NP working as an RN - advice needed

Specialties NP

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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!

Right, that's my question.

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Specializes in Adult Internal Medicine.
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?

This it an often debated topic and there have been legal professionals that have argued both sides, however, at the end of the day it's a risk. You would absolutely need to carry at the NP level not the RN level.

You would need to protect yourself accordingly assuming you could be held liable.

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I have a GF who has her NP and has never used it.

Seems like a complete waste to me. I don't get it at all.

She is working as an RN. I often wonder if she could get in trouble in for not working "up" to her degree if there was an iffy situation.

The hospital knows it and they allow it. They paid for her NP, in fact.

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This is so tricky. I do currently have student NP (which covers for RN), and will obv switch it to NP when it is due next year. I wonder if I have an unusual case where I work in pedi as an RN but my NP certification will be Adult/Geri. Has anyone ever heard of this? I know it's strange, believe me haha! But I wonder if my higher certification takes precedent over my RN license when it comes to the patient population, even if I'm working as an RN still.

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Specializes in Adult Internal Medicine.
Right, that's my question.

If you are adult trained/certified as an NP and you work as an RN with pedi then you are legally better protected as you can't be liable for advanced training you don't have.

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If they extend the position to you and your manager finds out, I don't think they can terminate you for continuing your education.

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Why does your employer need to know your plans? Sure tell them you are in school and maybe they can work around your hours. You graduate in May, but what happens if an emergency comes along and you need to withdraw - or god forbid you fail. Until all the grades and hours are in the book nothing is guaranteed. It is a company or facility and not a mom and pop store. The will cut hours, benefits or toss you out in a skinny second to save them pennies. I never understood the whole idea you must give them two weeks or more but they can give you minutes to eliminate a position. Seen it over and over again.

You share too much and you may not get a job and frankly you are not required to make full disclosures. You are providing a service and they are paying you for it.

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Specializes in Reproductive & Public Health.

I am a CNM and moonlight as an RN in LDRP. It is a balance, because if the **** hits the fan, you are held to the level of an APRN in terms of your ability to evaluate the patient, BUT you also cannot act outside the scope you are authorized for. I do not hold privileges at the hospital I work at as an RN, so I cannot diagnose and treat but I still need to evaluate to the full scope of my training.

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I am a CNM and moonlight as an RN in LDRP. It is a balance, because if the **** hits the fan, you are held to the level of an APRN in terms of your ability to evaluate the patient, BUT you also cannot act outside the scope you are authorized for. I do not hold privileges at the hospital I work at as an RN, so I cannot diagnose and treat but I still need to evaluate to the full scope of my training.

That could lead to some interesting conflicts if something where to go the wrong way. Your CNM malpractice would not cover you for working as an RN. The legal implications could be quite juicy. I never really considered any of that and I was contemplating maybe picking up a PRN shift with an agency when I complete my FNP so I could still keep in touch with ICU background.

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Specializes in Family Practice Clinic.

I graduated last May and didn't pass my boards until November ( severe test anxiety). I had to take my test twice. I finally got my license the beginning of this month. I haven't found a job yet, so I am working as an RN until I find one.

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