Can nursing students apply for CNA or LPN jobs

CoffeemateCNA · Apr 17, 2010

Most places will let you work as a CNA if you have passed a "Fundamentals of Nursing" or "Med/Surg" course. That is usually done during the first semester.

LPN is more tricky. I have heard of RN students who were allowed to take the NCLEX-PN after their first year of school and then work as an LPN, but the program has to be set up in a certain way.

Why don't you contact your school about all of this? I guarantee that you are not the first person to have these questions. Your school will be able to give you more definitive answers than anyone here.

suzers26 · Apr 17, 2010

Alot of nsg programs are set up that half way through you can take a lpn course (normally a couple of weeks long) so you can work LPN while finishing Nsg school. Then depending on the state, I know PA does it, you may be able to get a temporary LPN license without taking the exam for 1 yr. to allow you to finish RN & work as a LPN without paying double testing fees. It really depends on the state and the school program. Ask your Nursing advisor what the options are at your school & state, it's the only way to get a difinitive answer.

caliotter3 · Apr 17, 2010

If you hold a CNA certificate or an LPN license, then go ahead and apply for a job. It will be up to you to fit a work schedule around your school schedule. Don't let school suffer because of a job, and don't let your job suffer because of school. Plan some time for physical rest.

bebahloo · Apr 18, 2010

I have wondered this for a long time myself. Does anyone know anything about massachusetts?

Angel0411 · Apr 20, 2010

Check the Board of Nursing for your state. In MD you have to have completed one semester of clinicals.

FoxyAry07 · Apr 21, 2010

What type of nursing program are you in? How long have you been in school. Do you have any other medical trainings. Im kind of in the same boat. But im currently in a CNA weekend class to gain experience for nursing school. Ive researched this site and lot and it seems to help out in the long run.

Theresa82 · Apr 22, 2010

I am currently an office manager for a chiropractor, I will be starting clinicals in Spring 2011. I have to get three sciences out of the way before I can start clinicals.

mcaban413 · Apr 23, 2010

I've been a CNA a while. I've worked in two major hospitals. Most will hire a nursing student as a CNA after completing their first semester. And in PA after your first semester most qualify to sit for the NA registry exam for certification.

turnforthenurse, MSN, NP · Apr 29, 2010

You can be a CNA (or STNA in Ohio). I've actually worked with a few people who had their CNA but aren't nursing students. Check to see what the requirements are.

I am not a CNA but I have worked as a PCNA (patient care nursing assistant) and I now work as a nurse tech at a different hospital. For the PCNA position they wanted to have at least med-surg completed (unless you already have your CNA) and for the nurse tech position, it was pretty much the same thing.

As a PCNA, I did your basic nursing assistant duties - vital signs, I/O's, turning patients q2h, etc etc etc...I was also allowed to do blood sugars. Every hospital is different.

As a nurse tech, I do all of the above + I can do just about anything I've learned in school (foley caths, IV's, blood draws, dressing changes - both sterile and non-sterile, etc etc etc) except assess and do meds. I love my current job :)

RNTutor, BSN, RN · Apr 29, 2010

Check with your local hospitals. In my area, the hospital system has its own program to train "care partners" (which are basically their version of a nursing assistant). They hire anyone who's qualified, but if you're a nursing student who has finished Fundamentals and 1 semester of Med-Surg, then they will let you skip part of the training.

bebahloo · May 24, 2010

Found out about Massachusetts. Yes, you can. Its called a Nurse Tech job and most of the hospitals have them. They only pay like $12/hr but I would do it for free just for the experience.