Quitting a nurse tech position...

LoriAlabamaRN · Jan 25, 2006

If I were you, I would ask for a meeting with the human resources coordinator and explain your situation just as you have here. I would probably emphasize the fact that you need to concentrate on school now but that you are interested in working for the hospital after you graduate. Hospitals are usually thirsting for RNs, and are willing to work with you. Good luck!!!

NurseLatteDNP, MSN, DNP, RN · Jan 25, 2006

This could have been my post. I did the same thing. I became a Nurse Tech, so I can learn my skills. I am only scheduled as a Nurse Aide in different units. But what I have learned to do, is tell the charge nurse to call me if she/he is doing any skills (IV, NG tube, Foley, Trach care....). Most of the time they were not even aware that I am in nursing school and allowed to do those things. So maybe you can just let them know.

TexasPediRN · Jan 25, 2006

Unfortunantly, RN's do not train CNA's.

I'm sorry that you feel how you do, but I would recommend doing what LoriAlabamaRN said in her post, talk with either you manager or human resources and just let them know whats going on. Or I would switch to working PRN, as you can choose the days you wanted to work, without quitting. Therefore if you cant work a certain day, you dont.

I'm curious though as to what kind of opportunities you were under the impression you were getting when you took this job?

If you had taken a job as a student nurse intern, that job would train you by a nurse, and you would be "under the nurses wing". I think that might have been what you were looking for in the first place..

I do think you can learn a lot from being a CNA though, and I think the skils you learn better you for when you graduate. The most important thing you can learn- Caring for your patients, time management, working with others, and just patient care. I worked as a student nurse aide for 1 1/2 years before graduation, and I cant tell you how much I learned during that time and how well it prepared me to be the nurse that I am today.

Best of luck to you

Meghan :nurse:

RazorbackRN, BSN, RN · Jan 25, 2006

Unfortunantly, RN's do not train CNA's.
I'm sorry that you feel how you do, but I would recommend doing what LoriAlabamaRN said in her post, talk with either you manager or human resources and just let them know whats going on. Or I would switch to working PRN, as you can choose the days you wanted to work, without quitting. Therefore if you cant work a certain day, you dont.
I'm curious though as to what kind of opportunities you were under the impression you were getting when you took this job?
If you had taken a job as a student nurse intern, that job would train you by a nurse, and you would be "under the nurses wing". I think that might have been what you were looking for in the first place..
I do think you can learn a lot from being a CNA though, and I think the skils you learn better you for when you graduate. The most important thing you can learn- Caring for your patients, time management, working with others, and just patient care. I worked as a student nurse aide for 1 1/2 years before graduation, and I cant tell you how much I learned during that time and how well it prepared me to be the nurse that I am today.
Best of luck to you
Meghan

I was not hired as a CNA, I was hired as a student nurse tech (which is the equivalent of the position you spoke of). There lies my frustration, as according to the job description, I am to work alongside an RN.

TexasPediRN · Jan 25, 2006

I was not hired as a CNA, I was hired as a student nurse tech (which is the equivalent of the position you spoke of). There lies my frustration, as according to the job description, I am to work alongside an RN.

Ah, I see. Now i completely understand your frustration.

When I worked as a student nurse aide, I was trained by the aide on the floor at that time, but as I became close with the nurses, they showed me a lot of things. But, thats how it was stated in my job description (train with an aide)

If yours states that you are to work with a RN, I would say something, as this is what you were hired to do. CNA's can show you basic things, but most arent students. Students can do more, and should if thats what your job description states.

I would talk with your manager, or human resources, and let them know whats going on. Please let me know what happens! If they dont do anything, is there another hospital close to you that you might be willing to work at instead of this one?

-Meghan

sjt9721, BSN, RN · Jan 25, 2006

..... But what I have learned to do, is tell the charge nurse to call me if she/he is doing any skills (IV, NG tube, Foley, Trach care....). Most of the time they were not even aware that I am in nursing school and allowed to do those things. ...

I agree that you should communicate with the nurses on your unit. Let them know that you're in school and want to see/learn/do as much as possible. Be sure that you and the nurses understand what your job description will allow you to do. Just because you have learned a task in school does not automatically 'clear' you to perform it in the work setting. You are still unlicensed and a nurse must delegate tasks to you.

Working as a CNA/tech can be a tough job, but we've all been there. I do believe my unlicensed work experience helped make me a better nurse. And remember that nursing is not only about duties and tasks, but also requires observation, prioritization, and interpersonal skills. What you can 'absorb' from the environment while completing CNA duties can be invaluable!

Good luck to you!

CarVsTree · Jan 26, 2006

Don't get me wrong, I don't have a problem doing CNA duties, but that isn't why I took the job. I was already pretty proficient at performing the particular duties that I now am being assigned. I was looking for a broader experience that I guess I can't get at this place.

What was the job description? Because Techs/CNA's work alongside of the RN. Was the job description that you would pass meds, do assessments, etc. under the supervision of an RN?

I would stay as long as you were not lied to. Perhaps you misunderstood or perhaps HR mislead you. I would not want to work there as a tech or nurse if they did a bait and switch. However, if it was a simple misunderstanding, I would do the tech work. It will help you with organization, time management, and experience with patients. I've learned more as a tech than I did in nursing school. I am very happy that I was a tech for 1.5 years before becoming a nurse. In addition, I recently calculated that in the past year working night shift, I've done approximately 600 phlebotomy sticks. This has helped me A LOT with starting IV's. Don't know if techs do phleb at your facility, but its been great practice for me.

In addition, 12 hours/month is not a lot of time away from your studies, that does not sound like a valid reason to quit. I worked full time as a tech, FT nursing school and mom and wife.... Whew, glad I'm done though.

Anyway, I cannot put into words how great this experience has been in helping me in my transition to the RN role. I don't regret it for a second.

Someone should do a study to see if techs make better nurses LOL! I probably shouldn't be opening that can of worms... :nono:

NurseLatteDNP, MSN, DNP, RN · Jan 26, 2006

Just because you have learned a task in school does not automatically 'clear' you to perform it in the work setting.

You are right, I am not automatically clear to perform the tasks, but if you are hired as a Nurse Tech (only RN students can be one where I work), you get a check off sheet, that you have to complete before you graduate. That is really nice, since we get to practice more. That includes all the skills like IVs, foileys....But a lot of nurses are not aware of that until I let them know.

Katnip, RN · Jan 26, 2006

Neither hospital I worked at had nurses precept techs. Other techs did that.

i'd definitely check your job description. If HR didn't give you a copy during your hospital orientation, you should be able to ask them for one.

w121jld · Jan 26, 2006

I am an Ob tech at hospital near my university, and a lot of times they are very helpful and encouraging about allowing mw to practice my skills. At first, I hated the position because I felt that it insulted my intelligence, but if when I let the staff know that I was a student.

AuntieRN · Jan 26, 2006

I am a tech at the hospital. So far the nurses have been wonderful once they found out I was in nursing school. They let me do all kinds of procedures. All you have to do is ask. I have learned that for the most part especially the nurses who are fairly new themselves love to teach. I also watch any procedure being done. I feel that being a tech has helped me a lot. I was also a CNA for 20 years.

The nurses I work with even help me out with my homework. I work nights 7p-7a so when we are slow they also remind me...don't you have some studying to do? LOL...they keep my right on track. I think it is a wonderful experience and it pays the bills. I work in the flex pool 2 nights a week. I work every Friday and Saturday night. I get my hours in in 2 days instead of the 5 or 6 nights I was working delivering pizzas. I wish you good luck and hope you decide to continue with being a tech. I feel you can learn a lot even if it is just watching and asking questions.