NP working as an RN - advice needed

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I don't post often, but read the boards often as you folks usually have wonderful advice and insight. I am asking for opinions about something. I am in my final semester of NP school. I currently work very few hours per diem as this is all I have time for. My department is dissolving however, and transitioning to a new urgent care setting. If I do not try to obtain a regular staff position in the new department I will be unemployed, and so during the time between school ending and obtaining a new job as an NP I will have no money and this is not an option for my family. We are barely scraping by as is right now. I have a couple issues/questions about this:

1. When I apply for the new position do I tell them that I will be graduating in May as an NP? I feel morally obligated to tell them this for 2 reasons: first, I would have to start the job at 24 hours (vs the 36 hrs it's posted as) and I should explain to them why I can't work 36 hours until after May 7, lol. And also, I think it is unfair to them to hear through the grapevine that their new nurse is now an NP and may not be with them long. I would rather be upfront and honest about it, but it may give them cause to not hire me, even though it may be months before I gain employment as an NP, if not longer. My husband says don't say anything, but it feels wrong. It feels deceitful. But I need this job.

2. My NP specialty is Adult/Geri, but this RN position would be treating children and adults. I know as an RN there are no restrictions, but once I obtain my AGNP certification, am I allowed to care for children in an RN capacity?

Thank you!

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Specializes in Critical Care and ED.

I can only answer your first question. Be mercenary. Don't tell them. They would have no problem doing the same to you if it suited them. Just tell them you want a 24 hour position. No need to explain why. Protect yourself and your family and don't give them any excuse not to hire you. They will use any excuse to pass you over for the next one in line. Deceitful? Health care management are experts at it! Don't lose any sleep over that part. Ask for what you need, don't apologize and don't compromise or you'll end up with nothing.

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Thank you for your reply. I have a feeling you're right, it's just so not me and I feel weird about. I have a tendency to be too honest, sometimes to my own detriment, so I agree I should probably keep my mouth shut.

My other concern is: what if some of the other nurses in my department mention to the manager that I'm in school and graduating. All the nurses know, but this manager is new and doesn't know me. What if I don't say anything and the others tell him? Am I over thinking this? I have my final exam tonight and it's possible I'm in anxiety mode haha. Thanks for your help :)

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Specializes in ICU, LTACH, Internal Medicine.

Reg. the second question: if you work as an RN, you can treat whoever as long as you operate within RN scope of practice, including children. What you will do as NP will be defined by your licence when you pass boards and get it. For now, you are completely ok.

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Specializes in Adult Internal Medicine.

It becomes a tricky legal situation as well if you were ever named in a malpractice suit.

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You aren't obligated to tell them anything.

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Should you get called on the carpet because a coworker exercises a big mouth, as is so likely to happen, simply say something like you wouldn't understand why any other employee finds it necessary to discuss your business; then forthrightly answer any questions the manager sends your way.

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Specializes in ER/Tele, Med-Surg, Faculty, Urgent Care.

Also, it may take a few months after you take NP exam to get all certifications/licenses. It took me almost 6 months since I did not have all the money to pay for the ANCC exam, then to pay for NP license, then pharmacy license, DEA (I think that is $731?), and you have to get them in a certain order. I would not tell them.

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Specializes in Psychiatric and Substance Abuse Nursing.

Degrees add potential options, but don't necessarily signify intent is a valid argument for u to make. I know RNs with MSNs and DNPs who continue to work as RNs for the almost unlimited amounts of OT money they can earn.

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Apply for the RN job. Unless you are lucky or know people it isn't so easy for a new grad NP with no experience to get a job, so you may be looking for a while, and you've got to take care of business in the mean time. You will be fine, as long as you stay within the scope of practice guidelines for whatever position it is that you are hired to work as. Do you have RN experience in peds? If not then you will need a precepted orientation, and if they don't mention it you should ask for it. I would keep the NP stuff under wraps because it is none of their business. Until you finish school and pass your certification and obtain your license it doesn't really matter anyway. Best if you don't tell them anything at all, but, if you do, you could just say that you are going to school. I would avoid stating specifically that it is NP school. Not everyone will be happy for you. In fact, some may become jealous and then weird things will begin to happen. This was my personal experience, and I still remember it well.

When you become an NP, it is your board certification that determines how you will be licensed to practice. If you want to work with kids as an NP you will need acute or family certs. If you are board certified and licensed to treat adult and geri then unless you obtain other certs you will only be able to treat adul and geri population as an NP.

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I already work with peds now, and I have adult experience as an RN as well. My NP cert will be Adult/Geri primary care. No kids for me as an NP, but RN I don't mind.

Thank you all for your replies. I feel a lot better about keeping my schooling to myself now. :)

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Specializes in ER, progressive care.
It becomes a tricky legal situation as well if you were ever named in a malpractice suit.

I've always wondered that. If you went through NP school and are still working as an RN (while waiting to pass your boards/waiting for an NP job opportunity or whatever) would you be held to the NP level in a suit?

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