Can you work as NA, CNA, or LPN if RN?

[Curious1alwys, BSN, RN]

I know why would you want to right?

Well, no RN jobs and just wanting to have all options. Does anyone know if you can do this in Arizona? Can you apply for a job that requires a CNA license with an RN license?

I didn't think so but then I do hear of RN's applying for CNA jobs...can it be done?

THX

[rzyzzy]

That's the problem with the BON website - it's really as clear as mud...

I found a document - see below, that purports to answer that question.. kinda

http://www.azbn.gov/documents/advisory_opinion/AO%20DUAL%20PROFESSION%20AND%20DUAL%20HEALTH%20CARE%20LICENSURE%20CERTIFICATION.pdf

What I think it says is yes you can function as an LPN, but you would still have the responsibilities of working to the "level" of your license. But you would also be limited in your scope of practice to your employer's job description for an LPN. So you would still need a different RN to "supervise" you, and you wouldn't be able to do anything that particular facility designates for RN's.

If you were hired as an RN, you could "fill in" for an LPN, but do everything an RN does.

For CNA... I dunno.. Hopefully you won't have to know either!

Good luck!

[fromtheseaRN, BSN, RN]

the other issue i've heard of RNs working under a lower license is that the facility will know you are an RN and take advantage of that- you will most likely be asked to start performing RN duties while making the hourly wage of a LPN. if an error is made in any situation and it comes out in litigation that you were not working under your license but rather another a title that you are not actually licensed/certified in (you have a RN license, not a LPN or CNA), it turns into a big mess. my nursing instructors have always advised against doing this.