I work as a CNA in a health care setting. Every spring we have nurses who fail their boards and then they are put on the CNA schedule until they pass. I have a problem with this b/c it cuts out possible extra money I could earn and some of the pending nurses think they are above CNA work and do minimal work at times. I work in a place where four nurses have just failed their boards, two have failed for the 3rd time and been on the schedule all year! I just recently found out that while they are not being paid nurses pay they are being compensated at LPN pay, but do CNA work. I have more education (not nursing) than both and being compensated at less. I feel these nurses should be fired after failing so many times and plan to complain if they are all added to the schedule. Am I right in doing so? I live in Illinois, but what is the standard in your state and hospital? Am I right to feel this way?
I don’t know about Illinois, sorry, but I believe it’s pretty standard that you can take your board exams as many times as it takes.
It is up to your employer to decide if they want to continue to employ people while waiting for them to pass – and it is not uncommon for people to fail at least once. It is common courtesey to hold a nursing position at least until they test a second time. It’s not unheard of for them to hold it longer. But obviously if you think you are suffering and that your employer’s policies are unreasonable, you should voice your concerns. Are you part of a union? You could talk to a union rep for support also.
Good luck!