New Grad BSN, RN, PHN, EMT and can’t find work. Legality of working as a CNA?

[oceanhugger]

Hi all,

I graduated with my BSN in December 2018, got my RN and PHN in April 2019, and six months out and have only had one interview offer and (I WISH that I were exaggerating) over 80 rejection emails. I also have my BLS, ACLS, and PALS... with NRP on the way. It has become apparent to me that I’m not qualified for the competitive new grad job market in San Diego and possibly California.

I’ve been rejected from SNFs and Home Health agencies because I don’t have at least a year of experience. I’ve applied to prisons, schools, camps, amusement parks, and more. I’ve applied all over the state of california at even smaller non-hospital facilities for both RN 1 positions and new grad positions. I need to make ends meet. Yes, I’m depressed about it but I’m still working hard at it - filling out at least one new app every other day and studying for further certifications in the mean time. I’m filling out each job app and writing new cover letters that are very customized to the facility and city that I’m applying to.

Bills are stacking up and my student loans have gone into repayment... and not all of them can be deferred or reduced income based repayment.

So, now I’m on to plan B. It has been over six months out from graduation. Except for one hospital that I haven’t given up on, there are no more new grad cohorts for me to apply to in my city (San Diego) that would start within one year of me graduating. I don’t have the experience to apply to any local facilities for non-new grad RN 1 positions. So, I’m hoping that I wouldn’t be considered as someone looking to just get into internal hiring for new grad considerations. As of today, I’m going to apply everywhere LOCALLY for CNA/LVN/EDTech spots. I’m placing emphasis on local because I would relocate anywhere in the state of CA for an RN position, but I wouldn’t relocate for a CNA/LVN/EDTech position.

Does anybody know of any San Diego facilities will hire an RN in a CNA/LVN/EDTech role? I’m also applying to work in EMT positions on local ambulances. What is the legality of working in those roles as an RN? I just want to know what I’m getting myself into here and what I need to do to protect my RN license. Thanks!

- Broker than broke, BSN, RN, PHN, EMT (useless nominals at this point)

[Golden_RN, MSN]

Do you have certification as a CNA or licensure as an LVN?

Another idea is looking for an RN job with the state. Corrections has at least 1 location in San Diego. CA Dept of Veterans Affairs has a facility in Chula Vista.

The CA Dept of Developmental Services also has 2 facilities with acute, SNF levels of care (in Riverside & Orange Counties, I believe). If you are willing to relocate, there is also the Dept of State Hospitals.

[caliotter3]

6 minutes ago, Oldmahubbard said:

In my state, you cannot just work in any role, even if it a lower level of education.

I am only an NP, and an RN. I can't work as an LPN, or a CNA. I never had the training.

I think you should give up the idea that someone will hire you in these roles. They won't.

In the past, it was a lot easier for RNs to get jobs as a CNA. I knew several who held a full time job as an RN in one facility, and a full time job as a CNA in another facility (usually where a CNA got a decent salary in comparison). However, lately, employers have been shying away from this practice, partly because of litigation issues. I think you are better off spending your time casting your RN net further away from home until someone hires you as an RN to do RN duties at RN pay. JMO

[Oldmahubbard]

4 minutes ago, caliotter3 said:

In the past, it was a lot easier for RNs to get jobs as a CNA. I knew several who held a full time job as an RN in one facility, and a full time job as a CNA in another facility (usually where a CNA got a decent salary in comparison). However, lately, employers have been shying away from this practice, partly because of litigation issues. I think you are better off spending your time casting your RN net further away from home until someone hires you as an RN to do RN duties at RN pay. JMO

Probably not in the last 20 years.

[oceanhugger, BSN, RN, EMT-B]

21 minutes ago, caliotter3 said:

You can not put LVN or CNA on your applications because you do not hold those credentials. The state of CA took away the CNA certificates from all RNs and LVNs who held the certificate back in 1994. Now if you want to apply for a CNA job you have to disclose that you are doing so as an RN and, of course, you are held to the higher standards of the RN license should a problem arise. You can not just walk out of a room telling yourself, "I am just the CNA here, I have no responsibility." You have to report to the RN that something requires their attention, etc.

Thank you - this is more along the lines of the information that I was looking for. So, if say an IV looks extravasated, as an RN I’m supposed to stop the infusion. As a CNA, if I got hired as a CNA, would I be allowed to stop it? If I left the room to inform the RN, would I be in trouble as an RN for not stopping the IV before going to get the RN?

[oceanhugger, BSN, RN, EMT-B]

22 minutes ago, Golden_RN said:

Do you have certification as a CNA or licensure as an LVN?

Another idea is looking for an RN job with the state. Corrections has at least 1 location in San Diego. CA Dept of Veterans Affairs has a facility in Chula Vista.

The CA Dept of Developmental Services also has 2 facilities with acute, SNF levels of care (in Riverside & Orange Counties, I believe). If you are willing to relocate, there is also the Dept of State Hospitals.

I am certified as an EMT. Would I be able to work as an EMT any longer or is my EMT certification now invalid as an RN? I was hoping that I could still pursue ambulance jobs at the very least.

Yes, I have applied to corrections.

[Oldmahubbard]

Yes you can work as an EMT if you have a valid license.

Internet urban legends astound me.

[Golden_RN, MSN]

12 minutes ago, oceanhugger said:

I am certified as an EMT. Would I be able to work as an EMT any longer or is my EMT certification now invalid as an RN? I was hoping that I could still pursue ambulance jobs at the very least.

Yes, I have applied to corrections.

I found this on the CA BRN about someone holding both RN/LVN licensure. It's very old but still posted on their website. There's a phone # listed that may have more info from you (if it's still valid! Like I said, it's very old!).

https://www.rn.ca.gov/pdfs/regulations/npr-i-02.pdf

As for working as an EMT, I think that's a question for either the BRN and whoever licenses EMTs (DHS?).

[oceanhugger, BSN, RN, EMT-B]

Thank you everybody for you input. I’m not really trying to discuss job opportunities as an RN outside of new grad programs. What I’m looking for is a financial tie-over job in the meantime.

I am now in agreeance that it would be wrong for me to work as an LVN or CNA for certification and litigation issues.

I am going to look into working as an EMT now and hope that I can find a job via that route. Thank you all! Now... how do I close a topic on AllNurses?

[oceanhugger, BSN, RN, EMT-B]

2 minutes ago, Golden_RN said:

I found this on the CA BRN about someone holding both RN/LVN licensure. It's very old but still posted on their website.

https://www.rn.ca.gov/pdfs/regulations/npr-i-02.pdf

As for working as an EMT, I think that's a question for either the BRN and whoever licenses EMTs (DHS?).

Thank you! That is a great find! I’ll take that into consideration and see if I can find anything more up to date to see if that still currently holds. LVN pay would be much preferred to that of an EMT.

EMTs are certified by the state of california office of emergency services. Each county and employer then affiliates the EMT to their service.

[Monkey Nurse, ASN, RN]

Have you applied to VA? Are you willing to travel and stay somewhere during the week? What are you prepared to do? I left my area after 6 months of no job leads. i was really discouraged. I went to https://www.3rnet.org/ a rural recruitment website and got offers for more rural jobs that way. I didn't care so long as I got to work!

[Monkey Nurse, ASN, RN]

https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/526562100

Winterhaven, Ca is near Yuma, AZ. Bit of a drive or bit of a move but maybe keep your eye on the federal job worksights.

[oceanhugger, BSN, RN, EMT-B]

37 minutes ago, Monkey Nurse said:

Have you applied to VA? Are you willing to travel and stay somewhere during the week? What are you prepared to do? I left my area after 6 months of no job leads. i was really discouraged. I went to https://www.3rnet.org/ a rural recruitment website and got offers for more rural jobs that way. I didn't care so long as I got to work!

I applied to a VA position for a second round the other day! I’m keeping my hopes up and my fingers crossed! Thanks for the website to the rural recruitment website! I’ll take a look at it! ❤️