If you were a CNA did your job let you promote to LVN/LPN after school?

Natasha A., CNA, LVN · Nov 10, 2014

I'm just speaking from my experience.. I am a CNA and have been at my current job for six years. Our facility had several DON's some who where "school friendly" and some who were not. Luckily, I requested to reduce my work hours when I had a DON at the time who loved CNA's going back to school. The DON that we have now is not "school friendly" and one of my co-workers is having a hard time adjusting her work schedule around school. Overall, it really depends on the facility team. :)

Natasha A., CNA, LVN · Nov 10, 2014

Will you be working in an acute care hospital?

proud nurse, BSN, RN · Nov 11, 2014

I was not a CNA, but I was an LPN going back to school for my RN. My employer was supportive, flexible with my scheduling needs, and offered tuition reimbursement. When I started my final semester, we got a new DON. She was very different from the previous one that I had a good working relationship with. This new one couldn 't care less about my history with the company. When I graduated and passed NCLEX, there was no loyalty to me. I wanted to keep my hours and schedule just the same, but she said that my position was budgeted for an LPN (well, duh...I held that position for 7 years as an LPN). I thought I could just slide right in as an RN, but she said we didn't need 4 RN's on nocs. She didn't lift a finger to help find a position for me.

caliotter3 · Nov 11, 2014

The DON who hired me one time stated I would be supported while in RN school. She said I could adjust my schedule accordingly and that there would be an RN position waiting for me when I graduated. She was particularly impressed that I was pursuing a BSN. But that all changed when a new midlevel supervisor was hired and this DON left the job. At that time, all the initial promises went out the window.

I provided this experience to indicate that a lot of the time, personnel decisions or attitudes are a function of the individual, and not necessarily an employer policy.

jawatson87 · Nov 11, 2014

I work in an acute long term hospital

LemonMonkey · Nov 15, 2014

My job is extremely helpful to those of us wanting to further our educations. I know at least 2 of our RNs have worked there through school and went from CNA to RN. We have 2 CNAs in nursing school right now and they're very flexible with their hours based on their school schedule. We don't have tuition reimbursement right now but everyone is certain it will make a return soon. Ask people that have been working there for a while and see what they say about how other people have moved up the ladder.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Nov 20, 2014

I wouldn't want to work as a nurse on a unit where I previously worked as a CNA or patient care tech. There's the old saying: "You can't go home again."

I've seen this process happen repeatedly. When a CNA is promoted to a licensed nursing position after passing NCLEX, some of the other CNAs become resentful and act as saboteurs to make things difficult for the new nurse.

CaliLVN-RN · Nov 23, 2014

Hahahahaha, NO! I've been working as a LVN for 5 years almost 6 years and still stuck as a CNA at an acute care facility. My director was very supportive of me going back to school but she sure didn't do anything to help get me on our floor as a LVN. The current director I have is awesome! Different floor but same hospital. She said if they would bring back LVN's then she would do her best to get me on the floor as a LVN. I love this woman. She really supports her staff and is very supportive of people going back to school. You should never leave your acute care job even if you're a CNA. Get a 2nd job as a LVN and then get your RN. That's my goal right now.

nursefromcali · Nov 26, 2014

Well I guess, if you have LVN license already you are capable of doing licensed nursing job. If your facility is using you as CNA I can say it's unfair to you and for you license as well.. Some facility will automatically hired the CNA who turned LVN as their LVN.. If they still not hire you as LVN I better look for other job. Better pay and better opportunities as well. :)

allnurses Guide · Nov 26, 2014

I wouldn't want to work as a nurse on a unit where I previously worked as a CNA or patient care tech. There's the old saying: "You can't go home again."
I've seen this process happen repeatedly. When a CNA is promoted to a licensed nursing position after passing NCLEX, some of the other CNAs become resentful and act as saboteurs to make things difficult for the new nurse.

I never saw that when I was working LTC. In fact, when I was a CNA, I trained CNA's who later became nurses and, therefore, my supervisors. I never had a problem with it and neither did any of the other aides.

I also, now, work, as a nurse, on the same unit (psych) where I was an aide for years. Not just myself, but other aides became nurses and also work on the same unit. Absolutely no issues. We tend to be very supportive of each other when a coworker pursues school.

I would, therefore, have to say that it totally depends on the culture of the workplace. If I saw resentful behavior towards others who have moved on, then no way I'd try to stay on after I got my license.

My employer paid for my education, gave me a scholarship and handed me a full time days/evening position upon graduation. While in school, I could arrange my schedule around classes and clinical.

Yes, there are some supportive employers and coworkers out there.

I've been lucky.

Red Kryptonite · Nov 26, 2014

Like Hygiene Queen, my employer is paying for my tuition and books, and due to that I will owe them a year of employment. I fully expect to work for them as a LPN, then as a RN eventually.