New Grad Torn Between Accepting a PCA Position or ...

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Good day Fellow Nurses,

Pls I need your help. I am confused. I graduated 2 months ago and passed my board recently. I started applying for jobs right after my finals and found out that I have to have my license before I could be considered. When I found out I passed my board, I updated my job profiles and did not get a call in two weeks. A family member then got me a connection in a hospital. The connection advised me to apply for a PCA position and then I can be hired as a nurse intern in January 2014. I was excited, applied, got a call, and went for an interview only to find out that the January Internship is for BSN holders. I have an ADN and am currently enrolled to begin a BSN/ MSN program in January 2014. But they need me to have it (BSN) before hand.

The interviewers want to know if I would accept the PCA position until I get my BSN (A year from now), or if I would leave for an RN job if called. My connection at the hospital advised me to accept the job since there were limited RN jobs for new grads out there, and that this PCA position comes with a lot of benefits, guarantee, and the possibility of moving into an ICU position from his medical unit. He also mentioned that my experience of working as a CNA in a nursing home and home health might not get me the job I want compared to a PCA.

I have up till Monday to decide. My husband wants me to accept the job and leave when I get an RN position, but what is the guarantee of getting an RN job as a new grad? If I do get it, would it be at a hospital or a facility that is flexible and would help me grow? This hospital is reputable and has opportunities for growth. On the other hand, should I work as a PCA for a whole year when I already have a RN license, just to get into the position I want? How can I convince friends that I am an RN when they see me working as a PCA? I know I shouldn't care about this, but people can be very mean with their tongues (This is not to underrate the position in any way. It's better than none).

If anyone has had a similar experience or knows anyone that had, I would love to hear it. You might also have something encouraging to say even if you didn't have a similar experience. I would really appreciate your help. Thanks.

RN.

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I am not in a similar situation but I am with your husband on this one. Take the PCA job (unsure what PCA stands for) because you are getting your foot in the door at a place where you can potentially leverage your degree. While you are there you can network. If you get an RN position you like, then yes, give notice and leave.

But what if you don't get another opportunity and you pass this PCA position up?

See me playing devils advocate? Most places hire within when new positions are available. As a PCA, you would be on that magic list. They only do outside hiring when they can't find anything in house. Recently, I got a job offer for a hospital and it was rescinded due to cutbacks. But guess what, people who already worked there (CNAs, LPNs, etc) got to keep their offers because they were already in the network.

Pays to have your foot in the door...

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I second that. Take the pca job and keep looking/interviewing other places. No law against that!

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Specializes in Critical Care, Postpartum.

Working 1 year as PCA (patient care assistant) while an RN? Nope. Taking the job for now while applying to nursing positions at other hospitals? Absolutely.

You want that 1 year RN experience, but we all know it's tough getting your foot in the door so I agree to take it in the meantime while actively looking. There is a tech on my unit who was a nurse in her home country and she yearns to be working as a nurse now. You'll start to get that "itch" too when you start working as a PCA.

Sent via Glad2baRN's iPhone using allnurses.com

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Thank you all for responding so quickly. Sorry my computer has been down all morning and I got the Geek Squad to repair it. They did a fantastic job too. Can you believe it took over 6 hours to delete and repair all the threats on my computer? I wonder what my family and I have been downloading all these while, lol. Anyhow, back to the topic. PCA stands for Patient Care Assistant. Like a CNA, but works in the hospital. If I get the job, they would start me as a PCA II. You are both right, I should accept the position and move on when I get something better. I am just not one to break promises. They are not sure if I would stay after they offer me the job. Everyone wants me to say yes, but leave if the need arises. Also, I am thinking if I accept an RN job elsewhere, get my BSN and try to come back would they trust me to stay on the job? This is how I reason, pardon me. Anyhow, I would make the call to get the job. Thx & God bless.

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Glad you got your computer fixed!

Taking an offered job and leaving after you give notice is not breaking a promise. It is professional.

just an fyi :)

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Specializes in Cath Lab & Interventional Radiology.

I would not accept a position as a PCA when you already have an RN license. I would apply anywhere and everywhere to try to obtain an RN position. Even though you are working as a PCA, legally you will be held to the responsibility of your RN license. The hospital is really taking advantage of you. What hospital wouldn't want to hire RNs for PCA pay?

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Specializes in Critical Care, Education.

You may want to check with your state BON. If you have an RN, you are obligated to function at that level and this may pose a serious conflict in an 'unlicensed' role.

Nursing (like all other licensed professions) functions in an ethical/legal dichotomy - we ALWAYS have two masters... We have to fulfill "job" requirements as outlined by our employers, but - at the same time - comply with our professional requirements, as outlined by our nurse practice act. Profession ALWAYS trumps job. You can always get another job, but you only have one license.

So, what happens if you are working as a PCA and the nurse (who is supervising you) tells you to do something that you know is wrong... or fails to intervene when you know s/he should?? It would be a real can of worms, right?

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Specializes in Neurology/Psychiatry/Case Manager.

Issue: Because you are already an RN, even tough you will be working as a PCA, you will be expected to respond to a change in a patients status as an RN...NOT A PCA. If something is going on with the patient and as a PCA you stop to go call the RN and something happens to that patient in the interim....you may be held liable. You cannot use the argument, " but I was hired as a PCA or as a PCA I am not expected to do this or that or that is not a part of my job description."

I am not discourging you from accepting...just want to make sure that you understand the risk involved.

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In some states you would not be allowed to take a position beneath your licensure. Call your BoN and ask for their take on this matter stat. If the interviewers ask again, let them know what the BoN says.

And if you can take it, never make any agreement that you would keep it even if an RN job became available somewhere else. The minute an RN gets an RN job, she is sooooo outta there.

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Specializes in public health.

Just make sure you are working within your scope of practice

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