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.
IMO this sounds like a bad place to be in. If they wanted you, they would hire you point blank. If you are working as a tech yet you are a Registered Nurse this can definitely put you in a bad situation. You can not utilize your RN skills at all. I know several hospitals that will not hire an LVN or RN as a tech cause they are licensed personel & a tech is not. I would find another job ASAP & leave gracefully.
I would not even bother. I'm having a similar problem as you (but I'm trying to get a tech job instead of continuing my sitter job) and I have been rejected numerous times. Luckily, I snagged a second job (as PCA, but for less pay) from another hospital just after two applications.
I would start looking elsewhere. The workforce has change, and workers are no longer loyal to employers b/c of how employers treat their employees--like disposable tissues, ready to be used and trashed.
Your eggs are in one basket that is not working. You're doing the correct thing by looking outside the facility. To go over their heads and visit other floors, while you just came off of probation is a terrible idea. I would recommend you continue to show your work effort & hope the nurse manager will orient you into a nursing position within the next coming rotation. Either way, you definitely don't want to be without any income while you're worrying about maximizing income. Soften your relations and build a network within your current unit & you will be a sure in for the positions to come. Obviously there was an issue prior to that caused you to reestablish probationary period. With that being said, most managers & HR personnel are reluctant to hire a person with a disciplinary record into an expensive position. Think of it from their perspectives. If you are being disciplined as a tech, what will you do as a nurse?
I thought that in the nursing position you could not hold a job "lower" than the license you held. At the hospital here, once you have your LPN you can only work as a LPN, once you have your RN you can only work as a RN. Makes sense because it seems like there would be potential liability issues if you have a nursing license but you're working as a tech.
Dont set yourself up to be fired. That does not look good for you on the next application you fill out. I worked as a tech while in school also and was hired as an RN there as soon as I passed boards. I LOVED my tech job and learned so much, however when you have that title as RN, it all changes because all those critical decisions fall solely on you. Its a bit overwhelming to say the least! You will not lose your skills as a tech, actually you could view this time as an opportunity for hands on learning. The RN's that I worked with as a tech pretty much let me do everything but was always there to offer advise which was invaluable learning experience. Start applying elsewhere also to cover all your bases. Good luck.
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.
First, your taking the tech position for the "sole purpose" of landing a RN gig after you graduate is moot. Unless the tech position came with a written or otherwise promise that upon your obtaining a GN or RN license you would be offered employment as such the facility has no legal responsibility to move you into any other position other than the one you were hired to fill.
It is standard business practice to suspend those on written warnings and or other formal actions against their record from promotions, wage increases and or other benefits for the duration of the notice. The fact a window for applying to be admitted for a promotion again is moot (see reasons listed above).
Quite honestly it has been my experience from holding all manner and sorts of employment that written warnings do not generally come out of the blue. Usually one or more verbal "sit downs" happen putting an employee on notice for all but perhaps the most major infractions. Even then the last bit would be for something *really* bad such as insurbordination, theft, physical abuse of a co-worker or patient, etc....
It has also been my experience that written warnings are the start of a process when a place wants to get shot of an employee and is laying the groundwork for termination that cannot be challenged in the courts, and or not having to pay unemployment.
When it comes down to it you have two options: make nice with your current employer and do your very best to win them over and make things happen for the RN new grad program, or find someplace else.
Would also suggest being careful what you say and whom you enlist for "assistance" in your current situation. Have seen plenty of persons in similar problems confide in people they *thought* were on their side, they later found out it wasn't true and those fellow employees were in fact helping to gather support information for the "other side".
I think you should start looking else where...please dont try and think that you will make them do anything. I have never been written up but I lost my job because I listened to another nurse manager because I wanted to transfer to the NICU( my hearts desire)from the MIU in addition to not being given the opportunity to gain experience in blood draws...all of a sudden there weren't any hours for me. I was always on time did what was expected of me got along with peers and patients and still no position. Managers can be very nasty and unfair...it happens move on to better things. Dont open yourself up for possible black balling.
I worked as an ED tech and at one point I was interviewing for ICU jobs and did not get the call back for the first 2 places I interviewed for that I thought I had.
I did not like the management at my hospital but was desperate for a job and asked my manager who was still mad at me because I would not commit to their ICU after I took their critical care classes he didn't want me to attend unless I stayed but the educator said I could.
I was blessed that I finally got the call for my dream job shortly after and love my job. I realize know had I stayed I would have been miserable. I did not like the management and the way I was treated. I was an excellent tech and did not want to work in that environment as a nurse.
If I were you I would not stay at the hospital. They sound like my managers who don't want me. The disciplinary action means you're pretty much done. You need to look else where. Management isn't gonna change because you're and RN. If they are not working to keep you then they don't want you.
It will be tough searching for a job but don't give up.
I thought that in the nursing position you could not hold a job "lower" than the license you held. At the hospital here, once you have your LPN you can only work as a LPN, once you have your RN you can only work as a RN. Makes sense because it seems like there would be potential liability issues if you have a nursing license but you're working as a tech.
Allot depends upon the state BON's position on the matter and or the facility as well. However the major influence is from legal advisors. Generally if something goes south and a licensed nurse, or GN is working as a tech, they will be treated in the courts to the higher standard of education.
This is not unfair. Afterall one does not expect a CNA, tech or other UAPs to have the educational background knowledge of a RN, even if she or he is a recent graduate. This to say just because one took a lower ranking position it does not mean a discounting of the education/traning one received in nursing school.
You will not lose your skills as a tech, actually you could view this time as an opportunity for hands on learning. The RN's that I worked with as a tech pretty much let me do everything but was always there to offer advise which was invaluable learning experience. Start applying elsewhere also to cover all your bases. Good luck.
Are you saying that, with their encouragement, you worked beyond the scope of your job description as a tech? (This is completely separate from your scope of practice as an RN.)
brandy1017, ASN, RN
2,910 Posts
Was the write up legit or do you think it was done on purpose to prevent you from joining the new grad RN program?
It sounds like they are blocking you from working as an RN and you will probably have to apply elsewhere.