RN working as CNA2

[suzem]

Hi all,

I am an ADN, currently working in a LTC setting (skilled unit). I am returning to school in the fall to pursue my Bachelor's degree. In the meantime I am considering taking a job as a CNA2 in the hospital setting so that I can get some hospital experience, as my goal is to work in acute care.

Oregon has a severe nursing job shortage for inexperienced nurses, and I am skeptical that even with a Bachelor's degree that I will be able to find a job in acute care.

I have been looking at the local hospital job listings, and some say that they will consider CNA2 experience in a hospital setting as a requisite for some jobs. NO one is accepting LTC experience as valid work experience that I have seen.

My dilemma is that I feel that if I stay in my current position, I will get more relevant nursing experience, and I am afraid that working as a CNA2, I will lose my nursing skills. At least now I am doing assessments, medication administration, some IVs, some wound care, etc.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!!!

[caliotter3]

Any way you could do both? I would not give up your current job for a CNA2 job, unless the pay and benefits are better, even though it would help in the long run. I have known RNs who work an RN job in LTC and a CNA job in a hospital.

[AgentBeast, BSN, RN]

Check with your State Board of Nursing, but in most states you can't work as a CNA with an RN license due to the conflict of interest. You usually can't work below the level of your license, but I've been know to be wrong.

[NurseLoveJoy88, ASN, RN]

I would check with the facility and the BON. I recently tried to get a job in the hospital as a LPN to work as a PCT. The HR clerk initially told me it was not an issue however I later found out that I'm not allowed to work as a PCT while having a nursing license.

[merlee]

The issue is that you are always held to your highest level of education. So even though you will be paid like an aide, and will need to work in the capacity of an aide, you will be held to the intellectual capacity of an RN.

Very scary. I don't think I would do it.

[punkydoodlesRN, BSN, RN]

1) I always thought that was a no-no. Can't work below your license. I work with a nurse who let his NP go because he just wanted to be a floor nurse again. Couldn't do that and still hold his NP license. Seems the same to me.

2) What's a CNA2?? Hows that different from a CNA?

[wintersantanaRN]

Have you tried home health agencies, or something non clinical until you find a RN position. I agree with the other posters working below you license is a little unsafe to me.

[LoveMyBugs, BSN, CNA, RN]

I worked in Oregon as a CNA2 for 8 months in the ED while I was an RN looking for my 1st full time RN job, took me 8 months to find it across the river in Vancouver.

So are you currently an RN wanting to work as a CNA2? I don't know if anyone would hire you to do that, I was able to because I never left my CNA job while in nursing school, and after I worked part time as a CNA2 while hoping my hospital would have positions and part time as a RN (home health), I wonder if someone would have reservations hiring a RN to work as a CNA.

Where are these jobs that you are seeing that say CNA acute care counts as hospital experience for a RN job!?!! I haven't seen those, I would love it if my CNA2 experience counted, the only place where it did was for a home health agency

[Moogie]

By the time you finish your BSN the job market might have changed significantly, making it easier for you to find a job in acute care. You're going to have your hands full with your current job and school; I would not take a second job at this time unless you could do per diem as an RN in acute care.

[Whispera, MSN, RN]

If you're willing to work for the pay a CNA2 gets, see if you can negotiate getting the job but being hired as an RN rather than a CNA. That way you eliminate some of the problems that are in doing it otherwise.

[suzem]

I worked in Oregon as a CNA2 for 8 months in the ED while I was an RN looking for my 1st full time RN job, took me 8 months to find it across the river in Vancouver.

So are you currently an RN wanting to work as a CNA2? I don't know if anyone would hire you to do that, I was able to because I never left my CNA job while in nursing school, and after I worked part time as a CNA2 while hoping my hospital would have positions and part time as a RN (home health), I wonder if someone would have reservations hiring a RN to work as a CNA.

Where are these jobs that you are seeing that say CNA acute care counts as hospital experience for a RN job!?!! I haven't seen those, I would love it if my CNA2 experience counted, the only place where it did was for a home health agency

I have primarily seen that stated on job postings for Oregon Health and Science University.

[LoveMyBugs, BSN, CNA, RN]

I have primarily seen that stated on job postings for Oregon Health and Science University.

I have applied to over 100+ applications at OHSU and have 3years as a CNA2 in the ED/critical care have ACLS and PALS. If you are thinking to go back and work as a CNA2 to get into them, I would stick with your RN job and get the BSN.

I have friends that have been hired on at OHSU, 3 were hired because that is the unit they did thier practicum in and the internships opened up right as we graduated, the others were hired because they knew someone on the unit who really advocated for them.

The feeling I am getting from all the Portland area hositals is you need to have your BSN first before they will even consider you. I know Adventist dosn't require a BSN, but they require 1-2 years expereince