New Grad RN, can I work as a PCT

Nurses New Nurse

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I remember in my management class or somewhere, learning that we can't practice below our scope of practice, is this accurate? Can I not get a job to get my foot in the door during this hiring freeze? I'm just so deperate for a job I have run out of money and looking for jobs at grocery stores. If I had known I needed to work in a hospital to get an RN job I would have started in high school!!

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Specializes in geriatrics, dementia, ortho.

I don't know, Hope, but have you considered applying for non-hospital nurse jobs? Like in LTC or home health? In my area, those seem to be much easier to get hired at than in the hospital.

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Yes, I have looked into those jobs as well, they all have 1-2 years experience required. And reading in this forum LTC RNs have 60-80 patients, I do not want that as a new grad.

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Specializes in Wound Care, LTC, Sub-Acute, Vents.

i don't think the facility will hire you as a pct once they find out you are an rn. they will think you will leave as soon as you find an rn position. but maybe you can spin in around and say something like you really want to work in that facility so you are willing to work as a pct then if an rn position opens up, you will apply and by that time they should have seen your great work ethics already.

now about your question, i guess it depends on what state you are from. in new jersey, i can work below my license as long as i have the license or certificate for it. for example, i have both lpn and rn licenses active so i can work as an lpn if i choose to.

oh i work ltc and i don't have 60-80 patients. i have 26 patients max in the ltc floor and 15 patients max in the rehab floor and 8 patients max in ltc vent unit.

good luck with the job hunt!

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Specializes in Psych ICU, addictions.

1. First check with your state BON to see if it's possible for you to do this.

2. Keep in mind that many facilities will not hire RNs into non-RN roles because they know the minute a RN job opens up you will be out of there, and they don't want to waste the time and money training you as a PCT, aide, etc. when you both know you won't be staying.

3. Keep in mind the liability issue: that as a PCT you have to stay in the PCT scope of practice...yet the BON will still hold you to the standards of the RN should anything happen.

All that being said, you have nothing to lose by applying--the worst they can tell you is no. Best of luck in the job hunt!

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Depends on your state BON, and then after that each facility has their own policy. So if your BON says yes, many of the facilities might say no.

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Whether or not this is possible, depends upon which state that you live in. Call your BRN and get the correct info for your state. If it is possible, then you have to get someone to hire you under these circumstances, not always an easy task. Many employers will not hire an RN to work below their scope of practice. Hope you find something soon. Good luck.

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I don't know about your area, but when i was a PCT and then got my RN, I was no longer allowed to hold my PCT position because I was over qualified, and a liability. They did not want to risk me going outside what my PCT position allowed, and it was a high chance of blurring the lines

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That would be... no. You are credentialed as a registered nurse. Sorry.

Where do you live?

A lot of new grads here(In the Detroit area) are sucking it up and working in the pits of the larger hospitals to gain their first year of experience.

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Specializes in Ortho, Neuro, Detox, Tele.

You can if someone will hire you, but you will be held to your RN license scope of practice. So basically you could be a PCA but have RN responsiblities....so might as well be a RN.

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