Nuse Tech to RN transition and Orientation

paccookie · Jan 10, 2008

Stop worrying about it and enjoy your new position. It's not your problem that they haven't filled your old position or are understaffed in CNAs/nurse techs/whatever. They may harbor some resentment towards you during the transitional period, but they will get over it. You do have the right to move on. Don't let someone else's attitude hold you back. Congrats on getting your RN!

RNroseshea · Jan 10, 2008

I would not worry about the techs/CNAs if I were you because you have a new position and you need to learn the important basics to protect your license during this transition. Help out when you can, but if you are busy, tell them so. Also, I did not accept the position as RN on the floor where I had worked as a student nurse associate because I figured that there would be future problems with the role transition. Some of the nurses/CNAs may have expected me to keep helping them in the way that I did as SNA.

Good luck

Blee O'Myacin, BSN, RN · Jan 10, 2008

I recently graduated from RN school. I have my temporary license, and will take NCLEX the end of FEb. My problem is transitioning to RN from tech. I have been a CNA since 2000, and a Nurse Tech for 1 year. Now, I am orientating as an RN and trying to learn what is expected of me on my floor. The problem is, I am working on the same floor I was a tech and CNA on. The CNA's and floor secretary don't understand why I can't just drop what I am doing and go help with the aide work. I am torn, between helping them, and learning my new position.
Part of me wants to just jump in and help, but part of me feels like if I leave the RN that is trying to orientate me, I am not going to get the info I need to do my new job. If it is a safety issue, I do go and help. If someone needs to go to the bathroom, I try to go and help. But I have drawn a line with things like getting ice and blankets.
Any advice for a new nurse/old aide?

It's hard enough being a new nurse. Being a new nurse who is expected to function in your former capacity as a CNA is unsafe. However, you need to make yourself clear that you are busy doing something else and will help when you have the time. This behavior of your former peers is troubling, especially when it comes time for you to delegate to them. Talk to your preceptor as well, but at the end of the day, you are the one who has to set new limits.

Congrats on graduating nursing school and good luck on the NCLEX!

Blee

locolorenzo22, BSN, RN · Jan 10, 2008

That's part of the problem....However, YOU are now the RN....that means you are responsible for a lot more than just ice/blankets...If you're in the room, and patient asks you for blankets/ice/bathroom/etc...then by all means do that for them..don't be above doing hands on tasks for the CNAs...but make them understand that YOU are now supervising them and have to do a lot more in addition to your old duties....some techs won't understand, but if they were good techs and good co-workers they should....

BTW, to any other grads working on their floor....this is a common problem...part of the reason why my school won't let us capstone on the floors we work on....just makes sense to me.

wonderbee, BSN, RN · Jan 11, 2008

One way to break that cycle would be for you to ask them for their assistance. There will be talk but if you want to function as an RN on that floor, you gotta do what you gotta do. They'll get over it and you will have a smoother orientation and transition. You won't have time to do their job and yours too.