As a grad RN, should I apply as a PCT?

[dacmorri1]

As a grad RN without a job for almost one year, should I consider working as a PCT in a hospital until a RN position comes my way? What do you all think?

[cocobeans]

Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe you are held to your highest license...so even though you're only in PCT scope of practice, if something were to go wrong, it's against your RN license. That would suck for real.

[CT Pixie, BSN, RN]

When we were really short staffed in our LTC for CNA's, the powers that be offered the nurses (LPN and RN's) the open slots to fill in for the CNA's. I was under the impression you could not work as a CNA with an LPN or RN license. The DON checked it out and you can indeed work as a CNA, tech etc..but you had to work within THAT scope of practice, you couldn't work under your legal license (for example, if the pt requested an APAP, I couldn't be working as a CNA and then grab 2 PRN APAP for them, since med pass isn't under a CNA scope). The charge nurse or nurse assigned to that patient is working under his/her LPN or RN license and they would be held accountable for anything with the patient.

Like when I volunteered for our local ambulance as an EMT (I was also an LPN at the time). I could do the EMT, but had to stay within THAT scope.

I wonder if that is across the board or does it vary by State.

[ren3741LPN]

I don't know what they do here in Md far as a nurse still working as a aide but in NJ where im originally licensed once u are a nurse you can't work as an aide.

[CT Pixie, BSN, RN]

Then it must vary by State. I guess the best thing to do for the OP is to get a hold of the BON in the State he/she is licensed in.

I just looked at the CT BON site and it does mention in a minutes of meeting about an LPN working a a CNA.

http://www.ct.gov/dph/lib/dph/phho/nursing_board/minutes/2009/may_2009.pdf

"SCOPE OF PRACTICE CALLS

Diane Cybulski reviewed the calls received in the Board Office for the month of March, 2009. There have been several calls requesting whether an LPN can work as a CNA. The answer is yes, and they are held accountable to that "job description" and cannot work beyond the scope of a CNA. "

[dragonfly29]

I would check to see if you can work as a PCT where you're wanting to work and if you can, I would highly recommend it. A lot of hospitals hire more from within. My niece was a new RN grad last year and worked as a PCA for 3 months and was then able to transfer into a RN position. Hope this helps! :)

[CT Pixie, BSN, RN]

I agree with dragonfly, if its possible in your State to do it..then do it. Its a job bringing home a paycheck until you land your first RN position and most facilities want to hire from within..so you would have your foot in the door. Best of luck!

[maiday]

It depends on the state but also the hospital. Most hospitals will not hire an RN for a CNA position (at least in CA). My hospital allows you to work for 3 months as a CNA after you pass NCLEX, I know of another that allows 6 months. After that you cannot work in patient care. So really depends. Volunteer if you can though, my hospital considers volunteers internal applicants.

[BuckyBadgerRN, ASN, RN]

There are definate variances to this. One of my fellow students was working as a CNA and didn't sit for her LPN NCLEX b/c they don't utilize LPN's and she was afraid they'd fire her. Fast forward to our final year and she failed a class and now has to wait a year for it to come around again. Decided to get the LPN lisence so she could do some SNF work along with hospital work while waiting. Her hospital found out and let her go: no working "below" your level of lisensure.

[JRP1120, RN]

I would check to see if you can work as a PCT where you're wanting to work and if you can, I would highly recommend it. A lot of hospitals hire more from within. My niece was a new RN grad last year and worked as a PCA for 3 months and was then able to transfer into a RN position. Hope this helps! :)

Your niece is lucky. I worked at two hospitals as a PCA for a year while in nursing school. Both facilities hired from within but, picked the PCAs that had been there for 2-3 yrs vs many of us that had been there for one year. Even so, it's a good idea. You get face time with nurses and managers (if you work enough; I could only work very part time), and you learn a lot just by watching and listening.

I am also a new RN grad and don't have a job yet, but I do still have my PCA job that our facility encouraged us to keep working at until we find an RN job elsewhere or until the next new grad internships open again in Nov. We'll still have to apply and interview and are not guaranteed a job but it's worth the chance for me. At least I'm working in a hospital making SOME money.

Good luck!