Can I still work as an aide after passing the boards?

Nurses New Nurse

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So many people have told me that once I pass the boards, I can no longer work as an aide. Can anyone tell me if this is true? Is this a state regulation? Thanks.

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It depends on the state. Some states require that once you are licensed as an RN, that's the only job you can do because I think each state has a scope of practice and once you become an RN you're out of your scope of practice for tech and aide jobs. It also causes a problem with liability and licensure. You may also have an issue getting hired as anything less than an RN.

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Specializes in Cardiac.

My employer (at a hospital in Ohio) sent out an email to all nursing students reminding us that once we pass the NCLEX we can no longer work as PCTs.

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It depends on the employer. Some employers will dismiss you if they don't offer employment as an RN. Others will allow you to continue to work as an assistant. It might be wise to keep working to keep your self with a paycheck if you don't get an RN job soon. You should check on your employer's policies before you take the NCLEX, so that you are not surprised.

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Specializes in MED SURG.

Well, when I worked in Ohio we didn't have enough aides at the hospital I was working at and there were RNs working as aides. The rule of thumb is you can always work down but you cant work up. Oh an if you just graduated, hospitals can hire you as a grad nurse until you pas NCLEX. Working as an aide won't be out of your nursing scope of practice because being an aide is apart of a nurses scope of practice. That is one thing that makes me the maddist is a nurse saying they can't change a pt because its not there job.

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Specializes in Med/Surg/Pedi/Tele.

I work as a CNA in RI and that is true. Once you pass the Nclex and they post your results on the dept of health you are now a RN and they take away your CNA license. That is the reason so many of my co-workers are waiting to schedule their exam date.

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Specializes in Emergency Nursing.

In most states the answer is no because once you have taken the NCLEX and are an RN it could cause issues for you to be functioning as a CNA as you could be held accountable for your knowledge and experience as an RN even though your acting as a CNA.

!Chris :specs:

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I work as a CNA in RI and that is true. Once you pass the Nclex and they post your results on the dept of health you are now a RN and they take away your CNA license. That is the reason so many of my co-workers are waiting to schedule their exam date.

I also work in RI and had one of the Board of Nursing members as my clinical instructor. She stated that you CAN work as a CNA after passing and/or failing the NCLEX exam. Many of my coworkers at RI Hospital are misinformed and are awaiting taking the exam in fear of failing and coming out with no job. That is not the case. Also I have two personal aquaintances that currently work at Mariam Hospital as CNA's AFTER passing the NCLEX-RN. Then are awaiting better opportunities for scheduling purposes, so maintained thier CNA status after receiving thier RN licenses.

The only thing that would be effected would be if a person failed the NCLEX exam and was working as a graduate nurse only.

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This has been brought up before and all I can say is that I DID work as a PCT after getting my license - and in fact it helped me get my RN job because I remained a valuable part of the team, always with an ear to the ground! I question those who state that being a PCT puts your license at risk - that makes no sense at all, since you may have a license but as far as your facility is concerned you are still a PCT. For example, what if you have 2 licenses in different fields (paramedic/RN, for example)? - you are only responsible for the license under which you are employed, not any other skills/licenses you may have. Clarify with your manager if you have questions. BTW, I emailed the California BON with this very question, but never received a reply.

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This has been brought up before and all I can say is that I DID work as a PCT after getting my license - and in fact it helped me get my RN job because I remained a valuable part of the team, always with an ear to the ground! I question those who state that being a PCT puts your license at risk - that makes no sense at all, since you may have a license but as far as your facility is concerned you are still a PCT. For example, what if you have 2 licenses in different fields (paramedic/RN, for example)? - you are only responsible for the license under which you are employed, not any other skills/licenses you may have. Clarify with your manager if you have questions. BTW, I emailed the California BON with this very question, but never received a reply.

The CA BRN is not known for being responsive to attempts at contact.

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Specializes in NICU Level III.
The CA BRN is not known for being responsive to attempts at contact.

No kidding!

Anyway, in TX you can but you are still held liable as having the knowledge of an RN. I think if you're getting paid as an aide but legally liable as an RN....it's not worth it.

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Does anyone know about New Jersey?

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