I have a BSN, should I get CNA?

Nursing Students ADN/BSN

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I have a BSN, and I am finding it difficult to find employment. I have been looking for a job since January. Does anyone recommend becoming a CNA? I think that this may help me to get my foot in the door, but I would like some advice! Thank you!!

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Specializes in Pedi.

Are you an RN? If so, it's unlikely that you're going to find an employer who will hire you into a CNA role and, depending on your state, your BON may not allow it.

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I am an RN. I was considering taking the CNA course and exam. Not sure if it is worth it or not.

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Specializes in Pedi.
I am an RN. I was considering taking the CNA course and exam. Not sure if it is worth it or not.

It's not worth it. Nursing students don't need to take a CNA course or exam in most places to work in a nurse's aide role, it would be a complete waste of time and money for a licensed RN to take a course to be a CNA.

Where have you been applying for RN positions? Think outside the box.

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Specializes in Transitional Nursing.

If you're an RN you have no need to take the CNA course. You would just apply for CNA jobs ....like others have mentioned its going to be hard to get a job as a CNA though because you're held to your highest license so even though you would be working as a CNA you will have to be as responsible as a nurse if that makes sense. It is a good idea as far as getting your foot in the door I know what you're saying. You could also volunteer and get to know people that way and see about openings as you go.

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Specializes in PACU, presurgical testing.

I agree with the above post--some states will not let you work as a CNA/LNA if you hold an LPN or RN license. Find out what your state BON says. If you are allowed to work as a CNA, you might be able to "challenge" the CNA exam rather than take a course; several of my classmates did this after our fundamentals clinical first semester so that they could work as LNAs while continuing in the RN program. But once they got their RN, they could no longer work as an LNA (again, this is in my state, may not be the case in yours).

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You do not need to take a CNA exam - and you will not be hired in a CNA role as an RN. Period.

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I can't imagine any facility - hospital, LTC, dialysis - hiring an RN as a CNA with or without the certification. I DO know a few RN's who have landed MA positions - for MA pay - though.

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Specializes in Hem/Onc/BMT.

When I was looking for my first RN job last summer, I actually got a call from a hospital (where I did not get an interview) for the nurses aide position that I had applied previously. I was advised that it was an option to work there as an aide and then apply to their new grad program when it would be offered again in winter since internals get an advantage. I ended up getting an offer elsewhere but yes, some places will let you work CNA position.

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Specializes in OB-Gyn/Primary Care/Ambulatory Leadership.
When I was looking for my first RN job last summer, I actually got a call from a hospital (where I did not get an interview) for the nurses aide position that I had applied previously. I was advised that it was an option to work there as an aide and then apply to their new grad program when it would be offered again in winter since internals get an advantage. I ended up getting an offer elsewhere but yes, some places will let you work CNA position.

There is a hospital network where I live that does that as well.

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