Can I work as CNA with RN degree?

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Can someone tell me can I work as CNA with RN degree? New grad, have my IP. Can't find a job, need money. Am I allowed to work as CNA?

Specializes in LTC.

You are a RN and you deserve to work as a RN. Relocate, continue to search for jobs, but what ever you do don't cut yourself short. Be patient. You will find a job !

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Specializes in Med Surg, LTC, Home Health.
Even though the OP is licensed as an RN? I didn't think that can be done. Unless, maybe she challenged NCLEX-PN as well?

Well i just meant get a job that is offered to LPN's. If they want an LPN, then they would surely take an RN if they were willing to take the lower wage.:)

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Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.
Well i just meant get a job that is offered to LPN's. If they want an LPN, then they would surely take an RN if they were willing to take the lower wage.:)

You are correct about that...they would love to pay an RN peanut money!:down:

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Well i just meant get a job that is offered to LPN's. If they want an LPN, then they would surely take an RN if they were willing to take the lower wage.:)

Not all will. I was in the situation of wanting to work at a particular facility but the RN role included charge and supervision of the med nurses. Given my lack of experience, I didn't want that responsibility starting out and inquired about starting out as a med nurse - which was designated for LPNs - accepting the going pay rate for the position. They wouldn't hire me, according to them, because the job description required an LPN license not an RN license.

On the other hand, when my class graduated there weren't a lot of new grad openings and several classmates worked as nursing assistants - at nursing assistant pay - until an RN position opened up.

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I currently work as a CNA and will be graduating in May with my RN. Does anyone know if my current job can force me to work as a CNA if no RN positions are available. I have recieved tuition reimbursment and techincally i am suppose to work for the company for 6 months after graduation with my degree... in a RN position, although they are on a hiring freeze and wont hire. It is very frustrating.

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Specializes in psych. rehab nursing, float pool.

I believe when any facility has an fte position for a particular title that is what is required. I know in our facility an LPN who graduated and passed to get her RN waited until an RN fte position was available.

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I have tried to get CNA position, since I couldn't find a job as RN new grad. i have contacted several hospitals and been told, that I can't be hired as CNA, because I have RN degree, and they want me to work at my highest potential. Unfortunately, there are no new grad RN positions available, so it goes on in a circle.

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Specializes in LTC.

I recently passed NCLEX and I am an RN but I am working as a CNA at the facility I have wored at as a CNA while I was in nursing school. I will be working as a CNA for another week and then I will start training as an RN. It's kind of hard because I'm not sure what my role is. I feel like I can/should be working more like a nurse and less like a CNA, but I don't want to take on RN responsiblity when I am only earning CNA wages and haven't officially been trained as an RN. So I am just doing what is within my CNA scope of practice but being sure to do an excellent job (not that I didn't before, but now I am even more careful to make sure that I am following the care plan exactly, using transfer belt for every transfer, etc.)

I don't know if a place would hire you as a new employee to work as a CNA when you are an RN. The only reason I am doing it is that I accepted an RN position with my current employer and I am waiting for the next nursing orientation to come up so I can start my RN training.

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