Would you work as a CNA or LVN if you could not find work as an RN?

[indigonurse]

In light of the serious shortage of jobs for RN's I was wondering who would be willing to accept employment as an LVN, CNA or caregiver just to stay employed in the field? Instead of being unemployed do you think that this would be better? Do you think that someone would hire you as a CNA or LVN or caregiver if you were an RN?

[caliotter3]

I have worked as a CNA and have met others who have worked as CNAs. If it keeps you from living in your car, fine, but otherwise, I do not recommend it. Another circumstance would be as a second job, if you do not mind the situation. I knew an RN who did quite well in his second job as a CNA in a hospital. But run of the mill CNA jobs in LTC facilities, not unless there was no other way to earn a living.

[Bruce_Wayne, ASN, RN]

I'd imagine you'd have a hard time willing to find somebody that'd hire you on as a CNA or LPN if you had your RN.

Plus if you really were an RN you'd probably get asked to do RN level interventions but you'd be getting paid CNA or LPN money, that'd be bad.

[Orange Tree]

I also think it would be difficult to find someone to hire as RN as a CNA or LVN. Beside the legal issues, the employer would probably not want to hire someone who would take off running as soon as they got offered an RN position at RN wages. They want to hire CNAs that are going to stick around for a while.

[serenity1]

Friends from school that were working as cna's and did not find work after earning their RNwere told they could no longer work as a CNA once they earned their RN. Catch 22--no rn jobs, can't work as cna. Not sure how it is everywhere else.

[WandererRNBSN, BSN]

That's what I thought too. Once you become a RN you can't work as a CNA or LPN/LVN

[LoveMyBugs, BSN, CNA, RN]

I am a RN working as a CNA, I have worked for the hospital for 3 years as a CNA during school.

I have contiuned to work as a CNA while looking for employment as a RN, I have been doing this now for 6 months, I have found work as a RN in flu clinics and am now doing pediatric home health through an agency, but I keep at the hospital with the hopes of someday there will be an opening and I can apply as an internal applicant.

However I am very frusterated working as a CNA, I die a little inside:crying2: it is not what I want to do, I want to be a nurse.

and just the level of respect is different, I did my preceptorship on the same unit and I was treated very differently when I was there as a student nurse vs being there as a CNA.

[kcochrane]

That's what I thought too. Once you become a RN you can't work as a CNA or LPN/LVN

Depends on the state and the facility. For example in NY state you can hold both a RN and LPN license.

To the OP - sure if it meant I could pay the bills, I would work as either.

[ocean waves]

Hello. When I retired from professional nursing due to some significant health changes, I inquired about work in a CNA role at a local nursing home (because I would not be required to do very complex professional tasks such as administering meds). I was shocked when the nursing director kindly explained that even RN's were required by state law to earn certification as a CNA in order to be hired in a CNA role---in order to earn the certification I would have been required to take a CNA training program! Hard to understand the logic on that! Best wishes!

[CloudySky]

In my state it is fine for an RN to work as a CNA. People have bills and you do what you have to. Nursing homes will often put on free CNA classes where you can get certified if that is required.

[DogWmn]

As many posters have said, it will depend on what state you are in most require a CNA to have that certificate - but you might be able to challenge the test without taking the course, however, it get way more trickier with the LPN status, you have to have a license just like an RN to work as an LPN, some states still have ADN programs where you can take the LPN NCLEX after the first year but few choose to. As mentioned there is a whole slew of legal issues involved.

[OCNRN63, RN]

I am a RN working as a CNA, I have worked for the hospital for 3 years as a CNA during school.

I have contiuned to work as a CNA while looking for employment as a RN, I have been doing this now for 6 months, I have found work as a RN in flu clinics and am now doing pediatric home health through an agency, but I keep at the hospital with the hopes of someday there will be an opening and I can apply as an internal applicant.

However I am very frusterated working as a CNA, I die a little inside:crying2: it is not what I want to do, I want to be a nurse.

and just the level of respect is different, I did my preceptorship on the same unit and I was treated very differently when I was there as a student nurse vs being there as a CNA.

This is a heart-breaking situation. I hope you are looking for work elsewhere and not just pinning your hopes on this one facility.