Long story short, I graduated in May 2014 with my RN. My only nursing experience has been per diem sub school nursing. I enjoy it, but it is not stable as a job. I have physical limitations with my back so I know working in the hospital or LTC is not really an option for me. I am currently an RN to BSN student, online at SNHU.
I used to work as a MA for a large hospital within Partners Healthcare, a couple years ago. This large Physician practice is great to work for but I cannot seem to get in as a nurse. So I decided to apply again for the MA position because they will hire a nurse for their MA positions. I applied, and was called for an interview which I had today. I know the office and the docs as I used to float there as an MA years ago.
Do you think it is a bad idea to consider this job? I did mention that my long term goal would be to gain employment for this company as a RN. They understand that, and cannot guarantee a nurse position anytime soon, but possibly in a couple years. I am stuck because I do not know if I should take this job, I am in desperate need of one, or should I hold out and keep looking... I live north of Boston and it is so hard to find employment as a nurse around here.
I am looking for thoughts, negative or positive on this.. Thank you for your time.
Specializes in Oncology; medical specialty website.
Thank you caliotter that is very true. I will not be very marketable if they see I worked as an MA in the middle of being an RN. Unfortunately they are not paying me with a little bit of a higher pay, it is MA pay, which is about 17 per hour. They mentioned that they would "have me" for the next two years before I graduate my rn to bsn classes then they would assume I would move on and find a RN job. I do not want to be an MA for the next two years.
Wait...what? "They'll have you for the next two years?" What does that mean? Are they asking you to sign a contract?
You can leave a job whenever you wish. In this case, if you take that MA position then the sooner you get out of there, the better. You worked hard to be an RN and you have every right to want an RN position.
There are some jobs that require you to sign a contract, but I have a hard time believing they would do so for an MA position.
Specializes in Psych, Hospice, Surgical unit, L&D/Postpartum.
Wait...what? "They'll have you for the next two years?" What does that mean? Are they asking you to sign a contract?
You can leave a job whenever you wish. In this case, if you take that MA position then the sooner you get out of there, the better. You worked hard to be an RN and you have every right to want an RN position.
There are some jobs that require you to sign a contract, but I have a hard time believing they would do so for an MA position.
No they did not ask me to sign a contract. The office manager was stating if I wanted to work as an MA, they know I am continuing on in school and it will be two years till I have my BSN. They thought if I stay on for that whole amount of time for them.... I would never work that long as an MA with a nurse license anyways.. They were saying to me that they never know if and when they would get an okay to allow an RN opening in their budget. Then they would ask me to work as a nurse for them. They already have two nurses in their office right now so they are not in need of one, they are only in need of medical assistants. This whole thing is really screwy the more I think about it. Jeez what did I get myself into.. this is a tough situation esp since I really need a job.
No they did not ask me to sign a contract. The office manager was stating if I wanted to work as an MA, they know I am continuing on in school and it will be two years till I have my BSN. They thought if I stay on for that whole amount of time for them.... I would never work that long as an MA with a nurse license anyways.. They were saying to me that they never know if and when they would get an okay to allow an RN opening in their budget. Then they would ask me to work as a nurse for them. They already have two nurses in their office right now so they are not in need of one, they are only in need of medical assistants. This whole thing is really screwy the more I think about it. Jeez what did I get myself into.. this is a tough situation esp since I really need a job.
If I needed a job and was physically incapable of doing something else, it would be an easy decision for me.
THEY might ONLY hold you to the standard of an MA, but I assure you, that the BON, and a Plaintiff's attorney, will make it their business, the remind the jury and the judge, that you are indeed, have a Diploma from a Registered Nurse program, and are a Registered Nurse, with the professional license to prove it. THEY WILL HOLD YOU TO THE STANDARD OF A REGISTERED NURSE!
They may not decide what you are legally held to. THAT is what the BON is for. They are trying to get away with paying you a Medical Assistant salary, but squeezing RN work out of you.
BTW Medical Assistants should not be triaging. I know 'in the real world' that they do in some places, but it is not appropriate. Remember Medical Assistants have no Scope of Practice so therefore little/no liability, but you as a RN have both.[/quote']
^This!
This is a big pet peeve of mine.
Or the MA who introduces herself as Dr. So and So's nurse, yet their badge clearly identifies them as an MA.... Or Dr. So and So who calls for the nurse, and in walks the same MA who already misidentified herself as a nurse.
Here's another suggestion for a nursing field to look into: home health.
There's the traditional home health where you visit multiple patients during the day or there's private duty nursing where you stay with a patient for an 8-12 hour shift. I work night shift as a private duty nurse for a pediatric home care company. Physically, the work isn't as demanding as the hospital - I do a lot more sitting than I like. Since I work with mostly younger kids, the patients I do lift are light.
Just wanted to warn you about home health. In extended care home health, most cases are at the LPN level. While there is no worry about being mistaken for an MA, many, not all, of the agencies, will pay an RN working at the LPN level type cases, LPN-level wages. But at least there is no concern about not being approached as a licensed nurse on your resume.
Specializes in Medical-Surgical/Float Pool/Stepdown.
I was told that I will be held to MA standards since I am working as one, not the standards of a nurse. Is that even possible and does that sound fishy? could I even get in trouble for that? My duties include rooming patients, injections, and triage. They have their MA's do injections which some places do not allow that, only nurses can give them. Also they have templates for the MA's to do triage.
Please check your states Nurse Practice Act because it is my understanding that you will absolutely be held to the full extent of your license/education and will be held fully accountable in a court of law or by your BON if you do not respond as any prudent nurse would in a nursing situation.
(Please take into account that I just worked a pretty rough/busy 12 hour night shift and would probably make more sense after some sleep! )
MA's are NOT allowed to triage in my state. Are you sure they can in yours?
I was told that I will be held to MA standards since I am working as one, not the standards of a nurse. Is that even possible and does that sound fishy? could I even get in trouble for that? My duties include rooming patients, injections, and triage. They have their MA's do injections which some places do not allow that, only nurses can give them. Also they have templates for the MA's to do triage.
Specializes in Psych, Hospice, Surgical unit, L&D/Postpartum.
Here's another suggestion for a nursing field to look into: home health.
There's the traditional home health where you visit multiple patients during the day or there's private duty nursing where you stay with a patient for an 8-12 hour shift. I work night shift as a private duty nurse for a pediatric home care company. Physically, the work isn't as demanding as the hospital - I do a lot more sitting than I like. Since I work with mostly younger kids, the patients I do lift are light.
Just a thought for you.
I have applied to multiple home health agencies and they denied me saying I do not have experience. I actually interviewed with Bayada and I was turned down at the end of the interview because of my low skill set. It was for a pedi private duty job.
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OCNRN63, RN
5,979 Posts
Wait...what? "They'll have you for the next two years?" What does that mean? Are they asking you to sign a contract?
You can leave a job whenever you wish. In this case, if you take that MA position then the sooner you get out of there, the better. You worked hard to be an RN and you have every right to want an RN position.
There are some jobs that require you to sign a contract, but I have a hard time believing they would do so for an MA position.