An RN can work as a CNA?

Nurses General Nursing

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Hi, I've got my RN license last Sept. 20th when I passed my NCLEX-RN exam for NH, but I have a signed contract with an agency (they helped me with all the CGFNS paperwork) . They haven't gotten me any job (I think it could take several months). I'm desperate at this time. I'm a foreign nurse from Mexico, and also a LPR since 3 years ago. The agency, is located in CA, so that is the State where I'm planning to work.

In the meanwhile, I'd like to take a CNA course, and that way, I could get a job as a CNA in CA.

My question is if is it possible to get a CNA certification in CA, being RN in another State, in this case NH.

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Specializes in Critical Care.

You are asking the wrong people, you need to contact the BON of that state or who ever is responsible for oversight of CNA's. I don't know why you would need to take a CNA course, as an RN you are already responsible for overseeing CNA's. I understand completely about the need to find a job but the people you need to talk to are the licensing/certification people directly. Good luck to you

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You can get a CNA job in CA with your RN license. The state of CA removed all CNA certificates from licensed nurses back in 1994. They probably will not let you get a CNA certificate since you hold an RN license. Endorse your NH RN license to CA.

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Specializes in Critical Care, Capacity/Bed Management.

Most facilities will allow a nursing student who has taken and passed their first year clinicals to work as CNA's or PCT's. I have many friends who have passed NCLEX but continue to work as techs due to the lack of jobs in the industry. The facility I work for makes RN's working as PCT's sign an agreement regarding scope of practice. So you might be able to work as a CNA/PCT without having to waste money on a course...

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Specializes in Hospice.

Contact your bon, but i get assigned to work as a cna once in a very blue moon (im an rn) and we have agency lpns work as cnas when they come to our facility.

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Most likely it will be a patient care tech job. The facility where I work doesn't know what tod o with the LVNs and willbe offering them PCT jobs.

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Most facilities will allow a nursing student who has taken and passed their first year clinicals to work as CNA's or PCT's. I have many friends who have passed NCLEX but continue to work as techs due to the lack of jobs in the industry. The facility I work for makes RN's working as PCT's sign an agreement regarding scope of practice. So you might be able to work as a CNA/PCT without having to waste money on a course...

Exactly, but if for some reason you need to get your aide certification in CA (although I'm an RN one SNF would only hire me as an aide with my cert!), here's how to do it. I got my paperwork back from the Health Dept. in about a week.

https://allnurses.com/cna-nursing-assistant/how-become-cna-451773.html

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