Can a licensed RN work as an LPN or CNA if she never obtained those licenses?

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Hello!

I was told when I was in school that I could not work below the level of RN once I obtained my license. While I would prefer to find my dream job right now, I realize that I still have dues to pay because I did not work in my field at either the CNA or LPN level first. I feel very inexperienced and lack confidence. I would be willing to take a job below the level of RN for some time to improve my self esteem and skill foundation.

Has anyone ever worked below their license level? Advice?

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I would like to add:

In another post I saw a suggestion for working as a patient aide or siter. Could someone give me some information about how and where to apply for these types of positions?

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Specializes in Pedi.

Whether or not you CAN depends on the state and the facility. In some places, you cannot work as an LPN without an LPN license but you can apply for jobs advertised for LPNs as an RN. I would caution you against doing so though as you will be held to the standards of an RN regardless of your position and if your job description is that of an LPN it can create a difficult situation.

Same issues apply with working as a CNA. There is no CNA "license" and many places hire people off the streets into CNA positions (I am 100% certain that most of the aides I worked with in the hospital were not actually "certified" as such). I do not know of anywhere that would hire RNs into these positions though because they still need to train you as a CNA and they know that it won't be worth the investment and that you'll be gone the minute an RN position comes up.

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one state in the union does license their aides, New hampshire.

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Specializes in critical care.

I just paid $1200 to get licensed as a CNA. CNAs are licensed. Hence the word "certified".

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I just paid $1200 to get licensed as a CNA. CNAs are licensed. Hence the word "certified".
certified does not equal licensed. if you are a CNA then you are a Certified Nursing Assistant. If you are in NH, you are an LNA, a Licensed Nursing Assistant.
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Specializes in critical care.
certified does not equal licensed. if you are a CNA then you are a Certified Nursing Assistant. If you are in NH, you are an LNA, a Licensed Nursing Assistant.

I'm going to respectfully disagree. The word of importance here is "certified". There are nurse's aids who are simply nurse's aids, but to use the word certified means you have obtained the proper mandated training by your state to become certified.

http://www.certifiednursingassistant.org/state-by-state-guide-to-becoming-a-certified-nursing-assistant/

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Specializes in Pedi.
I'm going to respectfully disagree. The word of importance here is "certified". There are nurse's aids who are simply nurse's aids, but to use the word certified means you have obtained the proper mandated training by your state to become certified.

State-by-State Guide to Becoming a Certified Nursing Assistant | CertifiedNursingAssistant.org

It's still not the same as having a license. Morte is correct the New Hampshire licenses their nurses' aides but the other states do not. In 49 states, one does not receive a "license" to practice as a CNA. I have a license through the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. I must renew this license every 2 years and completed the required CEUs or I cannot practice as an RN. If you click on the very link you posted and then click on Massachusetts, it will redirect you to the " Massachusetts Division of Health Professions

License Verification Site"... there is nowhere to search for a CNA "license" there. Why? Because CNAs are not licensed.

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Specializes in critical care.

I am in Maryland. I am awaiting my license now, and am considered as having my "90 day letter", which is basically a provisional license until the state issues me a license number.

Visit http://www.mbon.org, and you can see it for yourself. Look on the left menu list, click on look up licensee. I just randomly searched the name Michelle Smith (not my name-just a random name to search) you will see all of the Michelle Smiths along with their license numbers.

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Specializes in critical care.

And I, too, would need to renew this every two years, but in two years I'll be finished with my BSN, so I'll be skipping the CNA renewal.

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Thank you, everyone, for the input. Here in SC, the CNA must pass a practical examination and renew as well. There are also PCT-patient care techs who do CNA work and aren't certified. This is what most of the nursing students who were working were doing.

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And I, too, would need to renew this every two years, but in two years I'll be finished with my BSN, so I'll be skipping the CNA renewal.

IXCHEL

Let me see if I clarify this for you: As a RN who is a DIRECTOR OF NURSING for an agengy that uses CNA

1. In Maryland a license and a certification are NOT the same thing

2. If you are certified you are NOT able to practice independantly. When you renew your certification in 2 years, it will REQUIRE that a RN approve your application for renewal

3. As a licensed LPN or RN - when you renew your application every year you DO NOT need to have anyone approve your application.

4. Once you get your BSN - then you will be able to practice independantly and will no longer be certified but will be licensed.

Hope this clears it up

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