In the state of Texas can a GN work as a CNA?

[marinshelby]

I recently graduated with my BSN from UTHSC in San Antonio a few weeks ago. I am having a lot of difficulty finding a job. I have been using my time applying for jobs and studying for NCLEX. Although I know it is important to devote time to finding a job, I have bills that need to be paid that I no longer have student loans for. I don't want to go back to waiting tables and want to work in some part of the healthcare field until a job comes along. I have heard several of my friends say that it is illegal for a graduate nurse to work under the scope of a certified nursing assistant, but I haven't found documentation of this being true. Is anybody familiar with this situation? Or does anybody have any other suggestions on where I could work? I hate to sound desperate, but I am!!! I just want to work and continue on with my life! Any comments or suggestions are welcomed :)

[rn4lyfe08]

In PA GNs can work as a PCT,PCA until licensed, then they would roll over into a RN position if one was available. You could also work as a "nurse tech", but if you fail your boards, you're deomoted to PCT,PCA. Thoeretically you can work as a CNA w/o certification b/c you have the experience/training equal to that of a CNA. In school I worked as a "Health Care Worker", the job was like a CNA, except we actually did more than is within a CNA's scope of practice. This is allowed because the facility is responsible for training you adequately and ensuring that all skills are learned and retested at least yearly to be in compliance with rules and regulations.

So really, there is no reason legally why you can't work as a PCT/PCA/CNA while having an RN license, so long as you practice within the scope of your position. The problem comes in with you being OVERQUALIFIED for the position. The theory with any position that you are overqualified for (including McD's; yes, it happens), is that as soon as a position better suited for the height of your qualifications come along, you will leave and they will be out of a person in the position they hired you for. This makes you very unmarketable, and doesn't pertain only to the field of nursing. My father used to tell me stories of how he applied for lots of jobs after the military (he's got a Bachelor's on Poli-Sci), that he was overqualified for the position.

It really sucks. In the PA tri-state area, hiring is on freeze, especially for new grads/RN's w/ less than 2 yrs exp AND ADN RN's. It took me 8 mos to find work after graduation and I had to relocate for it, so I think you are in the right state, just maybe the wrong city. Hope you find something soon.