What jobs are there for a BS nursing degree but no license?

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What can someone do if they fail nclex. For the time being, what jobs can they do? Can they do CNA without getting certified? What about med tech?

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Here in MA, you can work as a CNA (actually labelled 'Student Nurse' I believe) even before you graduate provided you have a letter from the chair person stated you've worked 'x' number of clinical hours. I just got my letter stating as such and will be looking soon...But I think I'm also going to go for the CNA license (through Red Cross) as well. The only problem is that although the written part appears somewhat easy (given a number of sample questions I've seen), there's a physical part of the test as well - and while we've done some of these in lab, there are some (such as range of motion excercises) that we have not. We were supposed to be taught last semester - so I wonder if there are resources to learn or watch such techniques. They also want you to bring a friend as an 'actor' as well as a few items such as toothbrushes, etc (and I'll have to relearn that 'making an occupied' bed thing we learned last year:-))

But I digress - so my point is that you can do CNA work with a letter from the school and you can go take the CNA test from Red Cross without having to shell out the $800 or whatever to take their course. It's $93 to take the test.

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In my state at least, you can work as a "Graduate Nurse" for 6 months after you graduate. Basically gives you time to pass NCLEX.

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Once you have tested and failed, you can no longer work on an interim permit in my state. You would be required to get a CNA certificate to work as a CNA. The BSN without a license would not do you much good. It would only raise the question as to why you aren't seeking work as a registered nurse. You need to get a CNA certificate and get to work as well as get yourself together and continue to work on getting your RN license.

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Specializes in Psych ICU, addictions.

Depends on the state. Mine will let you work as a GN for up to 90 days before you have to pass the NCLEX; if you fail, you can't work as a GN anymore.

You may be able to work as a aide/tech/CNA (and in my state you need certification for the CNA; the other two don't require any). But keep in mind that a lot of places won't hire you for those positions because they know that once you pass the NCLEX you'll be trying to get out of there as fast as you can. And some states/facilties won't let RNAs work in aide positions because of liability and scope of practice issues.

Good luck.

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Specializes in Gerontology, nursing education.

Moved to Graduate Nurse Forum to elicit more responses.

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Specializes in Maternal-Fetal.
Once you have tested and failed, you can no longer work on an interim permit in my state. You would be required to get a CNA certificate to work as a CNA. The BSN without a license would not do you much good. It would only raise the question as to why you aren't seeking work as a registered nurse. You need to get a CNA certificate and get to work as well as get yourself together and continue to work on getting your RN license.

I believe the same applies for my state (Virginia) as well. I know you can work as a Patient Care Tech (basically a CNA) while enrolled in school, but I don't believe you can seek out a CNA-type job after the fact.

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Specializes in Med-Swing/Rehab.

from experience of a former classmate - after you graduate nursing school you can work as a graduate nurse for up to six months after you graduate. if you take the nclex within this time frame (of course!!!!!) and fail - you are not able to work as a graduate nurse or a cna. you may work as a cna if you previously held a cna license, however. that is what happened to a girl who was in my nursing program. she passed the second time around though!

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