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

DNS on the go · Dec 25, 2010

If your a new RN and do not have a job, by all means work as a CNA or a LPN, tech, whatever. Its a foot in the door and a paycheck. Work is work. In the 1990's I worked with many aides and LPN who were RN but could not get a job. Nursing goes through boom and bust periods. Eventually, the job market will open up again...it will just take time. Do what you have to do. No one will hold it against you to be working at a lower level...Your working and thats what counts. I have been in nursing long enough to see the peaks and the valleys of the nursing job market. Today is bad, even for the experienced and credentialed nurse but time has a way of opening up doors and opportunities. I just want to add, that I know numerous NP's who are working as bedside staff RN's due to the lack of jobs. It is sad, but in NYC there is a major glut in NP's. Even geriatric NP which is geared to well elderly visits/care in SNF does not have opening. From what I have heard, even the drug store based clinics have all the NP's they need. I think, the projected need for nursing personnel at all levels may have been overly optomistic and the graduates of this training (CNA, LPN, RN, NP) are the ones who have to wait until the market sorts out who will make into the profession and who will have to go else where. In my opinion, nursing is becoming alot like other hot, in demand professions so entry now is going to be difficult but not impossible. Get your foot in the door, meet people and wait for an opportunity. Good Luck and Merry Christmas.

mentalhealthRN · Dec 25, 2010

Not sure if they allow it here in NY but I wouldn't do it. That's just me. There are other jobs I would rather do. and BTW--I am in Rochester NY and the hospitals in my area are posting for a good number of RN jobs.....if you would be able/willing to move.

NJMike · Dec 25, 2010

In light of the shortage of jobs for new grad RNs there is nothing wrong in doing CNA or LPN work until you get an RN job. I guess you have to clear it with your BON. I know of two recent new grads working as CNA's in hospitals although they have passed nclex. They are job hunting for RN positions while paying their bills with the CNA job.

LoveMyBugs, BSN, CNA, RN · Dec 26, 2010

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

I have applied basically everywhere, even Alaska. It is hard, one hospital had an internship, 40 spots, and interviewed 540 people.

One health care system, I think I finally annoyed them enough because I keep applying to every open RN position (they say 1 year experience preferred) so I apply and after about 200 apps in 5 states someone from HR sent me an email to only apply to jobs that are for interns or resident as that is only how they will hire a new grad.....and I keep applying :lol2:

another place had 1 full time position and interviewd 100 people. My odds are getting better, I just had an interview for my state run mental health hospital, they have 3 spots and only interivewed 30 people so..fingers are crossed, should know in a few weeks

pers · Dec 26, 2010

If I needed to work as a CNA to pay the bills I wouldn't hesitate to do it. It's not my first choice, even in healthcare (I'd much rather be a secretary or telemetry tech) but if I were actively looking for an RN position, being in the healthcare field is better than not in my opinion.

When I was in school, tons of new grads worked as CNAs while looking for RN positions, it was very common. As for being asked to do RN tasks, it's unlikely you'll have access to anything above what a CNA can do aside from an assessment. And if you see a patient in trouble, I would hope that you'd alert the nurse (and if the nurse doesn't care move it up the chain of command if the situation calls for it). My facility doesn't give CNAs the same level of access as they do LPNs and LPNs don't have the same level of access as RNs, whatever position you are hired for is the access you are given. An RN working as CNA couldn't do more than a physical assessment (and even that couldn't be charted) because they don't have the access. I suppose they could start an IV or some other nursing task, but until you've been checked off on those tasks even an RN can't do those things alone.

P_RN, ADN, RN · Dec 26, 2010

Short answer-No. You're still held to the higher standard of the RN at half the pay (and probably twice the manual labor). I believe I'd work as an insurance secretary or in a grocery store.

indigonurse · Dec 26, 2010

"That's what I thought too. Once you become a RN you can't work as a CNA or LPN/LVN" I do not see why not. As long as you are practicing within your scope of practice. All of a CNA's work is within the scope of an RN.

1gindragon2 · Dec 26, 2010

There are jobs available for RNs. Maybe you need to broaden your horizon and check elsewhere. IF you are single and have no children I would recommend checking with the military. They have a need for nurses both in the states and overseas. Not all nurses are deployed.

There are also government nurse jobs without being in the military. Check the following website:

http://www.usajobs.gov/

good luck in your search.

In response to your question, it is my understanding to work in a position , CNA or LVN you have to hold that certification as well. :nurse:

KaringOne · Dec 27, 2010

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!

Now that's just crazy! (I wanted to post something else, but I'll refrain from doing so.)

I would work as an LPN with an RN license. I would do CNA work, but not for CNA pay. Can almost work anywhere for CNA pay (where I live u can anyway).

RubyLVN · Dec 28, 2010

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?

Not sure what state you live in but here a Cali a few RN grads i've spoken to were succesful in landing jobs in facilities such as Convalescent hospitals and SNF's NOT as LVN's or CNA's but as RN's, yeah they might not pay as much as hospitals but its def a start. Good LUCK :nurse:

indigonurse · Dec 28, 2010

Glad to hear that RN's are able to find jobs somewhere.

diane227, LPN, RN · Jan 2, 2011

You cannot work as a CNA or an LPN with an RN license. It has nothing to do with position or the amount of money your getting paid. It has to do with your training and your license. If you hold an RN license, you will still be held to the RN standards of practice when you work. And that translates into if something happens to a patient under your care, even if you are just working as the CNA, you will be expected to act in the RN role. If you cannot find a job as an RN and you want to work as a CNA, you will have to check with your board of nursing first. They will probably recommend that you place your license on inactive status first. But even then it might not be enough. This is a very gray area and one that could get you into a lot of trouble from a legal standpoint if something goes wrong with a patient. I would not do it under any circumstances.