Finding it hard to be positive

Joni's Mom · Feb 22, 2012

Hi,

Were you hired as a RN or PCT? If your receiving RN pay consider working as a PCT great experience. If you were hired as a PCT then when the next available RN position comes up, management had better offer you the position, I suggest finding out.

If you like the job now and enjoy being there then by all means stay.

Continue to be positive, and brighten the day of your patients.

Hope this helps

ICAN! · Feb 22, 2012

Thanks Joni's mom for the reply. I was hired as an RN and I am trying really hard to look at this as a learning experience, but it's hard when I can't even look forward to going to work. I'm definitely not leaving because I love the RN position, it's just such a huge let down to be hired as an RN on days then be switched to a PCT on nights.

MyMystudentRN · Feb 22, 2012

hey ICAN so you got hired as an RN but are you getting paid the RN salary while working as PCT? But i know exactly what you mean i was hired as the LVN but i was doing CNA work along with my nursing work AND manager work even tho i had that title the job wasnt worth it i stayed for 6 months just so i can have that experience under my belt. dont get me wrong the job kept me busy the type of work i prefer but not being recognized and respected like an LVN and being treated like a CNA no disrespect to the CNAs i love ya

Guttercat, ASN, RN · Feb 23, 2012

I guess I just need to vent. I'm thankful to have a job in dialysis because that is what I wanted when I graduated nursing school. I was hired at FMC a few months back working days and now I'm working evenings as a PCT. The thought of going in this afternoon is so depressing to me! This is a complete turnaround because I loved my job, enjoyed taking on new duties and enjoyed being there. I know that in this economy I should be thankful that I have a job, and I am, but I'm having a hard time being positive right now.

Oh gawd. Do I have this right? You were hired as an RN but now are working as a PCT?

"Be thankful you have a job" ... ah yes, the spoon-fed mantra of plutocracy that you have swallowed hook, line and sinker.

Yes, having a "job" and doing it well is good... very good...but when push comes to shove look out for yourself because I can gaurantee you, they aren't.

ICAN! · Feb 25, 2012

I was told that I will be on the next schedule as a PCT, working evenings. What happened to the job I loved?

Joni's Mom · Feb 25, 2012

How many RN's are on staff? Are you the newest RN there? Are they (management) doing this temporarly d/t low census. Are the other RN's getting Low Census days off? Is the unit low on PCT's ? Are the other RN's scheduled to be a PCT?

I'm so sorry they are treating you this way. Do you have pt's that you chart on as the RN?

ICAN! · Feb 27, 2012

There are too many RN's and I am not the newest but the one with the least amount of nursing experience. We have had some PCTs quit and our census is growing. As far as paperwork, I still have all those RN duties. The fact remains that I was hired as an RN on day shift and am feeling totally let down and dissilusioned by my manager and the company. I could have been the most loyal employee he had because I want to be a dialysis nurse so bad and was very appreciative of the opportunity.

zorabanks · Feb 28, 2012

has the manager explained to you why the change? have you confirmed that once they hire more pcts you will be placed back on day shift? as nurses we have to be team players as well. there have been many days that I have wored as a cna because of low census or staffing problems. i dont like it, but was willing to do it because the pt is who gets the short end of the stick when problems like that happen. if you are getting the same pay, then it is really good because you can refine your skills. but why do you still have RN duties, don't you have pct duties if you are working as a pct? Be a team player, but don't let them take advantage of you. whenever i had to work as a cna i made it very clear that i was not doing double duty, either you want a cna or a nurse, i was not doing both during my shift. give it some time. good luck!

ICAN! · Feb 28, 2012

It wouldnt be so bad if I had PCT experience and was faster. When I'm feeling positive I look at it as a learning experience, but when I'm behind and the PCT's have finished putting their pts on and offer no help at all, it is overwhelming. I want to tough this out but I'm starting to think I should cut my losses and move on. My RN duties are going to suffer. Maybe he wants me gone since he has hired too many RN's and the last one has more experience. Of course this is going through my mind too.

beeker · Feb 28, 2012

Can you transfer to another clinic? Are you being paid as an RN? I would speak with the manager, and if you don't get anywehre go above them. I would also start sending out apps to the other big company and the like on the downlow and hope something else pans out. The tech experience will be good, but I think they are taking advantage of you. You are not doing the job hired for, and you are not workign the shift you accepted. I think you are within your rights to speak up. They probably won't care though.

550Qb · Feb 29, 2012

I guess I just need to vent. I'm thankful to have a job in dialysis because that is what I wanted when I graduated nursing school. I was hired at FMC a few months back working days and now I'm working evenings as a PCT. The thought of going in this afternoon is so depressing to me! This is a complete turnaround because I loved my job, enjoyed taking on new duties and enjoyed being there. I know that in this economy I should be thankful that I have a job, and I am, but I'm having a hard time being positive right now.

My first nursing job- scratch that- my first HEALTHCARE job EVER was as a dialysis nurse in the largest clinic in my area (30 chairs)... I have toughed it through every challenge thrown my way and as a result- I start my new job next month... as a Charge Nurse at a 32 chair clinic!! If you love dialysis and this is really what you want to do- PLEASE take my advice: Work your hardest and learn everything you can- this experience and this time spent "working as a tech" is probably going to be the most valuable foundation a new dialysis nurse could ask for! I know it doesn't seem like it to you now... but TRUST me! If you really want to grow into a great DIALYSIS nurse... then embrace this time and work your hardest until you can manage all of your own work AND to help the techs out... and if they aren't helping you out- ask yourself what MORE you can do to gain their respect? I know that sounds harsh- but when you've gained the respect of the techs you work with (and this is REALLY hard for a new nurse with no dialysis experience- trust me- I know!) when you've gained their respect they will help you! Are you assessing your patients? If not you should- this will take you a few minutes TOPS, help out the nurse "working as a nurse", and help you gain some experience! It might also help you feel a little bit more "like a nurse." And one more bit of advice- taking away your stethoscope/making you work nights/putting you on the PCT schedule- those things don't change the fact that you're a nurse... Caring for people and nursing judgement make you a nurse and no one can take that from you. Good luck! I hope you stay with it :)