Not sure what to do. Licensed RN working as tech.

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Specializes in Case Manager.

Long story short, I got a job as a tech at a hospital during nursing school for the sole purpose of working there as an RN once I graduated. Well I got written up earlier this year which prevented me from doing the new RN grad program (I applied in jan but got written up in march). I had to wait six months before I could transfer or do anything. Well fast forward to this month, I get my RN license and my six month "probation" is up. I figure I'd start orienting as an RN but apparently that's not the case. I was told I would still have to work as an aide and wait for a position that I qualify for to show up. Thing is that the GN positions only pop up once a year and all the other postings I need exp. and certs. for.

So, now I'm losing skills and knowledge. I have started applying outside the hospitals to LTC (which is the last thing I wanted to do). I feel unsupported by my manager and I don't know who in the hospital I can talk to. I've already talked to the HR director as well as my manager. The only thing I can think of is talking to them again about this issue, seek out other floors in the hospital for a position or going over their heads.

Any advice/comments would be appreciated.

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Specializes in Clinical Research, Outpt Women's Health.

The reality is that they are holding all the cards and can do whatever they wish these days due to the over supply of graduate nurses. If I was a conspiracy person I would really have to wonder at the planning that went it by the corporate entities to create this situation.......:sarcastic:

Probably the best you can hope for is finding a job elsewhere.

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I teched for 4 months after licensure and had to wait in my facility too. What choice do you have? You are looking for employment outside of your facility, but will take an opportunity within your facility if it comes available? Sounds like a typical new grad predicament to me. Bad timing for getting written up and not making the orientation/new grad residency/whatever it's called. I think it's a little dramatic to say you are losing knowledge and skill.....you'll realize, once you are a practicing RN, that school didn't even scratch the surface of knowledge and skills. I know you are anxious to get going, but take a see breath and have patience. The right thing will come along.

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Specializes in Home Care.

You've already been written up and put on 6 months probabation, now you said you're thinking of "going over their heads".

Your employer has no obligation to hire you or anyone else into a GN position. Even though your probabtionay period is over you are at a disadvantage over

a new hire GN because of the disciplinary action.

So your choices are to be the best tech ever at your current job and hope the nurse manager recommends you for a GN position or start looking for a GN job elsewhere.

As for "going over their heads"....don't go there, you'll just make waves that will probably do more harm than good.

You'll get farther in life with sweetness and sunshine.

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Specializes in Case Manager.

I know I can keep working and being the best tech and all that, but I'm also trying not to wait for a whole year on missed income, skills, networking, etc... I feel as though I'm being hindered more than helped, especially with the lacking support/communication from management.

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I am surprised they allow you to continue to tech after your RN.

Look I know countless techs who thought they'd get to be an RN at the hospital they worked. I only know 3 who it happened for. My advice, keep the job for some income but interview elsewhere for a RN job. They would have given you the opportunity already if they were going to consider you at all. Trust me -- Infractions just don't matter if you are in the right clique.

Skills, what skills? Think hard on that. Hardly any skills in nursing. A monkey could do the skills part! You aren't losing anything. Just look everywhere but the place you are currently working. Going over heads? LOL, you are at the bottom of the trash can my man. You gotta get out of that can first (said with tough love).

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The answer seems blindingly obvious to me, but as I'm on the outside looking in, I have that advantage.

Your supervisors/managers have made it abundantly clear that you have no future at this facility. There isn't likely to be any RN job spot opening up for you.....they've already pegged you and are keeping you in the tech hole they need filled.

"Go over their heads"? Consider yourself about to be unemployed.

If you want to work as a nurse, then apply to a facility looking for one!

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Specializes in Case Manager.
The answer seems blindingly obvious to me, but as I'm on the outside looking in, I have that advantage.

Your supervisors/managers have made it abundantly clear that you have no future at this facility. There isn't likely to be any RN job spot opening up for you.....they've already pegged you and are keeping you in the tech hole they need filled.

"Go over their heads"? Consider yourself about to be unemployed.

If you want to work as a nurse, then apply to a facility looking for one!

That's cool. If it takes me to get fired to get my point and feelings across, then so be it. Maybe I'm having a bad day and letting all this get to me, but the more I think about it, the more bitter I become. I have a nursing license, so finding a job shouldn't be that difficult... Even if it's at a place I don't like. It's that I just don't want this tech experience to be wasted nor do I want to be casted aside like trash. I did not get a job at a hospital with the intent of NOT working there once I graduated. I'd rather explore every avenue before I walk away with my tail between my legs.

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I honestly believe you are in no way losing skills, I work with many new grads who have never worked as a tech or CNA and are lost once they hit the floor. But in your situation I would honestly be looking elsewhere. Good Luck

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Spikey, read this link.

Give the 2 week notice to leave unscathed, because finding a nursing job most likely will be difficult

.

https://allnurses.com/general-nursing-discussion/no-nursing-shortage-752411.html

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Specializes in Case Manager.
Spikey, read this link.

Give the 2 week notice to leave unscathed, because finding a nursing job most likely will be difficult

.

https://allnurses.com/general-nursing-discussion/no-nursing-shortage-752411.html

Well of course I'd give a two week notice if I were to leave my job... I DO like working at my job and would like to work there as an RN, it's the politics and management that I don't like.

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Specializes in Peds Medical Floor.
That's cool. If it takes me to get fired to get my point and feelings across, then so be it. Maybe I'm having a bad day and letting all this get to me, but the more I think about it, the more bitter I become. I have a nursing license, so finding a job shouldn't be that difficult... Even if it's at a place I don't like. It's that I just don't want this tech experience to be wasted nor do I want to be casted aside like trash. I did not get a job at a hospital with the intent of NOT working there once I graduated. I'd rather explore every avenue before I walk away with my tail between my legs.

Not true anymore. I'd start applying for anything anywhere. My old job sent me to RN school, but didn't have a job for me so I worked my LPN job for 9 months until I got hired somewhere else and left. They tried to take advantage of my situation so I got out of there as quick as I could once I realized what was going on. Leave on a good graces in case you want work there some day in the future. You never know where or when you'll run into people again. Nursing/health care is a small world.

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