RN to CNA to RN ??!!

I would only think that you would want to get to get a CNA certification if you were desperate to get a job ASAP, if not then you might as well wait until the state gives you an answer. You can work as a CNA with a few months of nursing school under your belt let alone a license in another country.

to rntobe86 -- no i am not desperate to get a job, fact is, i am going to be a volunteer in a skilled nursing facility as i wait for BRN's response

Do you have a social security number that shows you are eligible to work? California requires a valid SS# for licensing. Generally volunteers do not perform nursing skills. the work is more along the line of handing out water pitchers & newspapers, and other busy work.

well i guess i am... i already have a PR card. i'm an immigrant :)

You need to know for sure about the social security number, because you can't get paid without one (for tax purposes). You can't get hired without that :)

If I were you, and I didn't need to work right now, I would not get my CNA certification and work as a CNA. I would be spending my time studying familiarizing myself with the language used in the NCLEX. I have a friend that was a nurse in another country and came to Georgia and failed the NCLEX. She thought she would have been fine not really studying, but that turned out not to be the case.

Also, if you are a lawful permanent resident you need to apply for a social security number if you haven't done so yet. In Georgia, they require your social security card and a government issued ID just to take the CNA exam, so I'm sure you are going to need it eventually to get your RN license to be a nurse in the US.

Were you going to volunteer to familiarize yourself with the hospital? Take advantage of the time you have and study, study, study.

to xtxrn -- i already have an SSN. no need to worry about that.

to StarLite1980 -- yeah, i will volunteer to familiarize myself with the procedures here. thanks for the advice. appreciate it.

I'd like to know if i am eligible to take the CNA exam without joining CNA training course ? I am RN in Philippines and currently holding b1/b2 visa status . otherwise , can i find another job like a caregiver , for example , so that i could change my status to working visa ?