Have you ever worked as a tech while your an LPN?

Editorial Team / Admin · Dec 1, 2015

One important thing to keep in mind if you take a job below your highest level of licensure is that the BON will hold you to that licensure, regardless of your job description. This could cause conflict between your job and your licensure level.

jadelpn, LPN, EMT-B · Dec 1, 2015

Yes, there are many LPN's who have been put in the position of a "tech". For lower pay, worse hours, whatever. And you could still be hired as an LPN, however, your scope in that facility would be limited to that as what classically would be considered a tech in your duties (or lack thereof).

It doesn't have to do with LPN's working as "something lower" it is more that many, after being a primary nurse for so long, have a hard time limited themselves to the duties of a tech.

Perhaps you can negotiate a role where you work as a nurse (even a "secondary" nurse) with the transfer into an RN position within a 2 year period or something.

Also to consider--you could apply for a nursing position in home health (or urgent care, or an MD office--wherever they do utilize LPN's) in the same parent company for which you want to work as an RN. It could give you the option of transfer, or other advantages (seniority for instance) that would be more to your benefit long term. Then you could take full advantage of education within the company. Some even have other benefits that would impact you--tuition reimbursement (if they have that) that kind of thing.

So look around at all of your options, and best wishes!

DrkCocoMurse215 · Dec 25, 2015

I did but only when I was still looking for my first LPN gig, and once I secured it I stayed a per diem tech for only 1.5 months which was how long it took me to feel comfortable in my new position.