could i get some more opinions on this please?

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I have always wanted to go into theatre nursing and its very hard to get a job in that area now..however have spotted a support worker role in theatres in a childrens hospital, i spoke to the manager today and asked if i could apply even though I am a qualified staff nurse, she was encouraging me to apply because she has said later in the year she will be putting out ads for band 5 theatre nurse posts and so she said if i got the support worker role , i would have my foot in the door, and my face would be known to the theatre team so i would have a big advantage over other nurse applicants due to my theatre experience.. plus i would be keeping up some clinical skills (very basic ones mind you ..) So what do you guys think...should i 'speculate to accumulate' so to speak??

Tina x

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

if it is something you really want to do then go for it but make sure that you do not do anything which is outside your scope and putting your license at risk.

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Specializes in med/surg.

Sounds like this could be a way in - maybe you could end up picking up some bank shifts as a nurse??

I agree with SD's warnings though - make sure that just because you're a nurse they don't ask you to do things in the support role that you should only do if you were in the nurses role. If you find that starts to happen then suggest they employ you as a nurse!!

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Specializes in Advanced Practice, surgery.

I have to be honest here, I won't even interview qualified nurses for unqualified positions. Personally I feel there is too great a temptation for you to practice as a qualified because they know you are. Yes you would be a fantastic HCA because you have all that knowledge, training and expertise but when the unit is short staffed you will be asked to exceed your role.

This will put you into a very very difficult position - you are not paid or will not have cover from your trusts vicarious liability - this means if anything goes wrong you will be on very thin ice.

Myself, I wouldn't touch it with a very long bargepole, I think it exposes both you and your potential employers to all sorts of potential problems

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I have to be honest with yo.If she was a good manager she would ask you to put in your application early and consider you when the post come into effect. What about if her budget falls and she won't be recruiting then what will happen . Will she back pay you if you work as a support worker for now. Personally i would not go for it. Many thearte vacancies at my hosp you couldtry if you what. it will be in a cardiac transplant therate..

Good luck

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Specializes in RN, BSN, CHDN.

I have a friend who is an RN working over here as a CNA she finds it very demoralising and gets very frustrated as not being able to utilise her skills

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