Resource RN/RN Assistant?

Published

Hi people. I'm facing a dilemma and am asking for some advice...

I was recently offered an RN position in ortho/neuro at a small local hospital. Pay isn't that good but its on days 3 12hr shifts. Soon after I was also offered a position at a larger trauma hospital with better pay and in my specialy which is Pediatrics.

The problem is: the Pediatric position is an "RN Resource" position? Uh? Has anyone ever heard of such a position? They told me the position isnt the traditional RN position because I won't have my own team. Instead I will be assisting RN's with tasks that they don't have time to complete. Especially admissions during shift change!

I'm confident I can manage this position but i m afraid that this is a very dispensable position. As in if census is low or there isn't anythng to on the unit that I would be sent home or even worse, the position might be terminated?

Any advice guys? I'm looking for a long term position with a good hospital. My background is 2 years as Pediatric RN.

Thanks!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in school nursing, ortho, trauma.

Sounds almost like a unit i worked on that had a position called 5th nurse who was in charge of ding any spare tasks that you'd put on the list like dressing changes, admissions, foleys, etc. But on my floor the 5th was also usually charge for the shift -so it was a position we all took turns doing.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Certified Med/Surg tele, and other stuff.

Ditto, we had a nurse like that too. She recently left for another dept, so we are looking for a replacement. To me, it seemed like a charge position that picked up the slack for the other nurses. She was never called off, because she did admits and discharges too.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ER.

I tend to agree with you that the resource RN will be the first one called off. I would be wary of this position. I think the 3 daylight 12's sounds better to me personally. Could you work the peds job PRN?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

That's exactly the kind of things the nurse manager explained to me I would be doing...how did you feel about that 5th nurse position FirefightingRN? Was it a needed position?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I don't know much about that position but I would take it if that is the place you want to be. Maybe after working there for awhile they will see your talents and put you in the position you want. At least you will have your foot in the door. Best wishes on whichever you choose.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Ditto, we had a nurse like that too. She recently left for another dept, so we are looking for a replacement. To me, it seemed like a charge position that picked up the slack for the other nurses. She was never called off, because she did admits and discharges too.

Nurse manager states I would also do admits if it got slow...I'm just so worried about getting into that position and turning down the other...then things don't work out for me with the resource nurse position.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

[quote=RN

Thanks for the input :) peds is def where I want to be...another thing is a 600 dollar a month difference in salary. Hours are mon thru fri 4pm-12am

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Cardiac Telemetry, Emergency, SAFE.

My floor also has a similar position called "facilitator" aka charge nurse. :p

They have no patients, do admissions, and generally help out and run the floor for the other nurses. This postion only exists from 7am - 11pm. Night shift is "slower" so we dont need one, but we have had one a few times til 3am and that was nice. They helped with chart checks and midnight meds and etc.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in school nursing, ortho, trauma.
That's exactly the kind of things the nurse manager explained to me I would be doing...how did you feel about that 5th nurse position FirefightingRN? Was it a needed position?

Indeed -very necessary. I was always really happy too when i can into work and saw my name written there. I'd have loved to do that as my full time assignment.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in LTC.

Our floor has a charge nurse who takes no patients and is in charge of the floor, but then the hospital also tends to have two resource nurses on. A med-surg resource and an ICU resource that meander about the different units doing oddball tasks and helping out where needed. The nurses who work this position are floor nurses that are "floated" into it. They are very rarely canceled, but frequently are pulled to a floor to take a patient assignment.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion