

Not all employers will hire someone under these circumstances. You would just have to inquire before applying and/or apply listing your RN license in the application and see what happens. I've known people who were RNs and worked as CNAs. It can be done if you are persistent in looking for a job. Good luck.

[WindwardOahuRN, RN]

If you do take such a position be very careful regarding the legalities of your responsibilities. It can be a sticky situation where you cannot overstep the bounds of your job description as a CNA or LPN but because you are also licensed as an RN you are expected to have more advanced knowledge and respond accordingly (recognizing worsening conditions, etc). This is a function of your RN license, not the job description.

Because you are only covered, legally, as a CNA/LPN on the job site your actual duties should be confined to those job descriptions. Beware the employer who thinks they are getting a "cheap" RN and pushes duties on you that are not within the CNA or LPN job description. Yes, you might know how to do the task but legally you are not covered if something goes wrong.

It could get messy....

[mzjennx, BSN, RN]

its so hard to find a job right now. i got my RN 2 weeks ago, but im been trying to get an aide job since january. i also graduated in December. most of my friends are working as aides right now too while waiting for a new grad program. i hate to wait and be unemployed =(

[BigIsleBound]

Are all of you nurses trying to work on Oahu? Because I see hospital jobs for RNs on neighbor islands.

[WindwardOahuRN, RN]

Are all of you nurses trying to work on Oahu? Because I see hospital jobs for RNs on neighbor islands.

Where do you see these hospital jobs for RN'S? A quick check of neighbor island hospital websites shows virtually nothing---a few per diem or temporary positions with a very small number of full-time positions. Most of those positions are for experienced nurses in specialty areas or advanced practice nurses.

Less than a year ago there were layoffs on the Big Island and Oahu.

Most of the hospital nursing opportunities are on Oahu by default because most of the hospitals are on Oahu.

You'll always see ads from nursing agencies. They'll gladly add you to their registry even if they can't offer you a job; it's the same thing with travel nurse companies. And many hospitals run ads every Sunday, as they have for years, but now direct you to their website to search for job opportunities. Some will take your applications and add them to the pile but many now accept only online applications for actual openings.

I'm just curious about your post because it's not what I see or hear but maybe I'm missing something. Are you located in the Islands?

[BigIsleBound]

The Hawaii Health Systems Corp website has listings, albeit not tons of them, for Registered Professional Nurses, on neighbor islands. While some of them are part time or per diem, I would think that they would be preferrable to working as a CNA. I know I would be more willing to take a part time nursing job first, at least that way you can show your stuff so to speak. Once you have your foot in the door as an RN, you may be able to move to full time more easily than starting out as a CNA. I am currently on the mainland, but I used to go to HPU on Oahu. I plan on returning to the islands, preferrably the Big Island, once I finish my BSN.

[mzjennx, BSN, RN]

Yes I am looking for a job on Oahu. My husband is military and we are only station in Oahu for another year more. Hate to leave to another or island or state unless of course I get desperate. I know they are hiring on the other islands. This recruiter at the KCC job fair told me that they were hiring at Maui and other places...

[WindwardOahuRN, RN]

Yes I am looking for a job on Oahu. My husband is military and we are only station in Oahu for another year more. Hate to leave to another or island or state unless of course I get desperate. I know they are hiring on the other islands. This recruiter at the KCC job fair told me that they were hiring at Maui and other places...

That's good to hear. I'll pass that info on to the nursing students I come in contact with who think their only options are jobs on the mainland---their instructors, too, who have voiced the same opinion. I also know recent grads who insist that they've looked everywhere in the State and found nothing but dead ends.

Still have to wonder why they are saying what they're saying. They're on the front lines and seem to be really discouraged.

Good luck to all in the hunt for positions. Hope it opens up soon. It will, eventually, I'm sure.

[vipheathr]

I recently moved to Maui in the end of January and passed NCLEX in February. Since then I have been relentlessly looking for a job as an RN to no avail. I have been contemplating applying for LPN positions but didn't know if it was doable. With the economy being so bad I have talked to friends back in Southern California who are having some of the same issues: everyone wants experienced nurses! Anyone know if all this difficulty in Hawaii finding a job for a new grad is just because of the economy or is it the norm?

[BigIsleBound]

I recently moved to Maui in the end of January and passed NCLEX in February. Since then I have been relentlessly looking for a job as an RN to no avail. I have been contemplating applying for LPN positions but didn't know if it was doable. With the economy being so bad I have talked to friends back in Southern California who are having some of the same issues: everyone wants experienced nurses! Anyone know if all this difficulty in Hawaii finding a job for a new grad is just because of the economy or is it the norm?

I'm sorry you are having such a hard time getting hired! Which hospitals have you applied to? Maui Memorial has ads up for RN's, so does Kula. But I guess the ads are being deceptive if they arent' actually hiring.