LPN - can they force me to do this?

FolksBtrippin, BSN, RN · Sep 22, 2015

You are an LPN. They can't take that away from you. You don't stop being an LPN just because they change your job description.

Wherever you work, you will be an LPN. Even if you decide to wait tables, you will be an LPN waiting tables.

Essentially what they are doing is lowering your pay. Which means they are effectively laying you off and offering you a new job with diminished pay and diminished responsibilities.

They can't just lower your pay and change your job duties unilaterally. That is at least breach of contract and probably worse than that.

I would take the layoff and collect unemployment while I looked for another job. i would be clear with them. I understand you are laying me off and offering me another position for less pay. I don't accept your new offer. Thanks and goodbye. Then move on.

lindarn · Sep 22, 2015

Thinning the herd- Darwin.

Lindarn, RN, BSN, CCRN, (ret)

Somewhere in the PACNW

BuckyBadgerRN, ASN, RN · Sep 24, 2015

In most states there is no licensure for cna's. You, as an lpn, are qualified to do everything a cna is so that is a moot point.

Please can someone help me. I have an important question. I am currently an LPN in New Jersey. The facility i work for told me today that i had to work there as a CNA because my unit closed down. Is this legal and can they force me to do this? I have been an LPN for 19 years, i started out as a CNA but i no longer have a CNA license. I would appreciate anyone who has an answer for me. Thanks so much

payitforward · Sep 24, 2015

Unless they are changing your scope of practice, or your pay then yes you can do it. My

facility has been short some CNA/GNAs and they asked if we(nurses) would come in and work

as a CNA/GNA even just for a few hours. You know what? I said yes. Why? I'm not above doing direct

patient care and they are paying me as a NURSE, so yes I will do it. It looks good for you because it shows

that you are a team player. Sometimes I don't want to do "Nurse" jobs, and for me, doing direct patient care is a break.

Don't look at it like a punishment!

Doodlebug21, RN · Sep 25, 2015

Yes, it is legal for them to tell you to work as a CNA but keep in mind the state holds you to your highest license. You are held to LPN expectations while having the cna job. It's a sticky situation and really not worth the mess if something were to hit the fan. Good luck!

imintrouble, BSN, RN · Sep 27, 2015

Thinning the herd- Darwin.
Lindarn, RN, BSN, CCRN, (ret)
Somewhere in the PACNW

LPN, ADN RN, Old, fat, ugly, opinionated, vocal, .......

allnurses Guide · Sep 27, 2015

Please can someone help me. I have an important question. I am currently an LPN in New Jersey. The facility i work for told me today that i had to work there as a CNA because my unit closed down. Is this legal and can they force me to do this? I have been an LPN for 19 years, i started out as a CNA but i no longer have a CNA license. I would appreciate anyone who has an answer for me. Thanks so much

This is America and guess what in spite of all the employment law out there and employer can tell an employee to do just about anything unless it has to do with a person's race, religion, sexual orientation etc..... It is not uncommon for LTC's to have LVNs work as aides when census is low or a unit closes. They cannot reduce your pay to CNA wage. I realize CNA is back breaking (Been there done that) but might be better than being laid off due to a unit closure and reduction of force lay-offs. (Can you survive on unemployment? You can accept or refuse to take the assignment. I would guess that your job description mentions this possibility. The fact is that even an RN can be asked to do hands on patient care tasks normally done by CNA. There is nothing in the CNAs scope of practice that is not in an LVN or RN scope of practice.

You have a choice to make which is if you like the place accept the assignment until the unit reopens or census goes up or while you look for another job. The other option is of course to resign your positon and look for another job.

That's all there is to it.

Hppy