Questions about CNA, LVN and RN's

[bgoodman]

If hospitals dont hire LVN's why do they put this in a job ad for a CNA position.

Current California CN Certificate or current enrollment in (having completed the first semester/quarter) of an accredited RN or LVN School of Nursing, or a graduate of an accredited RN or LVN School of Nursing

So if your an LVN, you would have a chance at getting this job? I must not be reading this right or something! Cause why would an LVN want to work as a CNA?

Theres alot of positions for CNA's here at this particular hospital.

What do CNA's at hospitals do? From what I have heard, doing cna work in a hospital is better than in ltc...

Im still on the fence on what I should go for LVN-RN...

Theres many factors that is making it hard for me to decide.

But it doesnt seem like anyone wats to answer my questions...Maybe all you nurses are all working and dont have the time???

That would be good! LOL

I still think that I would enjoy working in LTC or something similar. Theres less critical patients, more repitition and routine.

In hospital theres more critical thinking, fast paced and seriousness work environment.

Am I right in defining these two feilds of nursing?

I also am in a pickle on the program at the CC.

LVN-1 year long, but 2 yr waitlist. I can get the pre-reqs done pretty fast though.

RN-2 yrs long, you have to take a test first to see the probability of being successful in the ADN program. Then if you pass you get put in a lottery. The pre-reqs are a little much though, kinda scared of that so I think those will take me some time.

I am confusing myself on this so much, that I have said "screw it" I'll just start taking the pre-reqs, starting with the lvn ones, once I finish, I will apply to the lvn program and wait. While waiting start taking the pre-reqs for the RN program. And if I havnt gotten into the lvn program by the time Im done, then I'll apply for the RN program, and whichever one I get into first is what I'll choose.

Does this sound like a good plan.

I know some you may say, "well if your goal is to be a RN, just go straight for RN.

The problem with that is I dont know if I WANT to be an RN. idk......

Anyways, thanks for listening. LOL

[NurseCubanitaRN2b, BSN, RN]

Most hospitals don't hire LVN/LPN, but it's not safe to say that ALL hospitals don't hire them. If the hospital is primary care then it's all RNs period. In CA for primary care it's usually around 4-5 pts per one RN, but the RN does everything from cleaning poop to giving IV meds. If you have a heavy load then you will have to find another RN to help you with your patient load. LVNs in the hospitals that I've been at do everything that a CNA does along with their own duties like giving pain medication, doing follow up assessments after the RN does their initial assessments. So the LVN basically does the follow up care for the RN and the RN is free to do their work load.

If your goal is to be a RN then telling to go straight for your RN might not always be possible. My goal was to go straight to the RN but the programs here are rediculously impacted that I ended up with my LVN first because that was the first program that accepted me. I'm still waiting for a LVN-RN program to accept me. It's scary because those are now becoming few and far between. Those are also becoming impacted. Yes, you can always do your RN after your LVN and there's nothing wrong with being a LVN because we are nurses too. So you do what you feel is comfortable for you. Good Luck

[caliotter3]

An employer would love to get an LVN to work for CNA pay. That is why they put that in the ad.

[bgoodman]

Yes, the Lvn-RN bridge at the CC here, is also based on a lottery system! AND the pre-reqs, and general ed classes are all the same, PLUS they will want you to have been working as an LVN for a year! So if someone was going to this CC, and they KNEW that they wanted to be an RN, than it would be stupid to not go straight for it! Its kinda crazy. And my big problem is, that I dont really know if I want to be an RN.

But anyways, I thought I seen something here on online bridge programs, but I havent really looked into it too much.

I also tryed mapping out the class days and times for both the LVN and RN programs offered at the CC here, and it seems that the RN program is less demanding in that aspect!? But the pre-reqs......UGH!!

I think I would really like working in LTC, assisted living.....but the nnurse-patient ratios are scary! But Im sure it cant be like that EVERYWHERE right? I have never looked into these facilities here in my hometown so I dont know. I thought I read on this board somewhere that the LTCs are different in Cali. That theres a law on patient-nurse ratio...But maybe Im wrong, cause I have also heard that Cali was the worst place to be a nurse, especially So Cali.

Does anyone have any input on this?

[Louleen]

What happens if the hospital violates the staffing ratio?

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

What happens if the hospital violates the staffing ratio?

Nothing's been happening, because under Arnold Schwarzenegger's rule, the hospitals have not been penalized for violating staffing ratios.