Can a new RN still work as a CNA

[beatrice1]

Graduated from Nursing school with an ADN. Cannot find any employment. I need a job.

Can you still work work as a cna after graduating as an RN. Should I start to apply for Nursing assistant jobs to get my foot in the door at least? what next?

Bea

[360jRN]

Another avenue you could look into would be working as a Ward Clerk. While in nursing school I worked as a clerk first on a Med/Surg floor then transferring down into the ER. The experience I gained was priceless! It gave me insight into the paperwork, which you'll soon find out is what you'll spend most of your time doing Lol, and the computer systems that we used at the hospital. Now I know its different in your case because you are recently graduated. But if it were me and I had the option between clerking or aiding, I would choose clerking everytime!

[chare]

as previous posters have mentioned, this is going to vary from state to state. additionally, in those states that do allow this you will likely find this to vary from facility to facility as well.

the following was copied from the north carolina board of nursing practice frequently asked questions:

a licensed nurse may accept and work in a position that he/she has the training to do and that is within his/her scope of practice. a

rn

has the training to perform lpn and na functions and therefore could accept a position identified for either of these levels. however, the nurse that does so would still be required to act prudently based on his/her

educational

preparation and would be held to that standard.

congratulation on graduation and good luck in your job search.

[ecosurfer]

In Florida where I live they don't allow it, I'm sure it varies depending on your location

[L8RRN]

There is a difference between CNA and NA. CNA is required for nursing homes due to OBRA (a federal act). You must be tested and certified to work in a nursing home as a CNA. Some hospitals may hire non-certified NAs to fill similar positions because they are not held to the OBRA standards.

[netglow, ASN, RN]

Yes in many states its legal, although as others have said, you will be held to your RN. Many hospitals won't consider an RN for a tech job because they KNOW you don't want to be a tech and will high-tail-it outta there as soon as you get an RN job.

[s.analia]

Hey,

sorry to hear you didnt find a job yet , why dont you check the nursing homes ? sometimes they are a bit easier to hire nurses (just out of school), there are tons of nursing homes, assited living etc. check them out