Can I work as a CNA even if I am an RN?

[Nurse Beth, MSN]

Greetings Nurse Beth!

Can I work as a nurse assistant in one facility while working as a RN in another?

I was recently blessed to be offered a per-diem position in a SNF facility as a new grad...however I am currently working as a nurse assistant at a group home that I have been with for a while now. I am excited to start working as a RN but slightly reluctant to let go of the other job as it will help financially wise for my family (adding the two incomes). I tried to research my state's BON to see if there is a policy stating that I can't work at two different positions simultaneously but can't locate a concrete answer. Please offer your expertise in this matter if possible, thanks!

---

Dear Can I Work as a CNA,

While you are eligible to work as a CNA, the problem is that you have higher training. You are held to the standard of the highest nursing credential you hold. So it could be a problem if you are an RN working as a CNA and a patient problem presents.

For example, say that you are in your patient's room and you observe the patient's IV site swelling and leaking from a vesicant infusion, or you believe your patient is experiencing a blood transfusion reaction. As a nurse, you would immediately turn the IV pump off in either situation (practicing to the standard of your highest credential). But as a CNA, it is outside of your scope of practice to operate an IV infusion pump, even though you are concerned about the delay while going to find an RN. This poses a problem for you.

You will find it very difficult to take your RN hat off and on depending on which job you are working today.

Some hospitals do not hire RNs to work as CNAs because of this reason. But many do, because the hospital really does nothing unlawful by hiring an RN to work as a CNA- the liability rests more on the license of the RN who is choosing to work as a CNA.

Working as a CNA when you are an RN should be short-term if at all. It's hard to let go of groups and situations in life but at times what is best is to break from the past in order to move forward.

Best wishes RN :),

Nurse Beth