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.
Thank you Ixchel and ocnrn63 for your thoughts.. They told me that I will be held to MA standards only while I work. Even though I am an RN, I cannot act as one. I will be doing injections, as all their MA's do, and triage. I do see the pros and cons of this job. OCNRN63 you make a good point about asking me to go beyond the scope of an MA because I am a nurse. I feel torn. I do not want to be taken advantage of. This is a hard decision. They said they are taking a risk hiring a nurse as an MA because I could up and leave anytime for another nurse position.
It's not for the office to decide what standards you're held to. The nurse practice act and board of nursing state the standards if you have an RN license, and if anything goes wrong- judge and jury will decide to hold you to RN standards.
Triage is not really MA work. At its core, it's assessment, which isn't even within an LPN's scope of practice, much less an MA's. If the office is using MA's for triage I really question what corners they're cutting and how dedicated they are to their patients' care versus lining their pocket books.
How abut Occupational Therapy or Speech Pathology? I worked with two Speech Pathologist, who were former RNs. They disliked nursing, but wanted a career where they could use their nursing education and experience.
Specializes in Psych, Hospice, Surgical unit, L&D/Postpartum.
How abut Occupational Therapy or Speech Pathology? I worked with two Speech Pathologist, who were former RNs. They disliked nursing, but wanted a career where they could use their nursing education and experience.
Specializes in Psych, Hospice, Surgical unit, L&D/Postpartum.
So I have my other interview tomorrow for the Pedi RN position, and today I just got called for a weekends only RN position in a brand new short stay unit. I am interested in that as well. I just wonder if they would hire me even though I do not have rehab experience. That would definitely allow me to use my skills I learned in school. I do know that this job would be physical though on my back. I am willing to try it if the pedi RN position does not go through.
Specializes in Psych, Hospice, Surgical unit, L&D/Postpartum.
UPDATE
I decided to let the office of the MA position know that I am going to move on and look for a RN job. I thanked them and wished them luck in their search for an MA. I went on the Early intervention Pedi nurse job interview that went well. I am going on a job shadow this Thursday to see hands on what the job entails. I also have a job interview for an Allergy and Asthma nurse office position. That interview is this Wednesday. Has anyone worked as an allergy nurse in an office setting before?
Hi, I was just wondering if you had ever considered working for an company that specializes in the care of individuals with developmental disabilities? They often times have nurses in the Residential and Day Habilatation programs. If you are working with higher functioning individuals you often times will not even need to make any patient transfers or do any lifting. It is mostly ensuring health and safety, patient education, working as part of the interdisciplinary team, maintaining MARs, and stuff of this nature. I have been working in a Residential facility for 5 years and it is has changed my life. Those individuals are the reason I became a nurse. In fact, I find it so rewarding I still work there as Direct Service Provider(lowest position offered at my company) per diem even though I am an RN at a Level 1 Trauma Center. I just thought I would share, because the reason I did not want to stay as an RN was because I wanted to work in a more acute setting.
The above link is an agency I found in MA, but I'm from NY. So I can't say what the deal is exactly, but just an example of the type of agency I'm talking about.
I'm tired.
ErinDel, ASN, BSN, RN
528 Posts
Thank you Johnny for all your help and thoughts on this.. :)