CouId possibly work as an CNA w/RN license?

Nurses Retired

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I live in CA and have been looking for an entry-level position as a Registered Nurse. I graduated 2yrs ago, passed NCLEX, but for personal reasons was unable to work right away. I then had my daughter and have been a stay at home mom since. I'm looking to finally getting into my career as an RN but have been unable to even land an interview. With financial struggles, a good refresher course w/clinical is not an option at the moment. I was thinking...is it possible to apply for a job as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) with my RN license or would I have to be CNA certified as well???

CA took away the CNA certificates of licensed nurses years ago. You can get hired as a CNA with your RN license by an employer willing to do so. Of course, you know that you will be held to the practice standards of an RN for legal purposes and many employers do not hire RNs for CNA positions to avoid legal problems. Good luck.

That really bites, yeah you should be fine with your RN for CNA positions

I would also check with your board of nursing to verify liability (RN vs CNA).

I live in Arizona, have an LPN license and will be an RN by June. I checked with our AZ Board of Nursing in the event that I will have to work as an LPN. I was given written confirmation by email that I can practice as an LPN, but that in an emergent situation that I would have to step up to the RN level.

Even though it would cost money, have you considered doing an RN refresher course? This would get you back into the swing of things and maybe make you a little more marketable.

Specializes in Intermediate care.

You might be able to just take the test for certification. Not postive though, you'll have to check on that.

I live in Wisconsin and our testing out is written and skills section.

I would still review it though because there is a lot of really picky things that are always changing.

thats so sad. :(

try volunteering at a hospital to get to know people. speak to managers, be friendly with the nurses, and they can tell you about anyone that's hiring. i did that, and got offered many jobs as a cna, but turned them down because it conflicted with my school schedule. but i think you'd have to take the cna exam to be considered a cna, and i think most hospitals allow 2nd semester nursing students to be CNAs, so it basically depends on which hospital you want to work for. as for RNs wanting to be CNA, they probably won't hire you, because they think that once you see a RN position open up, youll take that and leave the cna position. that's what one of the nurses told me, and that it's too much of a risk to hire someone whos that over qualified for the position.

Specializes in cardiac/education.

Hey there,:redbeathe

Well, I don't really have any good advice for you. I am in the same boat. But I graduated 4 yrs ago and stayed at home to have/raise babies. Now the prospect of even a part time job has proved daunting! The economy sucks. No one will touch me as a new grad RN so, just to get your foot back in the door, you want to apply for CNA/LPN jobs, but they won't touch you in those either. It really was a death sentence for me to leave right after graduating, or at least it sure feels like it. That said, I really haven't even considered going back as an RN until I take a refresher course but would have liked to get back in to the hospital in some capacity till then. Now I am considering just going back to school and working my way through an advanced degree while I continue to stay at home. I just don't know what to do either!! Even with a refresher, we still look less appealing than a new grad! So my answer so far has been get an advanced degree and hope that in a few years, the field of nursing will have it's mojo back and we can actually GET A JOB!

Have you had any progress?? I've even tried applying for NON nursing positions just for some extra $$$ but then you are overqualified and that employer wonders why a NURSE would want to work here! Jeez, you can't win!

All the best to you!:up:

Specializes in Med/Surg - E.R. - Pediatrics.

In my opinion..

I was a CNA, I am a LVN.... I'm unemployed right now, I have considered going back as a ER EMT.

In your situation I dont see where a CNA would help you land a job as a RN.... BUT... I would think a EMT or even a LVN position would better your situation.

I don't see why you could not work as a CNA ... in fact... many "CNA" are actualy "NA" as they are not certified. But when an employer looks at you for a LVN position or even the CNA... they might consider you OVER Qualified....

Thus, they might assume that you will not be staying long, and no employer wants to "train" a person to have them leave in a few short months.

Specializes in peds palliative care and hospice.

I know of at least two states sthat do not allow RNs to work as CNAs....you have to function at your highest licensed level.

Good luck

Specializes in Med/Surg - E.R. - Pediatrics.
I know of at least two states sthat do not allow RNs to work as CNAs....you have to function at your highest licensed level.

Good luck

No kidding ? is California one of those states ?

No kidding ? is California one of those states ?

No. CA allows RNs to work as CNAs, but CA no longer allows an RN or LVN to hold a CNA certificate. You have to present your nursing license to get a job as a CNA.

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