Possible to Work as a CNA without State license?

[noni06]

I got my CNA certification about a year ago but I never used. I'm in Nursing school now, started my clinicals last fall. I'm taking fundamentals of Nursing this semester. I want to get a job in a hospital or a LTC facility to get Nursing experience and earn some money.

I have called a few hospitals and they all wanted State license, which I'm planing on taking the State test in a couple of weeks.

I was wondering if it was possible to get a job as a CNA or other patient related type of jobs in a LTC facility while waiting to take the State test.

Is any of you working as CNAs without the State license?

[texasboi]

I'm taking my license in Houston in the next couple of weeks.

Does anyone know where I can work specifically by name in the downtown/galleria/ timbergrove/ greenway areas without my license first? I need extra income for weekends and am just moving to Houston and know nobody in this field.

Everytime I send an email or call a hospital or LTR facility I'm not getting any response and the response i do get is to get your license but I KNOW there are places that hire you without a license too...I plan on getting my license but don't know where to work in the meantime.

Someone please help, thanks

I'll be living in zip 77008 and will work weekends anywheres 20 minutes or less away.

I have a Memorial Hermann right down the block but being a hospital I figure no shot or am I wrong?

Where does one go for mentors in Houston so I know someone in the field and will be advised properly of what certifications I should get and keep getting for more dollars and better jobs until I get my RN.

Thank you all

[MurrR]

From what I know you could probably be a "caregiver" but you have to keep in mind what your scope of practice would be and if that's what the hospitals or LTC's are looking for at that moment. I have some friends who are going for recert's and working as caregivers in nursing homes right now and will probably have to look for new employment as CNA's when they get licensed again. You will proably have to contact your BoN to see what you can do depending on the state you live in as I know some states you can work for a while as a nurses assistant granted you will be getting your license in a given time frame.

Actually, I have a current CNA license and work as a caregiver where I do things outside my CNA scope of practice. Since I wasn't hired as a CNA, and since my position doesn't require a license, it's *like* being unlicensed all over again. This is what I was told when I called the Oregon Board of Nursing and spoke to *** who is the head of the CNA department there.

They could probably keep their jobs if their state(s) has the same set up, but it would be an excellent idea to call the BON in that state and double-check.

So, can you work as a CNA without a license? No. Can you perform many of the same job duties in another position or under a different title? Most certainly, and without a license or even any experience.

P.S. I should be clear, at work I do not call myself a CNA or even a Nurse's Aide. At work I am a Direct Support Professional, DSP.