Patient Care Nurse

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Hi everyone. I just started at a ltc as a GN and until I get my RN they said I would probably be working as a patient care nurse. What exactly does this mean? Has anyone else heard of this term before? Thanks!

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Just means bedside nursing I would assume, what the LPN's do. So you won't be a unit manager nurse or doing intake assessments ( at least that's what the RN's do in LTC in my state). I could very well be wrong though!

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Specializes in Acute Care, Rehab, Palliative.

I have seen it used to mean you will be basically working as an aide.

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hmmm I know I can't give meds until I pass the NCLEX and pass a med orientation for three days.. whatever, I'll be an aide for RN pay if they want me to :) I am thinking I will be shadowing someone and helping with treatments and learning documentation, assessments, etc. as well though. I was hired to be the assistant unit manager so I can't imagine they will only be having me make beds, etc. until I take the NCLEX next month. But i'm easy, so if that is the case that's ok too :) Thanks for the responses.

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Specializes in ICU, CM, Geriatrics, Management.

Could be any darn thing.

Some larger LTCs have been known to come up with crazy b_tt titles that no one knows what they mean.

Ask for the job spec. That may help.

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Specializes in retired LTC.
I have seen it used to mean you will be basically working as an aide.
Most likely.

You will probably not be allowed to actually perform any tasks that require a license. Otherwise, you'd be ' practicing nursing without a license'.

And a word of advice - be careful that you don't step over that boundary. You may have the skills, but not the license! And you want to be helpful, but some employers may just take advantage of that!

Some other disgruntled employee/family may blow the whistle, and you'd be done even before you started!

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Specializes in ICU.

I guess things have changed since I was a nursing graduate. We could give meds and anything else during the time we graduated and then took boards. Of course, if we failed state boards, we were then no longer considered a temporary RN, and could not perform as one until we attempted boards again, and passed. Our name badge has "TRN" on it, meaning Temporary RN, but we could do anything any other "real" RN could do. I worked as a charge nurse in a hospital for at least 10 weeks with that TRN, until I took boards!

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Specializes in Hospice.

if you can't give meds then im sure they will have you working as a cna.

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Specializes in retired LTC.

Rethinking everything after PP post, perhaps checking with your state's BON would be the best idea. Things vary so much from state to state, so they would be THE definitive source on what you may or may not do.

One other thing - just be clear with your employer re your wages during that interim time. If you're restricted from doing RN duties, your employer may not pay you as an RN. Just so you're clear and not surprised with your first check!

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