SHHHHH, dont tell anyone I'm a RN

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For the past four years I have worked as a CNA putting myself through school and I can officially say I am a RN. However-a few months ago my manager told me that I had to tell him immeadiately after passing my boards because I could not work for my organization as a tech if I'm a license nurse. I checked with my state BON and it says I can but I'm still avoiding him because I need my job. My nurse residency doesnt start for another month (at another location) and I still have bills to pay. Whats worst is that my co workers have been asking me, so I have been honest and tell them that I passed my boards but some of them have gone out of their way to question how do I still have a job as a tech where as the organization usually let techs go once they become nurses who are not staying with the company. I also wanted to stay with the same organization to earn some extra money prn because I'm sure I will not be eliegible for overtime for months at the new Hospital. I'm so confused right now because it's like I have to hide the fact I'm a nurse to justify my needs for survival.

In Ohio you can work as whatever until the first day you work as an official RN. At that point you can not work at a lower level. I had this issue when I went from RCIS to RN

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Here is a tip: Never trust co workers to keep secrets. Also please try to remember RN's are held to high ethical standards. You are not getting off to a good start for those standards with your employer. It doesnt matter if anyone from this site agrees with the company policy or not. Contact your supervisor immediately and let him know you are an RN and see if they can help you out. When I was working as HHA after becoming RN, it was only acceptable that no one knew I was an RN that I worked with so that no one could look at me with the idea that I had capability to provide RN care. By telling your co workers, you now can be looked at by them to provide RN level care. You may be called upon in a situation that places your employer at liability. You are risking everyone's jobs by only thinking of yourself. Go somewhere else to work as aides are high demand. I asked my landlord for extension to pay my rent. He let me postpone payment. It got me through. You will get through this. Go to local churches or charities for interim assistance. Dont be too proud. Donate to them when you are stable down the road.

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Specializes in Surgical, CVICU & Oncology, Med/Surg.
Barbie8808 said:
Maybe I did not type it correctly. My manager has not shown me ANY policy related to this matter. I even search myself and I couldn't find anything

Even better, so just be open with her. I was also wondering why a nurse residency? Even if it's a specialty...As someone who was a CNA for 4 years you have more hospital experience than a lot of new grad RNs...why not just apply as a new grad RN & earn new grad RN money rather than residency since you sound like you have some concerns with money now. The orientation you get will be sufficient. Will you be getting paid RN market value during this residency? I've seen people who start off brand new in the field with no prior hospital or healthcare experience; starting right after school as RNs, no residency, just the 8-12wks orientation. I was one of them- couldn't even turn on a bed alarm, LOL, but a good preceptor, 8wks orientation (12wks ICU) & a good team will get you on the right track. Don't lose money, especially if you need it, doing a residency program unless you're still getting paid the market value. But just a tip. I believe you can start right out as a RN without a residency program, just a few weeks RN orientation & preceptorship.

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I am a nurse and a nurse is a highly paid tech anyway because we do what techs do and much more so no problem. In your case, you will make more than twice as a nurse intern as you were making as a tech. Not ignoring the fact that you probably have a school loan to start paying, you will still be okay. Congratulations on your hard work and achievement

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Specializes in OB.
dianearc said:
Even better, so just be open with her. I was also wondering why a nurse residency? Even if it's a specialty...As someone who was a CNA for 4 years you have more hospital experience than a lot of new grad RNs...why not just apply as a new grad RN & earn new grad RN money rather than residency since you sound like you have some concerns with money now. The orientation you get will be sufficient. Will you be getting paid RN market value during this residency? I've seen people who start off brand new in the field with no prior hospital or healthcare experience; starting right after school as RNs, no residency, just the 8-12wks orientation. I was one of them- couldn't even turn on a bed alarm, LOL, but a good preceptor, 8wks orientation (12wks ICU) & a good team will get you on the right track. Don't lose money, especially if you need it, doing a residency program unless you're still getting paid the market value. But just a tip. I believe you can start right out as a RN without a residency program, just a few weeks RN orientation & preceptorship.

A nurse residency doesn't necessarily mean different pay than a regular new grad. I was paid my regular rate from day one of my year long residency, and I know that my hospital was in no way unique for that. Most places just refer to their structured new grad orientation program as a "residency."

OP, I think you have maybe sent yourself up a creek by sharing the info that you've passed the boards with coworkers. I would just keep on keeping on until your new job starts, and if confronted by your manager at this job prior to starting the new one, be prepared to face the consequences.

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Specializes in Surgical, CVICU & Oncology, Med/Surg.
LibraSunCNM said:
A nurse residency doesn't necessarily mean different pay than a regular new grad. I was paid my regular rate from day one of my year long residency, and I know that my hospital was in no way unique for that. Most places just refer to their structured new grad orientation program as a "residency."

OP, I think you have maybe sent yourself up a creek by sharing the info that you've passed the boards with coworkers. I would just keep on keeping on until your new job starts, and if confronted by your manager at this job prior to starting the new one, be prepared to face the consequences.

Ah, I see. Different states different rules. Nurse residencies are non-paid (market value) in my area, NYC & even northern NJ area. So new grads just seek new grad RN employment.

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Specializes in OB.
dianearc said:
Ah, I see. Different states different rules. Nurse residencies are non-paid (market value) in my area, NYC & even northern NJ area. So new grads just seek new grad RN employment.

Really? Weird! NYC was where I did my residency. However I just passed my 10 year anniversary as a nurse (sniff, sniff! I feel so old), so the landscape has obviously changed a bit!

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Specializes in 15 years in ICU, 22 years in PACU.
Barbie8808 said:

For the past four years I have worked as a CNA putting myself through school and I can officially say I am a RN. However-a few months ago my manager told me that I had to tell him immediately after passing my boards because I could not work for my organization as a tech if I'm a license nurse. I checked with my state BON and it says I can but I'm still avoiding him because I need my job. My nurse residency doesn't start for another month (at another location) and I still have bills to pay. Whats worst is that my co workers have been asking me, so I have been honest and tell them that I passed my boards but some of them have gone out of their way to question how do I still have a job as a tech where as the organization usually let techs go once they become nurses who are not staying with the company. I also wanted to stay with the same organization to earn some extra money PRN because I'm sure I will not be eligible for overtime for months at the new Hospital. I'm so confused right now because it's like I have to hide the fact I'm a nurse to justify my needs for survival.

This says it all.

The state BON is NOT your employer!

Why would a manager want to put his job at risk when he has given you ample time to follow a legal and ethical directive. You can't be trusted. You are sneaking around behind his back and after having "honestly" blabbed your situation to co-workers, he will find out (without having to look it up on NurSys) and have even less respect for you. And you think they would let you stay to earn extra money????

What a terrible way to start a career. You are going to need more than luck.

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Mavrick said:
This says it all.

The state BON is NOT your employer!

Why would a manager want to put his job at risk when he has given you ample time to follow a legal and ethical directive. You can't be trusted. You are sneaking around behind his back and after having "honestly" blabbed your situation to co-workers, he will find out (without having to look it up on NurSys) and have even less respect for you. And you think they would let you stay to earn extra money????

What a terrible way to start a career. You are going to need more than luck.

LOL I guess I'll just forfeit my license since I cannot be trusted you are so right thank you

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Specializes in school nurse.
Barbie8808 said:
LOL I guess I'll just forfeit my license since I cannot be trusted you are so right thank you

If you're a troll, get a life. If you're really a new grad in this situation, the above statement is true. With a glib attitude like this you shouldn't practice. (And yes, I get the sarcasm.)

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Barbie8808 said:
LOL I guess I'll just forfeit my license since I cannot be trusted you are so right thank you

You can make light of this all you like, but what Mavrick says is true. You are being intentionally dishonest with your employer, contrary to your supervisor's previous, explicit request; clearly, you can't be trusted if being dishonest will benefit you. If your situation gets found out, it's not going to go well for you. And it doesn't say much, as I said earlier, for your honesty or your ethics. Not a promising way to start a nursing career.

(I see Jednurse beat me to it.)

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Ok wait..... You are newly licensed in a different state as an RN and working in another state as a CNA? I am unclear why your boss would need to fire you if you are not licensed as an RN in the state in which you are working. Tell your boss but ask to see the policy or call HR. I actually know many nurses who work the last few weeks as a CNA before their residency starts. They used to do GN orientation but that isn't common anymore. However your case is different anyway in that if you are not licensed in that state anyway. Talk to your boss that is the best thing.

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