Should I apply for new grad intern job

[whichone'spink, BSN, RN]

Should I apply for a job that explicitly states that I would be doing CNA work, functioning under the guidelines of my state's Nursing Aide practice act? I am really worried about the legalities of such a job. It's required that I be an RN (which I am), but at the same time, I'm working below my scope. Plus, I wonder about the pay. Would I be paid RN or CNA wages?

[merlee]

I am confused. A facility wants to hire an RN to work as a CNA? They are pulling a fast one here. You would be held to your highest licensure while probably getting an aide's pay. Triple check exactly what they want and expect before you start working for such a place.

[amoLucia]

Merlee, I'm confused, too. I find it hard to believe that ANY facility's risk mgt/legal dept heads (nursing dept heads?) would sanction such a position. Maybe the BON or Dept of Labor needs to review that advertisement.

To whichone - your radar is right on. Personally, I'd stay far, far away from that position. With the amount of info that's been given to us, there's just way too many red flags.

[mikeicurn, ASN, RN]

Should I apply for a job that explicitly states that I would be doing CNA work functioning under the guidelines of my state's Nursing Aide practice act? I am really worried about the legalities of such a job. It's required that I be an RN (which I am), but at the same time, I'm working below my scope. Plus, I wonder about the pay. Would I be paid RN or CNA wages?[/quote']

You would have to contact the facility to get more details. You said this is a new grad intern job. I am assuming that this "doing CNA work" would be part of the internship program and would be for a set time period. I would also assume that while an intern you would make less money, than when you are actually moved into an RN position. I wouldn't necessarily say you would be working "below your scope". The CNA's scope of practice is within the scope of practice of nurses. I work in an ICU, and we have no aids. If John Doe come to me from a nursing home and needs to be repositioned, he is most likely turned by an aid in the nursing home. When I do it, I am not working below my scope, it is part of the scope of practice of nurses.

You are thinking of the scope of practice as being a hierarchy, where the nurse is above the nurse aid. It's more like a series of concentric circles. Where the nurse aid has a small circle of tasks they can perform, the LPN has a larger circle, and the RN has an even larger circle. You cannot work outside of your circle, but you can perform tasks within your circle. Since the RN circle encompasses the LPN and CNA circle you can perform any of those tasks legally. The CNA on the other hand cannot, for example, administer meds, because that is outside their scope or circle.

I hope this helps answer your questions.

Good luck

[whichone'spink, BSN, RN]

I emailed the nurse recruiter for this hospital (which shall not be named, but it's run by a very big for-profit corporation), and I truly hope this is just a try-out position for new grads. If I do well in this intern position, I would be transitioned into a full-fledged RN position. If I don't do so well, then I'll just be let go.