Is it a bad idea to go back to school for a CNA license after graduating as LVN?

Nurses General Nursing

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I was thinking of getting my CNA license but I've heard I can lose my LVN license if I work as a CNA? Is this a myth? I'm in California

I guess the confusing part was showing them certification. I'm still looking for work as an lvn but I'll also put Cna in the application incase they have that instead, and just show them my lvn license right?

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Is there anyway you can move? It is sort of like, if you put all that time and money in to your license, you may have to move to where the jobs are. El Paso, Houston, different part of Cali..

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I know this does not answer your question, but why not use the time more efficiently and go to school to be an RN? If you are already an LVN, a CNA is a downgrade in your profession, isn't it?

If you're after a CNA job, I assume they will hire a more experienced and higher licensed LVN for the job if they can get away with paying you the same.

I know some places here like to hire new grad RNs for CNA positions to take advantage of their desperation and need for a job...lol. I do not see why they wouldn't do the same for an LVN.

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Why do I feel like something is being left out of this story ?

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Specializes in Med/Surg, LTACH, LTC, Home Health.
Virtual said:
I guess the confusing part was showing them certification. I'm still looking for work as an lvn but I'll also put CNA in the application incase they have that instead, and just show them my lvn license right?

No. Plain and simple. Once you show your nursing license, any position less than a nurse is pretty much cancelled as far as employment. As others have stated, including yourself ("just to get my foot in the door, the CNA course is 3months(I think). I was thinking if I work as a CNA for 6months to a year eventually I can move up to the lvn position at the same place"), as soon as something better comes along, you're gone.

I'm not in California and am not aware of their certification allowances. But I equate your questions to that of a college or technical school graduate who tries to return to high school.

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Conqueror+ said:
Why do I feel like something is being left out of this story ?

...because you don't realize how desperate a lot of new graduate nurses are in California? I know an LVN working as a telemetry monitor and another working as a unit clerk. They've both been looking for LVN work for over a year while working in their non-nursing jobs. It's a tough market.

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Specializes in M/S, Pulmonary, Travel, Homecare, Psych..

I agree with the poster who said, if you want to go back to school, move forwards not backwards. Consider getting your RN.

I go against the grain with a number of things many of us nurses seem to believe/push onto others. On of those things is: Being a CNA while in nursing school. There is a myriad of reasons not to do this, but people assume just because you are working around the nurses it's good experience.

Even if you could get a CNA position, you'd be facing a lot of the same issues nursing students who work as a CNA in school face after graduation:

1. If you end up getting a job as an LPN on that unit, most of your peers will have difficulty seeing you as an LPN. You will change roles on paper, but in the minds of more than a few, you'll forever be the CNA. Trust me, this will annoy you to no end and you will be here on AN posting about it after a couple months.

Also, even if you go to a different unit in the same facility, this may still occur.

2. Your CNA peers will attempt to stunt your growth. This is mostly unintentional but, it's what happens. You will hear "Don't become like THEM just because your job changed" and all sorts of things. Your CNA peers will, more than any other group, expect you to continue to perform your old role PLUS your new one.

This is kind of a repeat of #1 but, believe me, it's very intense from the CNA crowd who will feel you are leaving them behind.

3. What if you hate the unit you are on? Some unit managers take it very personal if you do not stay with them once an LPN position becomes available.

4. You will be at risk for burn out. The whole time you are working as a CNA, you will be saying under your breath "I can't wait for an LPN position so I don't have to........(this/that/the other thing)." You will be frustrated working as a CNA with your license.

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Why are people judging the OP?

What is wrong with making money while looking for a job?

$12/hr is better than $0/hr.

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Specializes in M/S, Pulmonary, Travel, Homecare, Psych..
smartnurse1982 said:
Why are people judging the OP?

What is wrong with making money while looking for a job?

$12/hr is better than $0/hr.

And not taking a step backwards, or damaging your career...........is priceless.

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Hi Virtual. I can answer this because I was in that exact same situation last year. Brief background on me, I'm an RN currently in CA who took a long hiatus off of work to raise my kids and who could not find work for over a year even though I took an RN refresher course. I asked a couple of places where I had applied whether I could work as a CNA just to continue working in the healthcare field. They both told me I needed to be certified as a CNA with a CNA license. Did a little research and sure enough, even if you are an LVN, RN, or any type of health care worker, you cannot work as a CNA without a CNA license in CA. So I signed up for a course and went to CNA school for a couple of months and took the exam and passed. Got my CNA license and found a job right away. While applying at the job, they found out I was an RN and they hired me for that instead. If you get your CNA license, you will not lose your LVN license. Maybe most other states do things differently, but this is CA. You can expect things like this in this state. So from personal experience, I don't think it's a bad idea at all in regards to your question. Make sure you check with the CA BON about requirements and such before you sign up for any courses. If you have prior experience, you may be able to take the CNA test without having to take the course which varies in price depending on where you take it from a few hundred to over a thousand. Good luck and hang in there. Persistence does pay off!

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Specializes in LTC Management, Community Nursing, HHC.

Have you considered home health? From what I've heard and read recently, home health companies are willing to hire new grad LVNs. Another option is to just go to an ALF and apply for a Nursing Assistant position, and state that you have an LVN license but that new grad LVN jobs are tough to get and that you're willing to work as an NA so that they can get to know you and your work ethic and hopefully when there is an opening they may be inclined to consider you for the LVN position. Good luck!

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Specializes in Med/Surg, LTACH, LTC, Home Health.
smartnurse1982 said:
Why are people judging the OP?

What is wrong with making money while looking for a job?

$12/hr is better than $0/hr.

We've all heard about how they're trying to phase out LPNs....I was told this during my LPN training in 1984-85. If what the OP is considering begins to take root, in comes the nails for the coffin, the rope for the hanging, etc.. Word will travel like wildfire that LPNs will only get work as CNAs, eliminating the need to opt for LPN education...phase-out process begins in some areas, expedites in others.

What the masses are saying here, however, is that the OP has already been trained to do CNA work and much more. There is no need to pay twice for training already received. LVN/LPN jobs are out there. Finding one may require stepping out of a comfort zone.

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