Can a RN fill a CNA slot?

kcochrane · Apr 29, 2009

Check with your board. In NYS you cannot be hired as a CNA unless you are certified as one. But many facilities utilize nurses as CNAs when needed. Check with your board to see if you qualifiy with your RN training to sit for your CNA certification.

lzthsnchz66 · Apr 29, 2009

In california, (where I live) any nursing school student who has completed either the fundamentals portion or first semester of their program can apply for a CNA certificate. The process is similar to challenging the boards and you typically need the director of your school to sign off. It should be fairly easy.

Many of my classmates in my VN program did this to work during school or while waiting for the boards.

justwannabanurse · Apr 29, 2009

I live in PA, and I worked at my job as a GPN and even though I am licensed now as a GPN, and as a LPN myself, and the other nurse that I work with are constantly being pulled to the floor to work as CNA's when they are short then they leave 1 nurse on the floor. I questioned it because I am not a certified cna in PA I used to be in MD but never transferred it. I was told once you went to nursing school you could step down and work as an aide without being certified.

TuTonka · Apr 29, 2009

Contact your BON they should be able to tell you. I went to LPN school first and after first term you became a CNA so it never was an issue for me. Good luck.

TuTonka

pagandeva2000, LPN · Apr 29, 2009

As mentioned, I would inquire with the BON and if it is required, see if you can challenge the test. These days, a person wants to eat and will do what they have to do. If you obtain a position as a CNA, then, you may be eligible for an RN position and not have to go through so much.

AshiPanda · Apr 29, 2009

CNA's scope of practice is under the umbrella of the nurse. Of course you can do CNA work, you're more than qualified...

morte, LPN, LVN · Apr 29, 2009

a very big HOWEVER, you will be held to your highest lic......if you are working in a hosp. as a CNA but have your RN you will be held to the level of knowledge of an RN without the orientation......are YOU willing to take that risk?...and some hospitals arent willing either.......

nminodob · Apr 29, 2009

a very big HOWEVER, you will be held to your highest lic......if you are working in a hosp. as a CNA but have your RN you will be held to the level of knowledge of an RN without the orientation......are YOU willing to take that risk?...and some hospitals arent willing either.......

I don't see how this could be true, because I worked as a Public Service Aide (student nurse) in a California hospital after I had passed the NCLEX but was not yet hired there as an RN. I did phlebotomy until one of the charge nurses threw a hissy fit and it was decided that, although I had an RN license, I was not working under that license and therefore was not allowed to do anything outside my "scope of practice" - so I had to stop doing invasive procedures, even though I had gotten quite competent at them. I think that you are held to the scope of practice of the position you were hired for and the duties that position is responsible for. What if I had previously been a respiratory therapist, and then worked as a nurse assistant while going to school for my nursing license? Would I be held to the level of my RT license if I was toileting a patient and they de-satted? I don't think so!

morte, LPN, LVN · Apr 29, 2009

I don't see how this could be true, because I worked as a Public Service Aide (student nurse) in a California hospital after I had passed the NCLEX but was not yet hired there as an RN. I did phlebotomy until one of the charge nurses threw a hissy fit and it was decided that, although I had an RN license, I was not working under that license and therefore was not allowed to do anything outside my "scope of practice" - so I had to stop doing invasive procedures, even though I had gotten quite competent at them. I think that you are held to the scope of practice of the position you were hired for and the duties that position is responsible for. What if I had previously been a respiratory therapist, and then worked as a nurse assistant while going to school for my nursing license? Would I be held to the level of my RT license if I was toileting a patient and they de-satted? I don't think so![/quote]
the bold part is comparing apples to oranges.....and this has been discussed on AN before...one pca was most chagrined when she was "fired" when she passed her nclex.....because of the liability issue, and no available RN slots

NurseLoveJoy88, ASN, RN · Apr 29, 2009

This is a tough one. I would check with the BON and the facility. Make sure you CYA !!! or CYB ( I hate to use curse words).

I've in similiar situations. I have my CMT but when I work as a CNA in the hospital do I go around passing meds ? NO.

Once they asked me to do a BGL on someone and I refused. Yes I do BGL all the time in nursing school and on my primary job that BGL checks is delegated to me... but I did not do them for the facility that asked me. The nurse caught an attitude, and I told her " Well, I don't mind doing x, y, and z, but before I do, do you mind checking with the BON to see if they agree? "

After I asked her to check with the BON, her face dropped and she walked away and did not ask me to do anything else out of my " scope".

So yeah go with your gut and check with the BON.

Be_Moore · Apr 29, 2009

I would also just inquire on whether or not your RN could override the need for CNA. Case in point: Instead of being hired as a CNA, hire you as a regular NA or NT. Because if you have your RN, they shouldn't care if you are a "Certified" NA.

Better advice, though...move. Find a city that is hiring, and move there. Good luck.