I need help on how to be a CNA in California

U.S.A. California

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I just finished LVN school last month and I want to start working as a CNA while I wait to take my nclex and finally get my license.

I currently work at the food court not getting many hours, and I would like to work as a CNA to get more experience before I get my LVN license.

I've been told that since I already finished LVN school, I am qualified to be a CNA I just have to challenge the exam and get certified but I don't know where or how. I've found on google where to take CNA classes but not where to challenge the CNA exam.

I've looked on google and asked my school job placement department but I have had no luck. I'm hoping you guys can help.

Thanks

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Tele, IM, OB/GYN, neuro, GI.

You have to call the BON and they will direct you to who you need to tak to about challenging the exam. I've heard it takes about a month to get results for LVN/RN NCLEX in California co you may want to check and see how long it will take you to get approved to take the exam, take the exam, and get your license. So you should factor that with how long you want to wait to take the boards.

I know where I live after you graduate/while you're in the program some facilities will hire you as a student nurse until you get you GPN status from the board then you'll be a graduate nurse until you pass the NCLEX. This gets you around having to take the CNA exam just to use it for a couple of months. It also saves you money especially at this time considering how expensive it is to sit for the NCLEX. Call some of the facilities that you're interested in to see if they have this option.

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You have to call the BON and they will direct you to who you need to tak to about challenging the exam. I've heard it takes about a month to get results for LVN/RN NCLEX in California co you may want to check and see how long it will take you to get approved to take the exam, take the exam, and get your license. So you should factor that with how long you want to wait to take the boards.

I know where I live after you graduate/while you're in the program some facilities will hire you as a student nurse until you get you GPN status from the board then you'll be a graduate nurse until you pass the NCLEX. This gets you around having to take the CNA exam just to use it for a couple of months. It also saves you money especially at this time considering how expensive it is to sit for the NCLEX. Call some of the facilities that you're interested in to see if they have this option.

I can only find the California board or Registered nursing and the California board of Vocational nursing. who do i call ?

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Specializes in Med/Surg.

I hope this helps

http://www.dhs.ca.gov/lnc/cert/

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Would focus on getting the PN exam done when you can. it will be easier to find a job that way, and it takes about a month before you will get your license to practice as an LVN in CA.

To work in any facility as a CNA requires an orientation for that job, and if a facility knows that you are just waiting to write your exam for the PN, they may wait before they permit you to start working as you will need a completely different orientation in the role of the PN when you have your license and are working under that.

I would try to get a job as a graduate PN if anything as mentioned above, that will be easier for you and make it easier to transition into the role of the PN, and that does not require that you take any exam.

You may wish to check out some LTC facilities in your area as a start.

Best of luck to you.

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Tele, IM, OB/GYN, neuro, GI.
I can only find the California board or Registered nursing and the California board of Vocational nursing. who do i call ?

You would call the Vocational borad of nursing. They should direct you to the proper person. I believe there is also a link to all the BON's under the links tab on the top of the pages here.

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CA actually does not have a BON; they have a BRN for the Registered Nurses and the LVNs are covered under the Voactional Board. They are completely separate entities, and housed in different offices.

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http://www.cdph.ca.gov/services/training/Pages/HealthProfessionals.aspx

This is the link to cna licensing for the state of California

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