New Grad RN Working as a Medication Technician?

nursecait · Nov 11, 2013

The only issue with working as a med tech is people will wonder if you're an RN why aren't you working as one? I understand job market is tight and you have to do what you have to do. Just be prepared that working "under" your license may raise some eyebrows.

HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD · Nov 12, 2013

As a licensed professional, we always "serve two masters".... employer & our BON. They are two separate entities & we have to satisfy the demands of each one. Check your Nurse Practice Act. No matter what type of clinical job you accept, you will be expected to function as per terms of your licensure when a "difficult" situation arises; e.g., supervisor telling you to do something that you know is not appropriate or coming across a patient situation in which you are required (as an RN) to intervene.

When push comes to shove, we must put priority on complying with our NPA because jobs come and go, but we only have one license. Employers are unlikely to expose themselves to the liability that this could create.

applesxoranges, BSN, RN · Nov 12, 2013

Hi there, looking for some advice from anyone!
Is it okay for RN to work as a medication technician? As a med tech, I would be responsible for passing out medications to residents in an assisted living facility. Essentially, this position does not require any certifications or licenses--like a CNA or even a regular person can do this. The facility trains the person and then they are allowed to pass meds. The wages are on average $10-12/hr.
So do you think it is okay? Or is it possible that I am putting my license at risk?
I can't seem to find any information on this topic/CA regulations through googling.
Info about me:
I'm a new grad RN from California; graduated ADN in May '13, licensed in June '13. Haven't landed an RN job and I've applied to hospitals, LTC, hospice, home health, internships, clinics, volunteer, ADHC, craigslist, everything!! I've been blessed to have had 4 interviews but was told competition is fierce or priority is given to BSN/experienced nurses. So I was thinking that maybe being a med tech can help me get my foot in the door or show that I have some kind of experience in a facility. The only health experience I have prior to RN was being a home health CNA for 2 years.
Any help is much appreciated!:)

I agree with the other posters. People will wonder why are you not working as a nurse. I wouldn't do it personally unless I was on the verge of losing my home and car. I'd look at moving and basically be willing to say goodbye to everyone I know.

Most employers I know do not allow this either. I know my employer fires people the day they get the license if they have not taken a nursing position elsewhere.

sourapril · Nov 21, 2013

My advice is keep looking for a nursing job. I just don't see how Med tech would help you gain nursing experience. If you need to pay your bill, work for UPS, they pay better.

Guests · Nov 21, 2013

You know, I often read people on this site posting along the lines of, "you will be held accountable to your licensure regardless of the role that you're holding." I remain skeptical of this and have never seen it concisely documented anywhere. I've read through the CA nurse practice act and haven't seen this ever addressed. I know nurses who work as firefighter-medics and they don't express this concern.

JustBeachyNurse, LPN · Nov 21, 2013

I know it is specified in the NPA for NJBoN and I think in FAQ on NY BoN that a nurse is held to their highest license.

As far as FF/medic it's not the same as a medic is working under medical control (direct or indirect) so a nurse who happens to be also a prehospital medic would not have this issue. Say for starting IVs or acls protocol as that is not an independent nursing function (in facility it's by physician ordered facility protocol or P&P )

JustBeachyNurse, LPN · Nov 21, 2013

You know I often read people on this site posting along the lines of, "you will be held accountable to your licensure regardless of the role that you're holding." I remain skeptical of this and have never seen it concisely documented anywhere. I've read through the CA nurse practice act and haven't seen this ever addressed. I know nurses who work as firefighter-medics and they don't express this concern.[/quote']
From NY BoN:
" Can a Registered Professional Nurse (RN) or Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) work in a position that is below his/her level of licensure?
Answer: Yes. A licensed nurse may work in a position that he/she has the training to do and that is within his/her scope of practice. RNs have the training to perform LPN, Certified Nurses Aid and Home Care Aid functions and therefore could accept a work identified for these levels. An LPN has the training to perform Certified Nurses Aid and Home Care Aid functions, and could accept work identified for either of these positions. However, the nurse that does so would still be required to act prudently based on his/her educational preparation and would be held to that standard. In addition the nurse cannot refer to themselves as an “LPN” or “Certified Nurses Aid” unless it is, in fact, true."
Source: http://www.op.nysed.gov/prof/nurse/nursepracticefaq.htm

helloshandy · Dec 23, 2013

Thanks for all the replies! I ended up not taking the position. I was expected to work the night shift where it would just be me and a CNA for the whole facility of 100+ residents. My supervisor would have been a newly hired LVN that will only be present on the day shift. She informed me that the majority of the residents have moderate dementia and that they didn't have a memory unit. It just seemed like there would be so much room for potential disasters.