going from tech to RN

[texkid, RN]

Hello all, some of y'all may know who I am outside this forum while most don't. Basically I was a tech for numerous years and quit before I entered nursing school. I feel that I needed to vent about something and wondered if any had the same experience.

Some former co-workers are glad that I am now in nursing school and wonder if I will come to my old unit. I felt the capacity to say "h-no". Mainly for two reasons: I felt that I was being abused as a tech for years and all of a sudden when a graduate and add "RN" to my name that I will be treated as an equal was bullish. Also, that hospital does not offer what I want to obtain when I graduate. I want trauma and county. In the long run, I want to be either a flight nurse or a ACNP which Mem. Hermann or Ben Taub can offer.

Some even wondered why I didn't take the fellowship program? I refused because I would have been obligated to return to work there for two years. Why would I want spend my first precious years at hospital that I don't entirely like nor give me the experience that I want?

That's enough for now. So basically, did I make the right decisions or did I screw up? Should I have stayed?

[Absolutely13]

I would trust your instincts and start new. I think you will always be a promoted tech in many eyes at your old unit and facility. Just my 2 cents. That's a place to go back to in the distant future if it's convenient.

[marilynmom, LPN, NP]

Work where you WANT to work.

[texkid, RN]

Woo hoo!

[edisongirl25]

I would trust your instincts and start new. I think you will always be a promoted tech in many eyes at your old unit and facility. Just my 2 cents. That's a place to go back to in the distant future if it's convenient.

I agree with this. I had the opportunity to go back the the unit where I was a tech, but I felt that the other nurses wouldn't be able to seperate my roles there and always see me as the tech. I think you made the right decision.

[Batman24]

I see no problem with your plan. Sounds like you've thought it out and have a good plan in place. Good luck!!

[ncube]

I think u made the right decision and Ben Taub will give u all the trauma u need. I come from "the country with oil in it too."

[Ginger's Mom, MSN, RN]

Personally I would advise you not to work on the unit where you were a tech. They will always think of you as a tech and you will not be able to practice like the nurse you are.

[Penelope_Pitstop, BSN, RN]

i think you made the right decision. i, too, play the "what if" game constantly, and it's a dead-end, let me tell ya!

i loved my department from my days of being a tech; however, i think working there as an rn would have been a recipe for disaster. everyone in perioperative services saw me as an extern. (i learned this when i visited the pacu once as an rn working in a different department in the same hospital -- i was delegated a task, it was pretty funny!) i've seen people successfully transition from tech to nurse on some floors, but i think it's good to branch out from one's comfort (or, discomfort, in your case!) zone.

wish you the best!

*jess*

[locolorenzo22, BSN, RN]

Now, I'm going to go the opposite direction here. I did go from tech to RN on the same unit...same shift. Because I find the cases we deal with as interesting, and I also trusted the staff I work with on a daily basis.

I did not want to go to a different unit, have to figure out who the "good and bad" techs/nurses were, not know who I could approach for help, etc. I felt that , poor management aside, I could really get some good first years of practice in on this floor.

Now I run into patients who I took care of as a tech, and they trust me...I also know lots of other staff at the hospital, and am treated with the respect and professionalism as befitting my new title.

So, do whatever you are comfortable with, and good luck!