LVN to CNA backward - help please.

[chuck11]

I have been LVN graduated for more than 6 months and still could not find any job anywhere. They all asking for experiences. But i noticed that CNA job, they do not ask experience. So i was thinking to take CNA board test (if allowed) and at least try to get my foot into some hospital or anywhere. For that Do i need CNA schooling or my LVN license should allow me to take challenge CNA board test. Any one with similar feelings??? help..

[lifetimern]

Wow, your the second post I've read today on this subject. The answer is that as an LPN you can work as a CNA. Most states will let you challenge the exam; so, check with your board of nursing. However, and this uber-important, if you hold a license to practice nursing, you are held to the responsiblities of your highest licensure. If something untoward were to occur and a patient was harmed, you are libel at the level of an LPN, not a CNA (even if your are employed as a CNA -- no facility can relieve you of this responsibility). The only way that you can practice solely within the scope of a CNA is to surrender your nursing license, which I would avoid at all costs.

[Midwest4me]

You should check with your state's board of nursing but my guess is that you'd need to have completed a CNA course. It doesn't make much sense. Nor does (or did) the requirement that was listed for years at our hospital for LPN which read something like: " Two years of experience. Six months' experience as a CNA may be substituted for one of those years." How ridiculous! We SUPERVISE CNA's!!!!