Can an LPN get a job as a CNA?

caliotter3 · Dec 17, 2009

I took a CNA job with my LVN license. However, I do not know if this is allowed in FL. Call the licensing authority and see what they say. You can probably find out from the prospective employer also. They will tell you if a CNA certificate is required.

wsp4905 · Dec 17, 2009

I am a LPN student in florida, and we are able to challenge the CNA test to get licensed and work as CNA. Also, several students in my class work as home health aides, and they are not licensed, but are able to do so because they are nursing student (probably has more to do with their employment agencies rules).

I would contact the state in Tallahassee to clarify. But I see no reason why a LPN can't work as a CNA; because you are actually over qualified and should already know about patient safety, transfers, toileting pt.s, bed baths etc.

Blackcat99 · Dec 17, 2009

Thanks Caliotter and Wendy.:loveya: The job site I found did not give me any phone numbers or email addresses to ask questions. Caliotter when you worked as a CNA, did everyone know you were really an LVN? If yes, did they ever ask "What's wrong with you. You are an LPN. Why are you working as a CNA"? Yes, I think I will call the florida state board and see if they know.

Katie5 · Dec 17, 2009

I really don't think it should matter what any other person thinks. You're are the one with the LPN license.You are also the one willing to work as a CNA, which should be all good and dandy. I'm sure you must have thought it out before deciding to give it a shot. When push comes to shove, sometimes you do what needs to be done.

Music in My Heart · Dec 17, 2009

I'm a newly minted RN and also a CNA. Until I was recently hired I was applying for CNA jobs but couldn't get anywhere. I'm sure they knew that the moment I had a nursing gig that I was gone. You may face the same problem.

To your question, though: I had to apply under my CNA certificate, not my nursing license.

Blackcat99 · Dec 17, 2009

Thanks all. Many, many years ago, I knew an LPN who wanted to work as a CNA only. She was in her early 70's and she made it clear that she only wanted to work as a CNA. They told her yes she could. However, management was constantly bugging her to work as an LPN again. She got so sick and tired of being bugged to death about it that she quit the CNA job. :crying2:

caliotter3 · Dec 17, 2009

Thanks Caliotter and Wendy.:loveya: The job site I found did not give me any phone numbers or email addresses to ask questions. Caliotter when you worked as a CNA, did everyone know you were really an LVN? If yes, did they ever ask "What's wrong with you. You are an LPN. Why are you working as a CNA"? Yes, I think I will call the florida state board and see if they know.

The DON hired me as a CNA until an LVN position opened up with the thought that I would take the LVN position when it became available. That is what happened. I tried to keep it a secret from my co-workers that I was really an LVN, but unfortunately another nurse spilled the beans, so that was that. I do not recommend working in the same place under these circumstances. I had problems supervising the CNAs and management did not support me. I would have had less problems if they had not seen me as a CNA first. Only do this if you have to, or if you see that management is likely to support you once you make the change from CNA to LPN. (Ha, ha, thinking that management supports their nurses!)

Blackcat99 · Dec 17, 2009

Thanks Caliotter. Yes, it did make me laugh:yeah: (thinking that management supports there nurses) I just called a phone number of a CNA class in Florida to see if they knew where I could go to challenge the CNA test. I was just informed that if I got a Florida CNA that my Florida LPN license would then become NULL AND VOID!!!! Yikes!!!! :eek:

pagandeva2000, LPN · Dec 17, 2009

Thanks Caliotter. Yes, it did make me laugh:yeah: (thinking that management supports there nurses) I just called a phone number of a CNA class in Florida to see if they knew where I could go to challenge the CNA test. I was just informed that if I got a Florida CNA that my Florida LPN license would then become NULL AND VOID!!!! Yikes!!!!

I think you should call the BON of your state rather than the CNA school to verify. Truthfully, I am having a very hard time believing that taking a CNA class would void a nursing license, but I am also open enough to say that I can be very wrong.

dulcemorena · Dec 17, 2009

I already had my CNA certification while I attended nursing school. Those in my class that didnt have their certification were told that they could take the CNA written and skills test once we finished our geriatric rotation in school, for that would be accepted the same as if they were to sit in a six week CNA training class. Just call the FL DOH .. call whoever is in charge of the testing. Or take a chance and call a few nursing facilities and see if they hire LPN's as CNA's without CNA certification.

Blackcat99 · Dec 17, 2009

Thanks all. I just called the state board of nursing for CNA's. They gave me a phone number to contact to challenge the CNA test. She said it is OK to have both an LPN and CNA license in Florida. I will call the state board of nursing for LPN's tomorrow. I want to make absolutely sure it is OK.