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Discussion

RN as PCT???

First if I'm posting in the wrong area of this site i apologize. Background I graduate with in the next few weeks and will be sitting for NCLEX soon hopefully. I was wondering if once i become a RN could one still work as a PCT at another job while working as a nurse?

Reason im asking is I think one day i would like to do the ER(i could go straight as a new grad since our hospital does allow that but i know I'm not ready yet.) Ive only worked the ER as a float tech a few times so i would like to see if i really like the ER in a less demanding role before trying to work it as a RN. It is to late to just do a transfer to the ER as a tech at my current job because than i would have to wait about 3 month to transfer into any RN role anywhere in the hospital due to transfer policy. Currently a ER tech job is open at another hospital i thought about applying to see if i like the ER . My grand idea would be to work full time as a RN at current job and PRN in ER at the other hospital as a tech at the sametime i was wondering if that is possible.

(Not being Rude but before anyone states the obvious yes my main focus is passing NCLEX at the moment)

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    Does your hospital provide a good, thorough orientation to new grads in the ED?

    If so, I think that would be a better choice, then to take a short term job as a PCT in the ED. Being a PCT there will not give you a good idea of what it is like to work as an RN in the ED. Also, I don't recommend anyone work below the scope of their license if they can help it.

    Shadowing an ED nurse would give you a better idea than working as a tech. Maybe you can get permission to do that. I would ask the clinical educator or nurse manager in the ED.

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    My understanding is that this might be affected by the Nursing Practice Act of your state. (Some may allow it while others don't.) This is on top of individual facility policy; an institution may not allow it.

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    Working as a PCT will not give you any idea of what it is like to be an RN in the ER. Your orientation period for new grads will give you the support you need to transition from student to RN.

    I would not take a PCT job, especially if you have an RN license. If anything happened, you would be held to your scope of practice as an RN even though working as a PCT. It would be expected that you know what to do as an RN

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