Working below your license

LadysSolo · Feb 1, 2018

When I did agency for awhile, I was asked if I was willing to work as an LPN for RN wages (I am an NP and was working agency extra to pay student loans.) I was willing, as I am capable of working as an LPN, and was not taking any reduction in pay.

NutmeggeRN, BSN · Feb 1, 2018

During the time you're working as an "aide" you're still being paid as an LPN, no?

I'll bet not.

MiAmorPickles · Feb 1, 2018

I worked in a hospital that would use RN's and LVN's as CNA's when the census was low. Saw a new RN quit the day she was assigned to work as a CNA--she was very offended by it. It was hard work and I was always running around like a chicken with its head cut off when I had to do it. Got paid the same salary too which was great because it was a weekend job and I got the weekend shift differential plus weekend plan pay.

allnurses Guide · Feb 1, 2018

True. What I'm talking about is using myself, an LPN, for part of the shift, then an aide because only 1 is assigned for 11p-7 am. The general consensus is "use the LPNs as aides". This was never communicated to me during hiring process. So if I refuse because I don't want anything to happen that would go against my license, can I be fired in a " at will state" .

If you live and work in an "At will" state your employer can let you go anytime for any reason or for no reason at all. By the same token you can quit any time for any reason or no reason at all. You do have to finish whatever shift you are on and it's professional to give notice, but that's the nature of "at will" employment.

That being said there is nothing in a CNA's scope of practice that is not within the scope of practice for LPNs and RNs. I've been a nurse for 20 years and have on occasion been asked to "Work the floor" sit with a 1:1 etc.......As long as I being paid my RN rate I'll do whatever assignment I am given. Still if it bothers you start looking for another job and be sure you ask any future employer about this type of practice before you accept a position. Have you looked at your job description? You should be able to find it through your facilities human resources department.

Also if you are worried about your license please go to your state's BON website and look up the list of suspended and revoked licenses. Then you will know that the common issues that arise when stepping down to a lower level of care are not the kind of things nurses lose their licenses over. Nurses mostly lose their licenses over substance abuse issues, malpractice or deliberate malfeasance. Still if you are that worried buy yourself a malpractice insurance policy.

Hppy

happ09 · Feb 1, 2018

Yes. Reporting off to the other RNs on my patients and being used as an aide because only 1 was assigned for 11p-7am shift for 32 patients in a rehabilitation center

lifelearningrn, BSN, RN · Feb 1, 2018

Yes. Reporting off to the other RNs on my patients and being used as an aide because only 1 was assigned for 11p-7am shift for 32 patients in a rehabilitation center

Are you being paid the same either way?

BBP42 · Feb 1, 2018

I worked at a SNF as a RN shift supervisor, and was always the first to volunteer for the "nurse working as CNA" spot. And that was with generally a 16 patient assignment unless census was low. I got paid my full RN pay, about 3X what the CNAs were making, and had so much more time with the patients and so much less overall responsibility, I loved it! Anything that came up, pt requesting PRNs, family wants to speak to the supervisor, all those little hassles, I could go tell the nurse working as a nurse and move on with patient care. I always thought it was pretty stupid of the facility though. They could offer one of the regular CNAs double pay to take the shift as extra and save money. But hey, I don't make the business decisions.

guest940422 · Feb 1, 2018

I'm an RN and I've worked as a secretary, a tech, a phlebotomist, and a sitter when they were desperate before. It helps that I spent most of my career on nights where we didn't have those resources so I was the only RN who knew how to use the computer system in those roles. It can be annoying, but i'll clean the toilets as long as my pay rate doesn't change. If they want to drop my pay rate, we have a problem. But if they are going to pay me for my license to work below my pay grade bring it.

As long as you aren't doing anything outside your scope of practice (which as long as you are working below your license wouldn't be the case) you're in the clear.

Mr_Edwino · Feb 1, 2018

I met a physician who was working as a CNA (and enjoyed it) all throughout med school and while he was finishing up his boards. It is legal, although, he absolutely could not practice as a physician for obvious reasons.

BrandonLPN, LPN · Feb 2, 2018

They should have told you they do this when you interviewed for the job.

I had a LPN job where we were used as aides when staffing required, but we were told so flat out from the get-go.

guest940422 · Feb 2, 2018

They should have told you they do this when you interviewed for the job.
I had a LPN job where we were used as aides when staffing required, but we were told so flat out from the get-go.

I worked at a large hospital that laid off all their LVNs when they went Magnet

(to be clear there were LVNs this happened to who could run circles around me and I was pissed about this as were most of the RN staff)

Some of the lifers who where close to retirement were aloud to stay on and perform CNA duties, they couldn't take patients, which was a slap in the face, but they didn't take pay cuts or loose their vested 401K matching. The situation was ******. The hospital acted like they were doing some kind of favor for them when really they were discarding decades of experience and service.

Wannabenurseneko · Feb 2, 2018

I've actually seen a few jobs doing this when I was looking for CNA jobs online ,and I'm wondering myself if it's legal myself .