Can you work as a CNA/NA/LPN as licensed RN?

Nurses General Nursing

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Specializes in cardiac/education.

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? 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 around here of RN's applying for CNA jobs...can it be done? Or is that a state by state thing?

THX

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Specializes in OR / CDU.

In Texas you can't. I had to quit my tech job after passing NCLEX and went without a job for a week until my R.N. job started.

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Specializes in Medical Surgical & Nursing Manaagement.

In NYS you are held to your highest license, i.e., if you are employed as an aide and hold a RN license, it doesn't matter that you are an aide the state will hold you accountable as if you are a RN. Most institutions will ask for your resignation within 30-90 days of passing NCLEX.

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Specializes in Med/surg, rural CCU.

Depends on the state...and you are held to the responsibility of your lisence even if you are working below it.

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depends on the state

and in some facilities they will keep u as a cna if they intend to hire u as an RN

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Specializes in LTC, Psych, Hospice.

You can't in my state unless you are a certified nursing assistant or licensed practical nurse.

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Specializes in Med/surg, O.R.

May I ask where you are for it to not be any jobs for a nurse? I am in Northwest,IN and there are overloads of jobs for RN's. About working as a CNA and having an RN license I dont think you can do that. You have to have a CNA license to work as a CNA. However, you may be able to take the state test for CNA's without going through the class and get your CNA license. But then again with you already being an RN I am not sure. Your best bet is to call the nursing board in the state you live in and ask what you can do about your current situation. Good luck!!!!

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Specializes in Pediatrics.
May I ask where you are for it to not be any jobs for a nurse? I am in Northwest,IN and there are overloads of jobs for RN's. About working as a CNA and having an RN license I dont think you can do that. You have to have a CNA license to work as a CNA. However, you may be able to take the state test for CNA's without going through the class and get your CNA license. But then again with you already being an RN I am not sure. Your best bet is to call the nursing board in the state you live in and ask what you can do about your current situation. Good luck!!!!

CNAs are not licensed they are certified nursing assistants, therefore if you are a RN you can do the CNA job. What would happen if you worked on a floor without CNAs you the RN would be doing total pt care.

Now if you can work as a CNA while you are a RN, I believe it depends not only on the state but the facility as well.

I graduated became a RN and I am still working as a CNA untill I can find someone who will hire me as a RN, my hospital is happy to keep me on as a CNA, (they can not hire more RNs due to buget issues)

However I have a friend who worked as a nurse extern during school, and was given a 2 week notice from her job after she passed the NCLEX. She was no longer a student nurse nor was she a CNA so she was no longer eligible for the position and they too (buget) where unable to hire her has a RN

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Specializes in Nursing Education, CVICU, Float Pool.

In my state (NC) you can, but like the other posters said the state board of nursing hold you responsible to your highest level of licensure.

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Specializes in Nursing Education, CVICU, Float Pool.

In my state (NC) you can, but like the other posters said the state board of nursing hold you responsible to your highest level of licensure.I could understand what your saying about having to wrok as a CNA or LPN with an RN license. The RN jobs just aren't out there that much for new grads. I know many that just graduated RN school who are working as LPN's till they can get the RN job that they want.

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Specializes in Psych/CD/Medical/Emp Hlth/Staff ED.

Maybe we've been naive, but where I work RN's cover holes in the CNA staffing all the time. Some nurses like it (no passing meds) others not so much (nurses don't always take direction well from other nurses, particularly when the direction is to deal with a code brown). I don't think anybody has brought up any legal concerns, and I'm not sure what they would be since there is nothing a CNA does that an RN is not also trained and competent in, although if you do something bad, it's your RN license on the line, not your non-existent CNA certification.

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I did in my state(OH). The AL place I was at was short handed so as an LPN I worked as a care associate-different rules governing ALFs. I was in AZ recently and a nurse was still working in the ED as a tech cos he couldn't find a nursing job.

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