Please need advice, New Grad RN from CA

[pusangirl]

Hi,

I have been really enjoying reading some great advices in allnurses community, so I am posting a question to get some insights.

I graduated in June 2008 from Oregon and got my RN license in July 2008. We moved to CA last year and I have CA RN license , but I have not been able to find a job in Northern CA Bay area. It has been really hard looking for a job for so long and not being able to find a job. I just got so exhausted looking for a job and I am wondering if I will be able to ever practice nursing.

Here are my questions.

1. I had a CNA license from Oregon but I did not renewed it since I got my RN license last year. So I am thinking about getting CA CNA license so that I can start work part time while still looking for RN position. I have CNA work experience. However, I read on internet that facilities will not hire RN to work as CNA, Is this true?

How can I find out if this is the case? I do not want to have to go through steps to get CNA license and not being able to find job.

2. Is there a some type of nurse shadowing or preceptorship program that I can join in bay area ca? I am getting worried that I am really losing my nursing skills since it has been more than a year. Chico University is offering a preceptorship for nursing students and new rn graduate in rural area, but it still cost money and I have 2 kids so I can not pack up and go away for the program.

Thank you so much for listening and hope to hear from you.

[mlok]

1. I had a CNA license from Oregon but I did not renewed it since I got my RN license last year. So I am thinking about getting CA CNA license so that I can start work part time while still looking for RN position. I have CNA work experience. However, I read on internet that facilities will not hire RN to work as CNA, Is this true?

How can I find out if this is the case? I do not want to have to go through steps to get CNA license and not being able to find job.

I can only answer your first question. I am a new grad RN and have applied to several CNA and LVN positions. After not hearing back from HR, I called and asked if I could be hired for one of these positions and wait until one of their new grad positions opens up. The nurse recruiter told me RNs at not allowed to work as CNAs or LVNs due to their higher scope of practice. She said it was liability issues. I got this information from a recruiter at Scripps Healthcare. I don't know about other facilities so you should really check. But there are places where you can get your CNA training for free. You would have to pay for the cost of background check and testing fee though. Good luck.

[carolinapooh, BSN, RN]

I cannot imagine that someone with an RN license would have to pay for CNA training, since you're qualified to sit a CNA cert exam after one semester in nursing school.

I also doubt that a fully qualified RN can work as a CNA - be hired in a CNA position.

[locolorenzo22, BSN, RN]

nope, as a RN with a active license, you are held to the RN scope of practice...can't work as a CNA.

[pusangirl]

Thank you all for the helpful information.

One of my biggest concern is that I am losing my RN skills since my last clinical was last year in May just prior to my graduation. Any recommendations or thoughts? It would be really nice to have some type of preceptorship at the hospital but I guess that is reserved for the nursing students.

Thanks again.