Accept a tech position?

dthfytr, ADN, LPN, RN, EMT-B, EMT-I · Apr 12, 2011

Tough call. They might not want to hire you knowing that you'll be looking for an RN position soon, on the other hand the right manager might accept the opportunity to let you prove yourself as a tech, then get a good RN out of the deal. I guess I'd be up front and honest about it all. Good luck, wishing you a long enjoyable career, and congratulations on passing the NCLEX, nurse!

roser13, ASN, RN · Apr 12, 2011

Just know that if you take a position as a tech, you will likely be held to the standards of your highest licensure (RN), even though you won't be working as such. Some states actually outlaw taking a position beneath your level of licensure - best to check that out.

chuckster, ADN, BSN, RN, EMT-B · Apr 12, 2011

I disagree with the contention that you will be held to RN standards while working in in a "lessor" position. I think it depends on your state's BON.

I am an EMT-B who frequently volunteers with my local fireco. While on the ambulance, my scope of practice is that of an EMT, not an RN. This would be an analogous situation to what you've posted. I would absolutely let your prospective employer know that you are pusuing an RN and let them make the call. By the way, I'm a presently an RN who has not be able to find a nursing postion and have applied to numerous CNA and PCT jobs. I make no bones about using such positions as a springboard to RN jobs (though frankly I have not been successful in actually being offered an RN position, I have at least been interviewed - and have never been successfl at getting an interview for an RN position.)

I say: Go for it!

roser13, ASN, RN · Apr 12, 2011

"I disagree with the contention that you will be held to RN standards while working in in a "lessor" position. I think it depends on your state's BON."

Disagree all you want, this is a reality in many states; the ambiguity of which I deferred to in my post.

manusko · Apr 13, 2011

I'm a newly graduated RN and have been out of the health care field for 6 years (I worked as a CNA from '93-2005). While preparing the NCLEX, I applied for numerous tech positions in the areas that I was interested (med surg and psych). I just received (unofficial) results that I passed the NCLEX and am awaiting recognition from the BON. The next day, I got a call back from two of the tech positions and have interviews scheduled for Thursday. My questions are: should I accept a job as a tech whilst pursuing an RN position? should I let them know in the interview that I'll most likely be taking the first RN position that I'm offered? is it prudent for me to be taking a job as a tech whilst holding an RN license? I think that it would be unfair of me to not mention that I'll not be satisfied as a tech for more than a couple months at maximum. As an RN, is it even advisable to work as a tech? I'm hoping that the tech position will parley into an RN position. Is this an acceptable means of getting a foot in the door, or should I hold out for an RN position?

I personally would not go to the interviews. I would cancel and explain that I had passed NCLEX. Is the market really that bad for a new RN? If not I would definately look for a RN position and not waste time with the tech job.

lucky_shamrock · Apr 13, 2011

For what it is worth, I think it can be a great idea to take a tech position, depending on the hospital and the position. I did exactly that when I graduated nursing school this past August. Knowing the job market was so bad out there, I took a position as a tech in a busy, inner city emergency department. They were reluctant to hire me, but did anyways.

I did find a job as an RN as a rehab, but kept up one shift a week in the ED to keep my foot in the door. Not only did I get amazing experience working in codes, traumas and learning to deal with a whole lotta crazy, but I was eventually offered a position on one of the floors after about eight months. I'm in Massachusetts, where it is virtually impossible to get a new grad position in a hospital, so I consider myself pretty lucky.

The experience that I got working as a tech was invaluable to see the "real world" of medicine and nursing and let me watch and learn without the pressure of having to know everything.

roser13, ASN, RN · Apr 13, 2011

Please read this thread:

https://allnurses.com/general-nursing-discussion/new-grad-rn-496805.html

LoveMyBugs, BSN, CNA, RN · Apr 13, 2011

You will most likley get really tired of working as a tech, when infact you are a RN

I worked as an ED tech for 3 years, hoping that one day it would turn into a RN position, during those 3 years I watched them hire the new grads that did their preceptorship with them.

So my preceptorship comes up and I get in at my own ED :yeah: it was awsome, I learned so much and I had excellent reviews from my preceptor ( a nurse on a different shift that I had not worked with in a long time so I wasn't buddies with her so she could farily evaluate me)

Graduation comes, and NCLEX comes and I pass, by this time I have been speaking with the department manager, Oh as soon as a position opens up apply, is the response I would get.

I applied elsewhere as well, 7 months later 3 nurses leave and one is going on maternity leave :yeah: , and I put in my application, that same week the manager of the department was demoted and someone new in her place who has a no new grad policy, which is now the hospitals policy for new grads in the ED:crying2: I stuck it out another month, but working there as a tech when I was a RN was too hard, then to watch them train the new hires was killing me inside.

I gave notice without having another full time job lined up, but the same week that I gave my 2 week notice I was offered a job at a LTAC/SNF full time so it worked out.

During my job hunt, when I went to one SNF/LTC to apply in person, they had a position open, but they too were saying no new grads, but if I wanted I could work for them as a CNA, then work the med cart and then they may hire me as a RN.

So all that to say it could work in you favor, if I hadn't already been working as a tech then I might have taken the CNA job with the hopes of it turning into a RN positon, but after a few months it gets old really fast, I would just start looking for RN positions

daliguana · Apr 13, 2011

Thanks for all the responses. I'm going to go to the interviews - I've been out of work for too long and student loans are coming due in July. I will be very upfront about my immediate goals, i.e. RN position within 60 days. I hold a BA in psychology as well as my ADN, and both tech positions will involve psychology (psych ER and head trauma units). I think that the experience wouldn't hurt, and maybe its the only way to get my foot in the door. But I'll be actively seeking RN employment and will take what I can get in that regard. I agree that the work may be frustrating - when I quit my last tech job I promised to not work again until I was an RN. How ironic that once I become an RN, I can only find tech work!

daliguana · Apr 14, 2011

Update: Went to both interviews this morning. The first at a neuro SAC unit I interviewed with two lead techs. The interview went well, with me being able to relay to them that I'd welcome an opportunity to start "on the ground level" for a number of weeks to get to know the unit, the nurses, etc. But that to be honest, I'd probably get frustrated after say two months of not being able to practice my license. I got a generally good feeling about that interview, and if they don't offer me a tech position, I'll not be concerned.

Because - the second interview was so much better. I interviewed for the psych ED, where I'd interned the last 2 weeks of nursing school in December. The interviewer immediately recognized me as my preceptor was generous enough to introduce me while working. The interviewer inquired when I was going to get my license, and I told her that I'd just received confirmation via the BON. She immediately threw away the paperwork for the tech interview and got out the paperwork for RN interview! My heart leapt and it was all downhill from there. My preceptor really went to bat for me while I was working there, as did several of the other staff. I really wowed the interview, and I believe I said all the right things, had the right experience, and a lot of support from the unit. The interviewer said that if I'd not heard from her by Monday to give her a call. I'd hate to be too optimistic, but I think that I went in for a tech position, and scored my first RN position on my first interview!

TL;DR: Interview for tech position changed to (possibly successful) interview for RN position